Adiponectin Modulation of Inflammatory Responses
Summary
Adiponectin is a protein hormone predominantly produced by adipose tissue that exerts widespread effects on metabolic homeostasis and immune function. Through its receptors AdipoR1 and AdipoR2, adiponectin influences key signalling pathways including AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), nuclear factor κB and mitogen-activated protein kinases, thereby modulating the production of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. It circulates in distinct oligomeric forms that vary in biological activity, with the high-molecular-weight complex generally considered the most potent. Beyond systemic metabolism, adiponectin regulates innate and adaptive immunity by promoting macrophage polarization toward an anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype, inducing autophagy-related processes in phagocytic cells and attenuating tissue inflammation in organs such as the lung and gut. The balance between its globular and full-length isoforms, differential receptor engagement and cross-talk with endocrine and autocrine mediators underlie its context-dependent effects, which span amelioration of chronic inflammatory diseases to enhancement of pathogen clearance. Understanding this multifaceted regulation is vital for translating adiponectin-based strategies into therapies for metabolic, infectious and autoimmune disorders.
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Adiponectin Modulation of Inflammatory Responses publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in adiponectin modulation of inflammatory responses across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Adipokine: A cell-signalling protein secreted by adipose tissue that influences metabolic and immune functions.
Adiponectin: A hormone produced by adipocytes that regulates glucose and lipid metabolism and modulates inflammatory responses via AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 receptors.
Macrophage polarization: The process by which macrophages adopt pro-inflammatory (M1) or anti-inflammatory (M2) functional states in response to environmental signals.
Autophagy: A cellular degradation and recycling pathway that maintains homeostasis and can regulate inflammatory signalling.
LC3-associated phagocytosis: A form of autophagy in which the microtubule-associated protein LC3 is recruited to phagosomes, enhancing the clearance of pathogens.
AMPK: An enzyme that senses cellular energy status and modulates metabolic and anti-inflammatory pathways upon activation.
References
- Regulation of lung inflammation by adiponectin. Frontiers in Immunology (2023).
- Adiponectin pathway activation dampens inflammation and enhances alveolar macrophage fungal killing via LC3-associated phagocytosis.. PLOS Pathogens (2025).
- Adiponectin Promotes Macrophage Polarization toward an Anti-inflammatory Phenotype*. Journal of Biological Chemistry (2009).
- Molecular Mechanism for Adiponectin-dependent M2 Macrophage Polarization LINK BETWEEN THE METABOLIC AND INNATE IMMUNE ACTIVITY OF FULL-LENGTH ADIPONECTIN*. Journal of Biological Chemistry (2011).
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