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Updated: Jun 5, 2026
07:32
Characterization of Immune Cells in Human Adipose Tissue by Using Flow Cytometry
Published on: March 6, 2018
Abdominal fat mass is associated with adaptive immune activation: the CODAM Study
Marielle M Thewissen1, Jan G Damoiseaux, Adriaan M Duijvestijn
1Division of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands. marielle.thewissen@maastrichtuniversity.nl
Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.)
|January 22, 2011
Summary
Abdominal obesity is linked to adaptive immune activation, with innate immune activation and insulin resistance (IR) mediating this connection. These pathways independently explain the association between waist circumference and immune responses.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Metabolic Health
- Cardiovascular Disease Research
Background:
- Abdominal fat influences innate immunity and insulin resistance (IR), contributing to cardiovascular diseases.
- Emerging evidence highlights the adaptive immune system's role in these processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the link between waist circumference and systemic adaptive immune activation.
- To determine if innate immune activation and/or IR mediate this association.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 477 adults measuring waist circumference, HOMA2-IR, and immune markers (CRP, IL-6, SAA, neopterin, sCD25).
- Immune markers were used to create adaptive and innate immune activation scores.
- Statistical analysis adjusted for cardiovascular risk factors.
Main Results:
- Waist circumference correlated with adaptive immune activation, innate immune activation, and HOMA2-IR.
- Innate immune activation and HOMA2-IR were positively associated with adaptive immune activation.
- The link between waist circumference and adaptive immunity was fully explained by innate immunity and IR.
Conclusions:
- Abdominal obesity is associated with systemic adaptive immune activation.
- Innate immune activation and insulin resistance are independent and equally significant mediators of this association.
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