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Updated: Mar 2, 2026

Measuring the Rate of Lipolysis in Ex Vivo Murine Adipose Tissue and Primary Preadipocytes Differentiated In Vitro
Published on: March 17, 2023
Adipose triglyceride lipase in immune response, inflammation, and atherosclerosis
Branislav Radovic1, Elma Aflaki, Dagmar Kratky
1Institute of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Center of Molecular Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Harrachgasse 21, A-8010 Graz, Austria.
Abstract:
Consistent with its central importance in lipid and energy homeostasis, lipolysis occurs in essentially all tissues and cell types, including macrophages. The hydrolytic cleavage of triacylglycerol by adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) generates non-esterified fatty acids, which are subsequently used as essential precursors for lipid and membrane synthesis, mediators in cell signaling processes or as energy substrate in mitochondria. This review summarizes the current knowledge concerning the consequences of ATGL deficiency in macrophages with particular emphasis on macrophage (dys)-function, apoptosis, and atherosclerosis.
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