Inflammation and Metabolism in Adipose Tissue Dynamics
Summary
Adipose tissue is no longer viewed merely as a passive depot for energy storage but as a highly dynamic organ whose metabolic function is intimately linked to local and systemic inflammation. White adipose tissue (WAT) responds to excess nutrient intake through adipocyte hypertrophy and hyperplasia, processes that trigger the recruitment and activation of immune cells. This low-grade, chronic inflammation is driven largely by shifts in macrophage phenotype, the release of cytokines and chemokines, and the production of bioactive lipids. Concurrently, specialised programmes such as browning or beiging of WAT enlist mitochondrial uncoupling to increase energy expenditure, while endocrine factors including fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) modulate both lipid metabolism and immune tolerance. The balance between lipolysis, fatty acid re-esterification and thermogenic activation determines insulin sensitivity and whole-body energy homeostasis. Disruption of these coordinated pathways underlies metabolic diseases ranging from obesity and type 2 diabetes to gestational dysmetabolism, highlighting the global significance of understanding adipose tissue dynamics at the interface of inflammation and metabolism.
Research from Nature Portfolio
No recent Nature Portfolio content available.
Inflammation and Metabolism in Adipose Tissue Dynamics publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in inflammation and metabolism in adipose tissue dynamics across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
White adipose tissue (WAT): The primary site of energy storage in the form of triglycerides within adipocytes.
Brown adipose tissue (BAT): A thermogenic form of adipose tissue rich in mitochondria and uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) that dissipates energy as heat.
Lipolysis: The enzymatic breakdown of stored triglycerides into free fatty acids and glycerol.
Macrophage polarization (M1/M2): Functional states of macrophages, with M1 being pro-inflammatory and M2 being anti-inflammatory and tissue-remodelling.
Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21): An endocrine hormone that regulates glucose and lipid metabolism and modulates immune cell activity.
Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2): An inducible enzyme that converts arachidonic acid to prostaglandins during inflammation.
Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2): A bioactive lipid mediator produced by COX-2 that influences inflammation, vascular tone and adipocyte differentiation.
References
- Adipocyte FGF21 Signaling Defect Aggravated Adipose Tissue Inflammation in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus. Nutrients (2024).
- Investigating the crosstalk between ABCC4 and ABCC5 in 3T3-L1 adipocyte differentiation. Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences (2024).
- Major role of adipocyte prostaglandin E2 in lipolysis-induced macrophage recruitment[S]. Journal of Lipid Research (2016).
- Characterization of Eicosanoids Produced by Adipocyte Lipolysis IMPLICATION OF CYCLOOXYGENASE-2 IN ADIPOSE INFLAMMATION*. Journal of Biological Chemistry (2016).
Turn complex research questions into confident strategic decisions
When you're under pressure to set direction, justify investment, or understand your competitive position, you need more than raw data — you need trusted insights you can act on.
Benchmark your performance against global peers using robust, methodologically sound analysis.
Combine quantitative metrics with qualitative expert insight to uncover strengths, gaps and emerging opportunities.
Gain tailored, decision-ready recommendations aligned to your strategic priorities.
Talk to us to learn more about our data dashboards and bespoke strategy reports.
Grow research skills, confidence and careers with training built for every stage of the research lifecycle.
Developed with Nature Portfolio journal Editors and internationally renowned experts. Discover three ways to learn:
Self-paced, online courses in convenient bite-sized units, covering key skills across scientific writing, publishing, grant writing, data analysis, and more.
Expert trainer-led workshops with hands-on exercises and real-time feedback across core research skills, delivered via interactive group sessions.
Editor-led workshops combining core principles in writing and publishing, personalised 1:1 feedback from Nature Portfolio Editors and hands-on exercises.
Explore course catalogues and workshop agendas, enquire about the options or request institutional pricing.