Macrophages are the most common immune cells present in adipose tissues. These adipose tissue macrophages (ATMs) have an important role in regulating homeostasis and contributing to the metabolically harmful chronic inflammation seen in some obese individuals. Macrophages are cells exhibiting plasticity, that is to alter their polarization between pro- and anti-inflammatory phenotypes, in response to stimuli in their microenvironments. There has been a deal of evidence supporting the heterogeneity of these ATM populations, however, research into their differential functionality, developmental origin, and phenotype warrants further research to reach a consensus. Further questions remain regarding the nature of this macrophage differentiation and plasticity, and whether it is innately determined or is induced by the specific adipose tissue microenvironment.
Differences in the phenotypes of metabolically unhealthy obese (MUO) and the metabolically healthy obese (MHO) individuals suggest that there are differences in both tissues and overall systemic function. The divergent phenotypes seen in MHO and MUO individuals provides evidence that differences in adipose tissue function are determined by local inflammatory responses driven by macrophage plasticity towards pro-inflammatory phenotypes.
This Research Topic aims to focus on understanding the distinct populations of macrophages present in the adipose tissue and their differing functionality. Importantly, this topic aims to understand the functional role of metabolic switching and plasticity of the ATMs populations in the MHO and MUO phenotypes. As such, we will aim to collect submissions that improve our understanding of the factors and mechanisms underlying this functional plasticity of adipose tissue macrophages. This will be useful in improving our understanding of the role of ATMs in metabolically harmful chronic inflammation in obese individuals and may help to guide our future treatment options.
In this Research Topic, we welcome the submission of Original Research, Review, and Mini Review articles focusing on metabolic switching and plasticity in adipose tissue macrophages. We welcome submissions covering, but not limited to, the following sub-topics:
• Developmental origin of adipose tissue macrophages
• Distinct macrophage populations identified in the adipose tissue, their differing functionalities and comparative metabolism
• Functional malleability of adipose tissue macrophages
• Factors determining metabolic switching and plasticity of macrophages in the adipose tissue
• The role of different macrophage populations and metabolic switching of macrophages in adipose tissue inflammation
• ATMs populations in the MHO and MUO phenotypes
• Treatments targeting macrophage plasticity in the adipose tissue
• The use of cutting-edge technologies in improving our understanding of macrophage plasticity and metabolic switching in the adipose tissue
Macrophages are the most common immune cells present in adipose tissues. These adipose tissue macrophages (ATMs) have an important role in regulating homeostasis and contributing to the metabolically harmful chronic inflammation seen in some obese individuals. Macrophages are cells exhibiting plasticity, that is to alter their polarization between pro- and anti-inflammatory phenotypes, in response to stimuli in their microenvironments. There has been a deal of evidence supporting the heterogeneity of these ATM populations, however, research into their differential functionality, developmental origin, and phenotype warrants further research to reach a consensus. Further questions remain regarding the nature of this macrophage differentiation and plasticity, and whether it is innately determined or is induced by the specific adipose tissue microenvironment.
Differences in the phenotypes of metabolically unhealthy obese (MUO) and the metabolically healthy obese (MHO) individuals suggest that there are differences in both tissues and overall systemic function. The divergent phenotypes seen in MHO and MUO individuals provides evidence that differences in adipose tissue function are determined by local inflammatory responses driven by macrophage plasticity towards pro-inflammatory phenotypes.
This Research Topic aims to focus on understanding the distinct populations of macrophages present in the adipose tissue and their differing functionality. Importantly, this topic aims to understand the functional role of metabolic switching and plasticity of the ATMs populations in the MHO and MUO phenotypes. As such, we will aim to collect submissions that improve our understanding of the factors and mechanisms underlying this functional plasticity of adipose tissue macrophages. This will be useful in improving our understanding of the role of ATMs in metabolically harmful chronic inflammation in obese individuals and may help to guide our future treatment options.
In this Research Topic, we welcome the submission of Original Research, Review, and Mini Review articles focusing on metabolic switching and plasticity in adipose tissue macrophages. We welcome submissions covering, but not limited to, the following sub-topics:
• Developmental origin of adipose tissue macrophages
• Distinct macrophage populations identified in the adipose tissue, their differing functionalities and comparative metabolism
• Functional malleability of adipose tissue macrophages
• Factors determining metabolic switching and plasticity of macrophages in the adipose tissue
• The role of different macrophage populations and metabolic switching of macrophages in adipose tissue inflammation
• ATMs populations in the MHO and MUO phenotypes
• Treatments targeting macrophage plasticity in the adipose tissue
• The use of cutting-edge technologies in improving our understanding of macrophage plasticity and metabolic switching in the adipose tissue
