title: IL-17 in obesity and adipogenesis.
abstract: The pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-17 (also known as IL-17) has been associated with induction of tissue inflammation. Obese individuals exhibit many symptoms of chronic low-grade inflammation, suggesting that IL-17 may impact adipose tissue. However, the role of IL-17 in obesity is largely unexplored. Emerging studies indicate that obesity selectively promotes expansion of the Th17 T-cell lineage, exacerbating disease in murine models of autoimmunity such as EAE and colitis. Human studies support this concept, as new clinical studies suggest that IL-17 is expressed at elevated levels in obese individuals. Conversely, however, an anti-adipogenic role for IL-17 is becoming evident, and therefore the interconnections between IL-17 and fat metabolism may be quite complex. Here, we consolidate the potential implications of IL-17 in relation to obesity and describe the emerging data regarding the role of IL-17 in adipose tissue.
authors.affiliation: University of Pittsburgh, Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology & Clinical Immunology, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.
authors.forename: Mushtaq
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ahmed
authors.forename: Sarah L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Gaffen
mesh_terms: D050156:Adipogenesis / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D022782:CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Protein-beta / Q000502:physiology; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000503:physiopathology; D020381:Interleukin-17 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology*; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D051379:Mice; D009765:Obesity / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D058504:Th17 Cells / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D022782:CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Protein-beta; D020381:Interleukin-17; D015850:Interleukin-6; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2