Adipocyte Death and Chronic Inflammation in Obesity

Cell death is closely linked to many diseases including cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, autoimmune diseases, and metabolic disorders. Increased adipocyte death has been reported during the development of obesity. Adipocyte death may be caused by excessive stress during obesity-related adipose tissue remodeling. Adipose tissue macrophages are key players in obesity-related inflammation and systemic insulin resistance. Accumulating evidence suggests that adipocyte death is involved in immune cell function and initiates inflammation through an interaction with macrophages; however, the precise mechanisms remain largely unknown. This review focuses on the contribution of dead cells (particularly dead adipocytes in adipose tissue) to the pathophysiological conditions associated with obesity. J. Med. Invest. 64: 193-196, August, 2017.