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. 2021 Feb 10;22(4):1763. doi: 10.3390/ijms22041763

Table 1.

Summary of free fatty acid (FFA) receptor expression profile and biological functions.

Receptor Major Coupling Proteins Major Expression Sites Main Function
FFAR1 Gαq/11
Gαi/o
Gαs
Gα12/13
β-arrestin
Pancreas (β-cells)
Intestine (L, K, I cells)
Bone
Central nervous system
Immune cells (Monocytes)
Insulin secretion
Gut hormone secretion
Bone remodeling
Pain perception
Macrophage M2 differentiation
FFAR2 Gαq/11
Gαi/o
Gα12/13
β-arrestin
PMNs (Neutrophils, Eosinophils)
Lymphocytes
Monocytes
Pancreas (β-cells)
Intestine (L cells, IECs)
White adipose tissue
Immune cell activation
Treg expansion
Cytokine secretion
Insulin release
Gut hormone secretion, immune-modulatory
Reduction in lipolysis, lipid accumulation, and insulin resistance
FFAR3 Gαi/o
β-arrestin
Peripheral nervous system
Pancreas (β-cell)
Intestine (L, K cells)
Immune tissue (DCs, thymus)
Increase in heart rate, energy expenditure, reduction of gut motility
Inhibition of insulin secretion
Gut hormone release
Decrease Th2 response, increase Treg differentiation
FFAR4 Gαq/11
Gαi/o
β-arrestin
Adipose tissue
Macrophages
Lung
Intestine (K, I cells)
Bone
Differentiation, browning
Anti-inflammatory
Epithelial repair
Gut hormone release
Bone formation
GPR84 Gαi/o
β-arrestin
Immune cells (Neutrophils, Eosinophils, macrophages)
Lung, Liver, Muscle, and Adipose tissues
Proinflammatory cell responses