Inflammation in adipose tissue plays a critical role in obesity, the metabolic syndrome and Type 2 Diabetes

Recently, changes in the number and function of invariant (i) NKT cells have been implicated. In non-obese people, iNKT cells are present in omenta adipose tissue at higher levels than anywhere else in the body and they are similarly enriched in epididymal adipose tissue in mice. iNKT cells in adipose tissue display an anti-inflammatory cytokine phenotype producing IL-10 rather than the INFγ phenotype noted in other tissues. iNKT cell deficient mice on a high fat diet had enhanced weight gain, fatty livers and insulin resistance that was reversed upon adoptive transfer of iNKT cells. These studies point to a striking role for iNKT cells in obesity, glucose intolerance, and fatty liver changes in mice and humans.