The role of transcription factor T-bet in adipose tissue macrophages and its implications on insulin resistance induced by obesity

• Grant number: 18/21018-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: December 01, 2018
• End date: July 31, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Immunology - Cellular Immunology
• Principal Investigator: Cristhiane Favero de Aguiar
• Grantee: Mirella Cristiny Pereira de Andrade
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biologia (IB). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 15/15626-8 - Macrophages and T lymphocytes immunometabolism in metabolic and inflammatory diseases, AP.JP

Abstract

Obesity has been considered a global epidemic, affecting millions of people worldwide. The consequences of pathological weight gain can affect several systems, such as the cardiovascular, endocrine and also the immune system. The expansion of the adipose tissue that occurs during obesity is accompanied by the infiltration of immune cells within this tissue, which generates a low-grade inflammation that is directly associated with insulin resistance. Macrophages are important players during the course of obesity, especially M1 macrophages, which are pro-inflammatory and glycolytic, and are increased in obese adipose tissue. The transcription factor T-bet is known to regulate the differentiation of Th1 cells, but recently this factor was described as having a role in insulin sensitivity and also in influencing the action of innate immune cells, by exerting a repressive effect on TNF production. Thus, we chose the model of insulin resistance associated with obesity to understand the role of T-bet in macrophages. Our hypothesis is that the deletion of T-bet in macrophages can lead to greater inflammation in adipose tissue, accompanied by insulin resistance.