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Updated: Jul 3, 2025
Isolation, Characterization, and Purification of Macrophages from Tissues Affected by Obesity-related Inflammation
Published on: April 3, 2017
Neuroinflammation in Obese Children
Yu G Samoilova1, M V Matveeva2, L V Spirina1
1Siberian State Medical University, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Tomsk, Russia.
Insights
Obese children show increased M2-polarized CD14+CD163+ monocytes, linked to cognitive decline and lower IQ. This suggests a connection between visceral fat, neuroinflammation, and brain function in childhood obesity.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Neuroscience
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Obesity is linked to chronic inflammation and neuroinflammation.
- Tissue macrophages in obesity can cross the blood-brain barrier.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the association between CD14+CD163+ monocytes and cognitive functions in obese children.
- To investigate the role of M2-polarized monocytes in childhood obesity and neuroinflammation.
Main Methods:
- Studied 56 obese children and 10 controls.
- Assessed body composition and calculated BMI SDS.
- Quantified CD14+CD163+ monocytes using flow cytometry.
- Evaluated cognitive functions via IQ and Rey test.
Main Results:
- Increased M2-polarized CD14+CD163+ monocytes correlated with obesity severity.
- Higher monocyte levels were found in children with cognitive decline.
- A negative correlation existed between M2 monocytes, IQ, and visceral fat.
Conclusions:
- M2-polarized CD14+CD163+ monocytes are associated with obesity and cognitive deficits in children.
- Peripheral visceral obesity and neuroinflammation play a role in these findings.
Abstract:
Obesity is associated with chronic persistent inflammation due to a pool of tissue macrophages that can penetrate the blood-brain barrier and cause neuroinflammation. The analysis of the association of CD14+CD163+ monocytes in the peripheral blood with cognitive functions in 56 obese children (mean age 11.95 (9.45; 14.45) years) was carried out. The control group consisted of 10 children (mean age 10.4 (9.3; 13.8) years). Standard deviation of the body mass index (SDS BMI) and height (SDS height) were calculated using WHO AnthroPlus software (for children of 6-19 years). Body composition was assessed using bioimpedance measurement. Mononuclear cells were isolated from whole blood by centrifugation on a Ficoll-Urografin density gradient (ρ=1.077 g/ml). The content of CD14+CD163+ monocytes in the peripheral blood was assessed by flow cytometry. To analyze cognitive functions, the intelligence coefficient (IQ) was calculated and a Russian adaptation of the Rey test was performed. We found an increase in the number of M2-polarized CD14+CD163+ monocytes in the peripheral blood with an increase in the obesity degree and in the presence of cognitive decline, as well as a negative correlation of the level of M2-polarized monocytes and IQ, taking into account the excess of visceral fat. The revealed data on the relationship of M2-polarized CD14+CD163+ peripheral blood monocytes with obesity in children and the development of neuropsychological deficiency confirm the role of peripheral visceral obesity and neuroinflammation.
