Immunological Profiling of Obesity

J Lifestyle Med. 2014 Mar;4(1):1-7. doi: 10.15280/jlm.2014.4.1.1. Epub 2014 Mar 31.

Abstract

It is widely accepted that chronic inflammation contributes to the pathogenesis of obesity. Researchers have recently discovered that increased inflammatory cytokines and the infiltration and activation of macrophage cells in the adipose tissue are related to chronic obesity. This immunologic dysregulation has led to the development of the classical pro-inflammatory paradigm. However, since chronic inflammation associated with obesity is more than just the overproduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines, precise dissection requires beyond the classical pro-inflammatory cytokines. The purpose of this review is to summarize the immunological profiling of obesity for theragnostic convenience, focusing on the cytokine and adipokine network in obesity and the significance of the balance of Th1/Th2 immunity.

Keywords: Adipokine; Cytokine; Immune homeostasis; Immunological profiling; Obesity.

Publication types

  • Review