SP0034 Adipose tissue inflammation: once fat was fat and that was that. (12th June 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Schipper, H.
• Is Part Of: Annals of the rheumatic diseases. Volume 77(2018)Supplement 2
• Page Start: 9
• Page End: 9
• Publication Date: 2018-06-12
• Subjects: Rheumatism -- Periodicals; 616.723005
• DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2018-eular.7652
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-4967

Abstract

Abstract : Until only 100.000 years ago, humans hunted smaller creatures and gathered what they could, meanwhile being hunted by larger predators. Homo sapiens showed a spectacular leap to the top of the food chain ever since. While mankind however advanced from a cavemen diet to fast food, our adipose tissue did not adapt so quickly. Here, the evolutionary origins of adipose tissue and its implications for systemic inflammatory conditions will be discussed. A few decades ago, adipose tissue was considered a lipid sink, evolved to store energy in times of nutritional excess and release energy in times of shortage. Indeed, multicellular organisms depend on their ability to store energy to prevent starvation. Equally important though, they rely on their ability to fight infections. Several lines of evidence illustrate that adipose tissue in fact embodies the amalgamation of highly conserved metabolic and immune pathways. Whereas the fat body in Drosophila melanogaster comprises adipose tissue, liver and immunological moieties in one functional unit, adipocytes in humans and other higher organisms are reminiscent of their evolutionary origins by toll-like receptor expression, cytokine production and antigen-presenting capacities. From an evolutionary perspective, adipose tissue is fully equipped to respond to inflammatory stimuli, in order to fulfil the high energy demands of an acute immune response. In modern times however, the immunological capacities of adipose tissue are more of a burden. Both in nutritional overload and systemic inflammatory conditions, the inflammatory impetus of adipose tissue can have devastating consequences. Disclosure of Interest: None declared