The immune system's involvement in obesity-driven type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is now a worldwide epidemic, strongly correlated with an elevated incidence of obesity. Obesity-associated adipose tissue inflammation is a major cause of the decreased insulin sensitivity seen in type 2 diabetes. Recent studies have shed light on the cross-talk between the immune system and organismal metabolism. This review discusses the connection between inflammation in adipose tissue and systemic insulin resistance, focusing on the roles of innate and adaptive immune cell subsets in the pathogenesis of this metabolic disease.

► Role of immune system in the pathogenesis of obesity-induced metabolic disease.
► Connection between inflammation in adipose tissue and systemic insulin resistance.
► The role of innate immune system cells in insulin resistance.
► The role of different adaptive immune system cells in insulin resistance.