Fig. 1.

Adipose tissue as an endocrine and paracrine gland creates an inflammatory microenvironment, in which macrophages and B lymphocytes contribute to secretion of proinflammatory molecules, and is a source of IL-8. Indeed, leptin, which tends to be overexpressed in relation to fat mass, acts with pleiotropic activities enhancing inflammation cascade and modulating cell-mediated immunity. IL, interleukin; TNF, tumor necrosis factor.