Adipose tissue : component of the immune system

Adipose tissue has so far been considered exclusively as “energy storage”. At present, it is an important element of the body, which also takes part in regulation of immunological processes. It was determined that the cells of the tissue – adipocytes – have the capacity of producing adipocytokines. It was also evidenced that adipocytes feature many specific receptors, among which also TLR receptors were described, which affect the activity of the immune system. Furthermore, adipose tissue contains immune system cells, such as macrophages, as well as lymphocytes B, T and their subpopulations.