title: Adipose tissue macrophages.
abstract: It is now broadly accepted that low-grade chronic inflammation associated with obesity leads to the onset of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Obesity-associated inflammation is characterized by an increased abundance of macrophages in adipose tissue along with production of inflammatory cytokines. Adipose tissue macrophages (ATMs) are suspected to be the major source of inflammatory mediators such as TNF-alpha and IL-6 that interfere with adipocyte function by inhibiting insulin action. However, ATMs phenotypically resemble alternatively activated (M2) macrophages and are capable of anti-inflammatory mediator production challenging the concept that ATMs are simply the "bad guys" in obese adipose tissue. Triggers promoting ATM recruitment, ATM functions and dysfunctions, and stimuli and molecular mechanisms that drive them into becoming detrimental to their environment are subject to current research. Strategies to interfere with ATM recruitment and adverse activation could give rise to novel options for treatment and prevention of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus.
authors: Department of Internal Medicine III, Clin. Div. Endocrinology and Metabolism, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, A-1090 Vienna, Austria.
authors: Maximilian
authors: M
authors: Zeyda
authors: Thomas M
authors: TM
authors: Stulnig
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D000818:Animals; D002908:Chronic Disease; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000378:metabolism*; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008262:Macrophage Activation; D008264:Macrophages / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008820:Mice, Obese; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D047495:PPAR gamma / Q000172:deficiency / Q000378:metabolism; D015434:Panniculitis / Q000150:complications*
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D047495:PPAR gamma