The role of innate immunity in the regulation of brown and beige adipogenesis

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

Abstract

The adipose tissue (AT) is multifunctional, acting as an endocrine tissue and participating in the regulation of the organism’s homeostasis. Metabolic, endocrine and inflammatory mechanisms are tightly intertwined within the AT, regulating its function. Disruption of the equilibrium among these mechanisms leads to pathologies, the most common being obesity-related insulin resistance. Two types of AT exist, the white and the brown AT. Traditionally the white AT (WAT) was thought to store energy in the form of lipids, while the brown AT (BAT) was known to mediate heat generation. Recently, the ‘brite’ or ‘beige’ AT was identified, which is localized predominantly in subcutaneous WAT, but shares functional features with the BAT and is capable of heat production. The major stimulus triggering beige and brown adipogenesis is cold exposure and catecholamine signalling. However, several further signals and mechanisms exist, which can orchestrate and fine-tune beige and brown AT function. Immune cells and inflammation have emerged as regulators of beige and brown AT function. The present review will focus on the recently identified crosstalk between innate immunity and the regulation of beige and brown adipogenesis.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)41-49
Number of pages9
JournalReviews in Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders
Volume17
Issue number1
Publication statusPublished - 1 Mar 2016
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

Scopus 84959081717
PubMed 26910560

Keywords

Sustainable Development Goals

Keywords

  • Beige adipose tissue, Brown adipose tissue, Inflammation, Innate immunity, Type 2 immunity