title: Obesity induces pro-inflammatory B cells and impairs B cell function in old mice.
abstract: We analyzed B cells infiltrating the Visceral Adipose Tissue (VAT) of young and old mice to identify contributors to the phenotypic and functional changes observed in aged B cells. We found higher percentages of pro-inflammatory (age-associated B cells, ABC) and less Follicular (FO) B cells in VAT as compared to spleen. VAT B cells express higher pro-adipogenic and inflammatory markers, including NF-kB, as compared to splenic B cells, and also secrete IgG2c antibodies, some of which have been shown to be autoimmune in other studies. Moreover, we found that in the presence of an adipocyte-conditioned medium FO B cells differentiated into ABC. Additional results showed production of pro-inflammatory chemokines by the adipocytes, suggesting a mechanism for B cell attraction by the VAT. These results are the first to show a direct effect of adipocytes on the generation of pro-inflammatory B cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, 33101, USA. Electronic address: dfrasca@med.miami.edu.
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Frasca
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, 33101, USA.
authors.forename: Alain
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Diaz
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, 33101, USA.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Romero
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, 33101, USA.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Vazquez
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, 33101, USA.
authors.forename: Bonnie B
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: Blomberg
mesh_terms: D017667:Adipocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000276:immunology; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000276:immunology; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D050152:Intra-Abdominal Fat / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009765:Obesity / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D009928:Organ Specificity / Q000276:immunology; D013154:Spleen / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D007074:Immunoglobulin G
keywords: Aging; B cells; Inflammation; Obesity