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Pediatric Obesity and the Immune System
Giuseppina Rosaria Umano1, Carmelo Pistone2, Enrico Tondina2
1Department of the Woman, Child, General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy.
Frontiers in Pediatrics
|December 12, 2019
Summary
Obesity impacts the immune system, with specific molecules called adipokines contributing to inflammation and increasing the risk of allergic and autoimmune diseases. This understanding may lead to new therapeutic strategies.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Endocrinology
- Metabolic Diseases
Background:
- Obesity is a global health crisis linked to numerous comorbidities.
- Dysfunctional adipose tissue in obesity secretes altered levels of adipokines, promoting chronic inflammation.
- Emerging evidence links obesity to immune-mediated conditions like asthma and rheumatoid arthritis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current evidence on the role of adipokines in immune system regulation.
- To explore the connection between obesity, adipokines, and autoimmune, allergic, and inflammatory disorders.
- To highlight potential therapeutic targets for managing obesity-related immune dysfunction.
Main Methods:
- Review of in vivo and in vitro studies.
- Analysis of epidemiological data linking obesity to immune diseases.
- Synthesis of research on adipokine function in immune responses.
Main Results:
- Adipokines secreted by adipose tissue influence both innate and acquired immunity.
- Altered adipokine profiles in obesity are associated with chronic low-grade inflammation.
- Obesity is linked to increased susceptibility to allergic and autoimmune diseases, and reduced immune surveillance.
Conclusions:
- Adipokines play a significant role in modulating immune responses.
- Obesity-induced changes in adipokines contribute to the pathogenesis of allergic and autoimmune diseases.
- Targeting adipokine pathways may offer novel therapeutic avenues for obesity-related immune disorders.
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