Adipocytes: Hidden forces of the immune system?

Abstract

While adipocytes are majorly recognized for their role in energy homeostasis, they recently emerged as regulators of immune functions and defenders against pathogens. This poses the question of whether these lipid-laden cells constitute a currently underappreciated but integral component of our immune defenses. Here, we discuss recent evidence that adipocytes may indeed exert classical immune functions, including pathogen recognition and elimination, production of antimicrobial peptides, metabolic adaptation during infection, and antigen presentation. Positioned near portals of pathogen entry, adipocytes dynamically contribute to barrier integrity and host defense, underscoring their role as an integral and active component of the immune system.