NAMPT

Pre-B-cell colony-enhancing factor (PBEF), also known as visfatin, is an adipocytokine found in high levels in visceral fat. It exerts insulin-mimetic effects by binding to and activating the insulin receptor, contributing to metabolic processes. PBEF was initially discovered as a cytokine involved in B-cell differentiation and was later recognized for its role in inhibiting neutrophil apoptosis in sepsis. Although PBEF lacks a signal sequence, it is secreted and involved in regulating inflammatory responses. In addition to its role in inflammation, PBEF/visfatin has been implicated in the pathophysiology of labor, colorectal cancer, and cell cycle regulation. Intracellularly, PBEF/visfatin functions as a cytosolic enzyme crucial for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) synthesis, particularly important for vascular smooth muscle cell maturation. This review summarizes the broad functions and pathophysiological implications of PBEF/visfatin, emphasizing its potential involvement in various diseases and its evolutionary conservation across species.