Experiments Have Been Designed to Assess the Effects of a Novel

Experiments have been designed to assess the effects of a novel drug on the inflammatory responses of adipose tissue in laboratory mice. Addition of the drug to the diet of the mice demonstrates a clear reduction in the production and release of pro-inflammatory cytokines from adipose tissue. This experimental drug is most likely inhibiting the action of which of the following leading to the observed results?

A) adiponectin
B) leptin
C) monocyte chemotactic protein-1, MCP-1
D) vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, VCAM-1
E) vascular endothelial cell growth factor, VEGF