title: Immunomodulation at epithelial sites by obesity and metabolic disease.
abstract: Obesity and related type 2 diabetes are increasing at epidemic proportions globally. It is now recognized that inflammatory responses mediated within the adipose tissue in obesity are central to the development of disease. Once initiated, chronic inflammation associated with obesity leads to the modulation of immune cell function. This review will focus specifically on the impact of obesity on γδ T cells, a T-cell subset that is found in high concentrations in epithelial tissues such as the skin, intestine, and lung. Epithelial γδ T cell function is of particular concern in obesity as they are the guardians of the epithelial barrier and mediate repair. A breakdown in their function, and subsequently the deterioration of the epithelium can result in dire consequences for the host. Obese patients are more prone to non-healing injuries, infection, and disease. The resulting inflammation from these pathologies further perpetuates the disease condition already present in obese hosts. Here we will provide insight into the immunomodulation of γδ T cells that occurs in the epithelial barrier during obesity and discuss current therapeutic options.
authors.affiliation: The Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, Imm-25, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA.
authors.forename: Kitty P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Cheung
authors.forename: Kristen R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: Julie M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Jameson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003092:Colitis / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D004848:Epithelium / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D056747:Immunomodulation; D009765:Obesity / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta