Neutrophil activation in morbid obesity, chronic activation of acute inflammation.
Recent studies show that morbid obesity is associated with activation of the innate immune response. Neutrophil activation is a fundamental process in the innate immune response. Therefore, the activation state of neutrophils in severely obese subjects and the effect of bariatric surgery on neutrophil activation was evaluated. Neutrophil activation was assessed by measuring circulating concentrations of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and calprotectin in 37 severely obese and 9 control subjects (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). Moreover, membrane expression of CD66b on circulating neutrophils was measured using flow cytometry in a group of seven severely obese and six control subjects. Immunohistochemical detection of MPO was performed in adipose and muscle tissue. Plasma MPO and calprotectin levels were significantly increased in severely obese subjects as compared to healthy controls, 27.1 +/- 10.8 vs. 17.3 +/- 5.5 ng/ml (P < 0.001) and 115.5 +/- 43.5 vs. 65.1 +/- 23.1 ng/ml (P < 0.001) for MPO and calprotectin, respectively. In line, CD66b expression was significantly increased in severely obese individuals, 177.3 +/- 43.7 vs. 129.7 +/- 9.2 (mean fluorescence intensity) (P < 0.01). Bariatric surgery resulted in decreased calprotectin, but MPO plasma levels remained elevated. Adipose and muscle tissue did not contain increased numbers of MPO expressing cells in severely obese individuals. These results point out that circulating neutrophils are activated to a greater extent in severely obese subjects. Our data support the finding that the innate immune system is activated in severely obese individuals. Moreover, because neutrophils have a short life span, this indicates that the chronic inflammatory condition associated with morbid obesity is characterized by a continuous activation of the innate immune system.
Nijhuis
Jeroen
J
Nutrition and Toxicology Research Institute Maastricht (NUTRIM), Department of General Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Rensen
Sander S
SS
Slaats
Yanti
Y
van Dielen
Francois M H
FM
Buurman
Wim A
WA
Greve
Jan Willem M
JW
D000328:Adult; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000378:metabolism; D050110:Bariatric Surgery; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000378:metabolism; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D058851:GPI-Linked Proteins; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D050152:Intra-Abdominal Fat / Q000098:blood supply / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D039841:Leukocyte L1 Antigen Complex / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000098:blood supply / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D018375:Neutrophil Activation; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000378:metabolism; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology* / Q000601:surgery; D009195:Peroxidase / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D055815:Young Adult
D015703:Antigens, CD; D015415:Biomarkers; C504120:CEACAM8 protein, human; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D058851:GPI-Linked Proteins; D039841:Leukocyte L1 Antigen Complex; D009195:Peroxidase