Abstract
Obesity has reached pandemic proportion and represents a major risk for several comorbidities. In addition to metabolic and cardiovascular obesity-related diseases, recent evidence suggested that obesity might affect immune system function. Adipose tissue is considered an endocrine organ that actively secretes cytokines also referred to as “adipokines.” Adipokines play an important role in the control of human metabolism. The dysfunctional adipose tissue in obese individuals is characterized by an altered cytokine secretion pattern that promotes chronic low-grade inflammation. Epidemiological evidence highlights the association between obesity and allergic and immune-mediated diseases, such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, rheumatic arthritis, and psoriasis. Less is known about underlying pathogenic mechanisms. However, several recent in vivo and in vitro studies have reported that adipokines are involved in inflammatory and autoimmune disorders by influencing both innate and acquired immune responses. In addition, obesity has been associated with reduced immune surveillance and increased risk of cancer. This paper reviews the evidence regarding the role of adipokines in immune system regulation, with particular emphasis on autoimmune, allergic, and inflammatory disorders. Understanding how obesity affects immune system functions may enable researchers to find new potential therapeutic targets in the management of allergic and autoimmune diseases.
Highlights
Pediatric Obesity and the Immune SystemGiuseppina Rosaria Umano 1*, Carmelo Pistone 2, Enrico Tondina 2, Alice Moiraghi 2, Daria Lauretta 1, Emanuele Miraglia del Giudice 1 and Ilaria Brambilla 3
The obesity epidemic represents a major health issue of the twenty-first century
The excess of fat present in obese individuals results in a hypertrophic white adipose tissue with a consequent derangement in adipocytes metabolic activity
Summary
Giuseppina Rosaria Umano 1*, Carmelo Pistone 2, Enrico Tondina 2, Alice Moiraghi 2, Daria Lauretta 1, Emanuele Miraglia del Giudice 1 and Ilaria Brambilla 3. In addition to metabolic and cardiovascular obesity-related diseases, recent evidence suggested that obesity might affect immune system function. Adipose tissue is considered an endocrine organ that actively secretes cytokines referred to as “adipokines.” Adipokines play an important role in the control of human metabolism. Epidemiological evidence highlights the association between obesity and allergic and immune-mediated diseases, such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, rheumatic arthritis, and psoriasis. Obesity has been associated with reduced immune surveillance and increased risk of cancer. This paper reviews the evidence regarding the role of adipokines in immune system regulation, with particular emphasis on autoimmune, allergic, and inflammatory disorders. Understanding how obesity affects immune system functions may enable researchers to find new potential therapeutic targets in the management of allergic and autoimmune diseases
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