Description
Pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) is a 47kDa secreted glycoprotein that belongs to the non-inhibitory serpin family group. PEDF is widely expressed in adult and fetal tissues, including brain, spinal cord, plasma, bone, prostate, pancreas, heart and lung. PEDF acts as an angiogenesis inhibitor with neurotrophic, immunomodulation and antitumor properties. It functions as anti-angiogenic agent by counterbalancing the proangiogenic effect of VEGF. PEDF is one of the most abundant proteins released by adipocytes and induces insulin resistance in adipocytes and human skeletal muscle cells. Recently, it has been reported that PEDF is sufficient to maintain the self-renewal of pluripotent human embryonic stem cells