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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2012 Jun 25.
Published in final edited form as: Annu Rev Pathol. 2011;6:275–297. doi: 10.1146/annurev-pathol-011110-130138

Figure 3. Factors controlling recruitment and classical activation of ATMs.

Figure 3

Increased intake of diets rich in saturated fatty acids induces obesity, resulting in recruitment of CCR2+ monocytes that differentiate into classically activated macrophages. The inflammatory milieu that promotes classical activation (M1) of ATMs in obese animals includes recruitment of CD8 cells, reduction in numbers of regulatory T cells (Tregs), and increased production of Th1-type cytokines. In addition, adipocyte hypertrophy induces ER stress and hypoxia, factors that eventually lead to cellular necrosis. In obese animals, CD8 cells and CAMs form crown-like structures around necrotic adipocytes. The dramatic increase in CAMs in obese adipose tissue negates the anti-inflammatory and homeostatic functions of AAMs, resulting in increased inflammation. AAMs: alternatively activated macrophages; CAMs: classically activated macrophages.