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Updated: Jul 18, 2025
07:09
Isolation of Adipose Tissue Immune Cells
Published on: May 22, 2013
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NK cells vs. obesity: A tale of dysfunction & redemption
Conor De Barra1, Donal O'Shea2, Andrew E Hogan3
1Kathleen Lonsdale Institute for Human Health Research, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co Kildare, Ireland.
Clinical Immunology (Orlando, Fla.)
|August 21, 2023
Summary
Obesity impairs natural killer (NK) cells, crucial for fighting infection and cancer. This review explores how obesity affects NK cells and potential treatments.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Metabolic disease research
Background:
- Natural killer (NK) cells are vital immune cells involved in anti-infection and anti-cancer responses.
- NK cells also play roles in tissue homeostasis, including within adipose tissue.
- Obesity is linked to immune dysregulation, affecting both peripheral and adipose tissue NK cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current literature on natural killer (NK) cells in the context of obesity.
- To outline the consequences of obesity on NK cell function.
- To discuss the mechanisms underlying these effects and potential therapeutic interventions.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on NK cells and obesity.
- Analysis of NK cell roles in infection, cancer, and tissue homeostasis.
- Examination of obesity-related immune dysregulation impacting NK cells.
Main Results:
- Obesity leads to significant defects in peripheral and adipose tissue NK cells.
- Dysfunctional NK cells in obesity contribute to increased cancer risk and infection susceptibility.
- NK cell functions in adipose tissue, such as controlling macrophage polarization and adipocyte fate, are impaired.
Conclusions:
- Obesity-induced immune dysregulation critically affects NK cell function.
- Understanding these defects is key to developing therapeutic strategies for obesity-related complications.
- Targeting NK cell pathways may offer novel interventions for obesity, cancer, and infections.
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