CD44, a cell-surface glycoprotein, has long been studied as a cancer molecule due to its essential role in physiological activities in normal cells and pathological activities in cancer cells, such as cell proliferation, adhesion, and migration; angiogenesis; inflammation; and cytoskeleton rearrangement. Yet, recent evidence suggests a role of CD44 in metabolism, especially insulin resistance in obesity and diabetes. In line with the current concept of fibroinflammation in obesity and insulin resistance, CD44 as the main receptor of the extracellular matrix component, hyaluronan (HA), has been shown to regulate diet-induced insulin resistance in muscle and other insulin-sensitive tissues. In this review, we integrate current evidence for a role of CD44 in regulating glucose and lipid homeostasis and speculate about its involvement in the pathogenesis of chronic metabolic diseases, including obesity and diabetes. We summarize the current development of CD44-targeted therapies and discuss its potential for the use in treating metabolic diseases.

CD44 是一种细胞表面糖蛋白，由于其在正常细胞的生理活动和癌细胞的病理活动（如细胞增殖、粘附和迁移）中的重要作用，长期以来一直作为癌症分子进行研究；血管生成；炎; 和细胞骨架重排。然而，最近的证据表明 CD44 在新陈代谢中的作用，尤其是肥胖和糖尿病中的胰岛素抵抗。与肥胖和胰岛素抵抗中的纤维炎症的当前概念一致，CD44 作为细胞外基质成分透明质酸 (HA) 的主要受体，已被证明可调节肌肉和其他胰岛素敏感组织中饮食诱导的胰岛素抵抗。在本次审查中，我们整合了 CD44 在调节葡萄糖和脂质体内平衡中的作用的现有证据，并推测其参与包括肥胖和糖尿病在内的慢性代谢疾病的发病机制。我们总结了 CD44 靶向疗法的当前发展，并讨论了其在治疗代谢疾病中的潜力。