Role of brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression in peripheral tissues

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is highly expressed in the CNS and contributes to expressing a variety of neural functions including memory consolidation. Here, using a novel transgenic mouse strain, termed BDNF-Luc mouse, I found that BDNF was also expressed in peripheral tissues such as skin (keratinocytes) and adipose tissue. Interestingly, BDNF expression in adipose tissue was robustly induced by high fat diet. The induction of BDNF in adipose tissue was well corresponded with the increase in body weight. These results suggested that BDNF expressed in adipose tissue would be related to pathological obesity and BDNF might be a therapeutic target for pathological obesity.