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Updated: Jul 11, 2026
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Isolation, Characterization, and Purification of Macrophages from Tissues Affected by Obesity-related Inflammation
Published on: April 3, 2017
Obesity, innate immunity and gut inflammation
Iordanes Karagiannides1, Charalabos Pothoulakis
1Gastrointestinal Neuropeptide Center, Division of Gastroenterology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Current Opinion in Gastroenterology
|October 2, 2007
Summary
Obesity triggers systemic inflammation, impacting innate immunity and potentially causing or worsening gut inflammation. Adipose tissue releases inflammatory molecules, contributing to inflammatory bowel disease development.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Gastroenterology
- Metabolic Diseases
Background:
- Obesity is a growing global health concern.
- Obesity is linked to chronic low-grade inflammation.
- The interplay between obesity, innate immunity, and gut inflammation requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent data on how obesity affects innate immunity.
- To explore the role of obesity-associated conditions in gut inflammation development.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent studies.
- Analysis of data on adipose tissue components and inflammation.
- Examination of adipokines and their role in immune-mediated diseases.
Main Results:
- Obesity increases proinflammatory cytokine release and adipocyte immune receptor expression.
- Adipose tissue molecules (adipokines) promote an inflammatory environment.
- Leptin may directly contribute to inflammatory bowel disease.
- Obesity-associated inflammation links to angiogenesis and neovascularization, favoring gut inflammation.
Conclusions:
- Obesity-related systemic changes predispose individuals to gut inflammation.
- Obesity may exacerbate existing inflammatory bowel disease progression.
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