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Review
. 2017 Jul:72:120-143.
doi: 10.1016/j.metabol.2017.04.005. Epub 2017 Apr 18.

Macrophage functions in lean and obese adipose tissue

Dylan Thomas  1 , Caroline Apovian  2
Affiliations
Review

Macrophage functions in lean and obese adipose tissue

Dylan Thomas et al. Metabolism. 2017 Jul.

Abstract

Interactions between macrophages and adipocytes influence both metabolism and inflammation. Obesity-induced changes to macrophages and adipocytes lead to chronic inflammation and insulin resistance. This paper reviews the various functions of macrophages in lean and obese adipose tissue and how obesity alters adipose tissue macrophage phenotypes. Metabolic disease and insulin resistance shift the balance between numerous pro- and anti-inflammatory regulators of macrophages and create a feed-forward loop of increasing inflammatory macrophage activation and worsening adipocyte dysfunction. This ultimately leads to adipose tissue fibrosis and diabetes. The molecular mechanisms underlying these processes have therapeutic implications for obesity, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes.

Keywords: Adipose; Fibrosis; Inflammation; Insulin; Macrophage; Obesity.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure Statement: Dylan Thomas discloses no conflicts (DT).

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Monocyte differentiation into adipose tissue M1 and M2 macrophages is regulated by cytokines and adipokines.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Macrophage infiltration during obesity is associated with hypoxia and increased M1 activation with adipocyte necrosis and crown-like structure formation that results in adipose tissue fibrosis.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Consequences of overnutrition on adipose tissue, inflammation, and metabolism
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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