Inflammatory links between obesity and metabolic disease

J Clin Invest. 2011 Jun;121(6):2111-7. doi: 10.1172/JCI57132. Epub 2011 Jun 1.

Abstract

The obesity epidemic has forced us to evaluate the role of inflammation in the health complications of obesity. This has led to a convergence of the fields of immunology and nutrient physiology and the understanding that they are inextricably linked. The reframing of obesity as an inflammatory condition has had a wide impact on our conceptualization of obesity-associated diseases. In this Review, we highlight the cellular and molecular mechanisms at play in the generation of obesity-induced inflammation. We also emphasize how defining the immune regulation in metabolic tissues has broadened the understanding of the diversity of inflammatory responses.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acute-Phase Proteins / physiology
  • Adipose Tissue / physiopathology
  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use
  • Cytokines / physiology
  • Disease Progression
  • Energy Metabolism / physiology
  • Fibrosis
  • Humans
  • Hypothalamus / physiopathology
  • Inflammation / drug therapy
  • Inflammation / etiology
  • Inflammation / immunology
  • Inflammation / physiopathology*
  • Leukocytes / physiology
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Macrophages / physiology
  • Metabolic Diseases / drug therapy
  • Metabolic Diseases / etiology
  • Metabolic Diseases / physiopathology*
  • Models, Biological
  • Muscle, Skeletal / metabolism
  • Obesity / complications
  • Obesity / drug therapy
  • Obesity / immunology
  • Obesity / physiopathology*
  • Organ Specificity
  • Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors / physiology

Substances

  • Acute-Phase Proteins
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Cytokines
  • Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors