Obesity, adipose tissue and rheumatoid arthritis: coincidence or more complex relationship?

• Published in: Clinical and experimental rheumatology Vol. 29; no. 4; pp. 712 - 727
• Main Authors: DERDEMEZIS, C. S, VOULGARI, P. V, DROSOS, A. A, KIORTSIS, D. N
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Pisa Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology 01.07.2011
• Subjects: Adipokines - metabolism; Adipose Tissue - immunology; Animals; Arthritis, Rheumatoid - immunology; Autoimmunity; Biological and medical sciences; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; Humans; Inflammation Mediators - metabolism; Inflammatory joint diseases; Medical sciences; Metabolic diseases; Obesity; Obesity - complications; Obesity - immunology; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; Immunopathology; Obesity; adiponectin; Adipose tissue; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; Nutrition disorder; Rheumatology; Autoimmune disease; Inflammatory joint disease; leptin; Chronic; Rheumatoid arthritis; resistin; adipokines; Nutritional status; visfatin
• ISSN: 0392-856X; 1593-098X

In the last two decades we have witnessed a boost in scientific interest and knowledge of adipose tissue biology to such an extent that it was promoted to an active endocrine organ. Adipose tissue is not just related to body weight and appetite regulation. It is also implicated in obesity, a low-grade inflammatory state, as well as inflammatory conditions including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an autoimmune disease where anti- and pro-inflammatory cytokine balance is critical. All major adipose derived products, simply termed adipokines, like leptin, adiponectin, visfatin and resistin, reportedly participate in inflammation and immunity. In this review we explore in depth the relationship between adipose tissue and RA, with focus on possible mechanisms, beyond observations about circulating or synovial levels, and special reference to future perspectives and clinical implications.