Adipose Tissue Immunometabolism and Apoptotic Cell Clearance

The safe removal of apoptotic debris by macrophages-often referred to as efferocytosis-is crucial for maintaining tissue integrity and preventing self-immunity or tissue damaging inflammation. Macrophages clear tissues of hazardous materials from dying cells and ultimately adopt a pro-resolving activation state. However, adipocyte apoptosis is an inflammation-generating process, and the removal of apoptotic adipocytes by so-called adipose tissue macrophages triggers a sequence of events that lead to meta-inflammation and obesity-associated metabolic diseases. Signals that allow apoptotic cells to control macrophage immune functions are complex and involve metabolites released by the apoptotic cells and also metabolites produced by the macrophages during the digestion of apoptotic cell contents. This review provides a concise summary of the adipocyte-derived metabolites that potentially control adipose tissue macrophage immune functions and, hence, may induce or alleviate adipose tissue inflammation.

Automated summary

The safe removal of apoptotic cells by macrophages is crucial for tissue health, but in the case of adipocyte apoptosis, the clearance process can lead to inflammation and metabolic diseases. Metabolites released by apoptotic cells and produced by macrophages during digestion of apoptotic cells control macrophage immune functions.