Adipose tissue regulatory T cells: differentiation and function

Abstract

Rising obesity levels, worldwide, are resulting in substantial increases in cardiovascular disease, diabetes, kidney disease, musculoskeletal disorders, and certain cancers, and obesity-associated illnesses are estimated to cause ∼4 million deaths worldwide per year. A common theme in this disease epidemic is the chronic systemic inflammation that accompanies obesity. CD4⁺ Foxp3⁺ regulatory T cells residing in visceral adipose tissues (VAT Tregs) are a unique immune cell population that play essential functions in restricting obesity-associated systemic inflammation through regulation of adipose tissue homeostasis. The distinct transcriptional program that defines VAT Tregs has been described, but directly linking VAT Treg differentiation and function to improving insulin sensitivity has proven more complex. Here we review new findings which have clarified how VAT Tregs differentiate, and how distinct VAT Treg subsets regulate VAT homeostasis, energy expenditure, and insulin sensitivity.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• Treg
• adipose tissue
• cytokine
• thermogenesis

Acknowledgements

Not applicable.

Author’s contributions

A.N.F. is the first author and was a major contributor in writing the manuscript, L.Y.B., A.B.F., and L.M.D. contributed to the writing and proofreading of the manuscript. All authors have read and approved the final manuscript.

Availability of data and material

All data generated or analyzed during this study are referenced in this article.

Consent for publication

Not applicable.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that they have no competing financial interests.

Ethics approval and consent to participate

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Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by R03 AI51545 and funding from the University of Pittsburgh to L.M.D.