Adipokines in Inflammation and Metabolic Disease

Overview

Journal Nat Rev Immunol

Specialty Allergy & Immunology

Date 2011 Jan 22

PMID 21252989

Citations 1862

Authors

Noriyuki Ouchi

Jennifer L Parker

Jesse J Lugus

Kenneth Walsh

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The worldwide epidemic of obesity has brought considerable attention to research aimed at understanding the biology of adipocytes (fat cells) and the events occurring in adipose tissue (fat) and in the bodies of obese individuals. Accumulating evidence indicates that obesity causes chronic low-grade inflammation and that this contributes to systemic metabolic dysfunction that is associated with obesity-linked disorders. Adipose tissue functions as a key endocrine organ by releasing multiple bioactive substances, known as adipose-derived secreted factors or adipokines, that have pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory activities. Dysregulated production or secretion of these adipokines owing to adipose tissue dysfunction can contribute to the pathogenesis of obesity-linked complications. In this Review, we focus on the role of adipokines in inflammatory responses and discuss their potential as regulators of metabolic function.

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