Markers of adipose tissue macrophage content are negatively associated with serum HDL-C concentrations

ObjectiveAdipose tissue macrophages are associated with adiposity and may play a role in obesity related co-morbidities. We examined whether abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue macrophage content (ATMc) was associated with fasting serum total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein (HDL-C) and triglycerides (TG) concentrations.Methods52 (35 male) of Pima Indians without diabetes participated in the study. ATMc was assessed by histochemistry (CD68+ cells) (Mphi) and gene expression of macrophage-specific markers including CD68, CSF1r, CD11b and CD11c.ResultsHDL-C was negatively associated with CD68, CSF1R, CD11b and CD11c expression (r = −0.31, p = 0.02; r = −0.38, p < 0.01; r = −0.40, p < 0.01; r = −0.26, p = 0.04, respectively). After adjustment for age, sex and BMI, the associations between HDL-C and CSF1R, CD11b were still significant (r = −0.31, p = 0.01 and r = −0.3, p = 0.02), but borderline for CD68 (r = −0.24, p = 0.06).ConclusionsATMc is associated with lower HDL-C independent of BMI indicating a link between ATMc and cardiovascular risk factors.