Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 16, 2026

Adenoviral Transduction of Naive CD4 T Cells to Study Treg Differentiation
Published on: August 13, 2013
The Skinny on Fat Trm Cells
1Dermatology and Venereology Unit, Department of Medicine Solna, Karolinska Institutet, 17176 Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Dermatology, Karolinska University Hospital Solna, 17176 Stockholm, Sweden.
White adipose tissue harbors memory T cells crucial for fighting infections. These immune cells protect against pathogens but reduce the tissue's ability to store fat.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Metabolic research
- Adipose tissue biology
Background:
- White adipose tissue (WAT) is increasingly recognized for its immune functions.
- The specific roles of T cells within WAT during immune responses remain largely undefined.
- Epithelial barriers can be breached, exposing underlying tissues like WAT to pathogens.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and function of T cells within white adipose tissue.
- To determine the contribution of adipose T cells to antimicrobial immunity.
- To understand the metabolic consequences of T cell activity in WAT.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of immune cell populations in white adipose tissue.
- Assessment of T cell memory phenotypes within WAT.
- Evaluation of lipid synthesis and metabolism in adipose tissue.
Main Results:
- White adipose tissue contains a significant reservoir of memory T cells.
- These memory T cells are capable of mounting an antimicrobial immune response.
- T cell activation in WAT leads to a decrease in lipid synthesis and metabolism.
Conclusions:
- Adipose tissue serves as a site for immune memory T cells.
- WAT-resident T cells provide essential antimicrobial immunity.
- Immune function in WAT impacts the tissue's metabolic state, specifically lipid handling.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
T Cell Types and Functions
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection
Naive T cells that have not yet encountered an antigen express two primary CD...
Special Features of Adaptive Immunity
The primary cell types involved in adaptive immunity are T cells and B cells. Each type has a unique role in defending the body against pathogens. T cells are responsible for cell-mediated immunity. They identify and eliminate infected cells directly,...
Lymphoid Cells and Tissues
Lymphoid cells consist of various types of immune system cells. These include B and T lymphocytes, which are responsible for producing antibodies and killing infected cells, respectively. Dendritic cells act as messengers between the innate and adaptive...
Cell-mediated Immune Responses
Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response
Immunological surveillance is the ability of immune cells to monitor and eliminate infected cells with intracellular pathogens, neoplastically transformed cells, and cells with non-self antigens. Cytotoxic T cells and NK...

