Dual role of complement in adipose tissue

Mol Immunol. 2009 Feb;46(5):755-60. doi: 10.1016/j.molimm.2008.09.013. Epub 2008 Oct 26.

Abstract

Once thought of as purely the body's chief energy store, adipose tissue and its constituent adipocytes have emerged as both a metabolic entity and an endocrine one. Complement is generally thought of as originating mainly from hepatic synthesis but also from synthesis by the macrophage phagocyte system. This review revisits early descriptions of adipocytic synthesis of complement components and highlights the need of a systematic analysis of the contribution of adipose tissue to systemic inflammation in order to appreciate the immunological activity of this tissue.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adipocytes / immunology*
  • Adipocytes / metabolism
  • Adipose Tissue / immunology*
  • Adipose Tissue / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Complement System Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Complement System Proteins / immunology*
  • Endocrine System / immunology
  • Endocrine System / metabolism
  • Energy Metabolism / immunology
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / immunology
  • Inflammation / metabolism
  • Liver / immunology
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Macrophages / immunology
  • Macrophages / metabolism

Substances

  • Complement System Proteins