Inflammatory links between obesity and metabolic disease
Carey N. Lumeng, Alan R. Saltiel
Carey N. Lumeng, Alan R. Saltiel
Published June 1, 2011
Citation Information: J Clin Invest. 2011;121(6):2111-2117. https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI57132.
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Review Series

Inflammatory links between obesity and metabolic disease

Abstract

The obesity epidemic has forced us to evaluate the role of inflammation in the health complications of obesity. This has led to a convergence of the fields of immunology and nutrient physiology and the understanding that they are inextricably linked. The reframing of obesity as an inflammatory condition has had a wide impact on our conceptualization of obesity-associated diseases. In this Review, we highlight the cellular and molecular mechanisms at play in the generation of obesity-induced inflammation. We also emphasize how defining the immune regulation in metabolic tissues has broadened the understanding of the diversity of inflammatory responses.

Authors

Carey N. Lumeng, Alan R. Saltiel

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Figure 2

Molecular pathways at the interface between obesity and inflammation.

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Molecular pathways at the interface between obesity and inflammation. Mu...
Multiple signaling pathways participate in translating obesity-derived nutrient and inflammatory signals into a cellular response relevant in disease. These include proinflammatory (red) and antiinflammatory (blue) signals from the cell surface that integrate through many common intracellular pathways to generate the coordinated increase in inflammatory genes while repressing genes important in maintaining proper nutrient metabolism. PKR, RNA-dependent protein kinase.