Context: The chemoattractant protein chemerin has recently been shown to be expressed in adipose tissue.

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the association of chemerin with obesity and early-onset metabolic and vascular sequelae in children.

Design: We quantified chemerin serum levels in 69 lean and 105 obese children and assessed associations with metabolic and cardiovascular parameters. In addition, a potential direct effect of chemerin on the expression of endothelial adhesion molecules and cell viability was assessed in human coronary artery endothelial cells in vitro.

Results: Chemerin concentrations were significantly higher in obese compared to lean children and correlated with obesity-related parameters such as body mass index sd score, leptin, and skinfold thickness. Moreover, we identified significant associations with the measures of inflammation high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and white blood cell count, as well as with the markers of endothelial activation intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and E-selectin. Multiple regression analyses confirmed chemerin as the strongest predictor of ICAM-1 and E-selectin independent of body mass index sd score. Likewise, on the cellular level, chemerin induced ICAM-1 and E-selectin expression in endothelial cells in vitro, whereas VCAM-1 and eNOS expression and endothelial cell viability were unaffected.

Conclusion: Our results suggest an association of chemerin with obesity and inflammatory and endothelial activation markers and support a role for chemerin as a molecular link between increasing fat mass and an early atherogenic risk profile in obese children.