Combating Pathogens: Unraveling the Role of Immune System in Individuals with Obesity
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31580/pjmls.v7i3.3118Keywords:
Adiponectin, Immune dysfunction, Leptin, Low-grade inflammation, Obesity, Pro-inflammatory cytokines, Th1 Cells, TNF-α, Treg Cells, Visceral adipose tissueAbstract
Overweight and obesity are conditions that increase in prevalence as a result of the population’s vulnerability to communicable diseases. Because obesity is characterized by immune dysfunction, this review looks at how this federacy comes about to promote intricate understanding of the factors involved. In normal physiology of an individual, the immune system develops a well-coordinated network to combat invading pathogens. However, in obesity, there is an alteration in immune regulation and the body acquires a constant low-grade inflammation. It has been identified that visceral adipose tissue, being an endocrine tissue, releases pro-inflammatory cytokines including TNF-α, adiponectin and leptin, which negatively affect immune cell function and homoeostasis. These alterations of immune cell populations lead to accumulation of pro-inflammatory Th1 cells and macrophages at the expense of anti-inflammatory Treg cells and M2 macrophages pushing the inflammatory process to chronicity. It also compromises the immune system and consequently the body’s ability to protect itself against pathogens. The relationship between obesity and immunity is poorly comprehended; thus, assessing the interaction is critical when treating an increased risk of infections, dysregulated immunity and abnormal metabolism in obese persons. To identify new sigma-pharm treatments such as, TNF-α inhibitors, leptin modulators and adiponectin-based therapies, for this population to boost the immune system and improve overall clients’ health, more studies are required.
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