Adipocytes and Macrophages: two engines powering inflammation in obesity and its complications
JAVIER CONDE1, RODOLFO GÓMEZ1, MORENA SCOTECE1, GIUSEPPE BIANCO1, FRANCISCA LAGO2, AND ORESTE GUALILLO1
1Research laboratory 9 (NEIRID LAB: Neuroendocrine Interactions in Rheumatology and Inflammation Disease), Institute of Medical Research (IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, 2Research Laboratory 7 (Molecular and Cellular Cardiology), Institute of Medical Research (IDIS), Santiago University Clinical Hospital, Santiago de Compostela, Spain

Up to the discovery of leptin in 1994, white adipose tissue (WAT) was considered only an energy storage organ. However, in the last years, several proteic factors have been isolated from WAT revealing intriguing endocrine/paracrine/autocrine activities, i.e.,WAT is involved in appetite modulation, immunity, reproductive system, bone metabolism, inflammation and energy expenditure. Obesity is characterized by a low chronic inflammatory state that contributed to the deleterious consequences of this pandemic disease that arise from several factors, including over-production of inflammatory mediators, hypoxia and macrophage infiltration. To note, low chronic inflammation state and hypoxia in obese subjects might be the major contributors for macrophage infiltration in adipose tissue. Noteworthy, it is an active crosstalk between adipocytes, preadipocytes and macrophages which results in a perpetuation of pro-inflammatory response. In line with this, pro-inflammatory cytokines and macrophages can be considered relevant factors involved in obesity-related disorders such as insulin insensitivity, type 2 diabetes and atherosclerosis. This short review will summarize some of the recent studies that have advanced our understanding of the main mechanisms that are at play in many serious, obesity-related comorbid diseases: systemic inflammation initiated in white adipose tissue and macrophages invasion and activation. Obesity and Metabolism 2010; 6: 5-9.

[« Back] [Not subscriber] [Subscriber] [Order printable]