Obesity-induced inflammatory changes in adipose tissue.
Obesity is associated with a state of chronic, low-grade inflammation. Two manuscripts in this issue of the JCI (see the related articles beginning on pages 1796 and 1821) now report that obese adipose tissue is characterized by macrophage infiltration and that these macrophages are an important source of inflammation in this tissue. These studies prompt consideration of new models to include a major role for macrophages in the molecular changes that occur in adipose tissue in obesity.
Wellen
Kathryn E
KE
Department of Genetics and Complex Diseases, Harvard School Of Public Health, 665 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
Hotamisligil
Gokhan S
GS
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D005075:Biological Evolution; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation; D008264:Macrophages / Q000378:metabolism; D008954:Models, Biological; D009765:Obesity / Q000378:metabolism; D014158:Transcription, Genetic