Fig. 2. Immune-stromal cell crosstalk.
PDGFRa+ mesenchymal stromal cells are the primary sources of IL-33 in adipose tissue. The cytokines TNF and IL-17A produced by γδT cells activate IL-33 production in MSCs. Treg cells and ILC2s rely on MSC-derived IL-33 for differentiation, maintenance, survival and activation. MSCs also express CD73, which catalyzes the production of adenosine, which coordinates with Treg cells to promote immune suppression in adipose tissue. Male sex hormones facilitate the differentiation of IL-33+CD73+MSCs, and obesity impairs this population