Impacts of the apoptosis inhibitor of macrophage (AIM) on obesity-associated inflammatory diseases

Semin Immunopathol. 2014 Jan;36(1):3-12. doi: 10.1007/s00281-013-0405-5. Epub 2013 Nov 27.

Abstract

Obesity is associated with various metabolic and cardiovascular diseases caused by chronic, low-grade inflammation that is initially observed in obese adipose tissue. In addition, many etiological studies in humans have shown a strong correlation between obesity and inflammatory autoimmune diseases. In this review, we focus on the involvement of apoptosis inhibitor of macrophage (AIM), a macrophage-derived blood protein, in both types of immune response. Through differential mechanisms, AIM thereby plays key roles in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, metabolic diseases, and obesity-associated autoimmune diseases. Thus, the regulation of blood AIM levels or AIM function has the potential to serve as a next-generation therapy against these inflammatory diseases brought about by modern lifestyle.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adipocytes / metabolism
  • Adipose Tissue / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Autoantibodies / immunology
  • Autoimmunity
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • B-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Disease Susceptibility / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin M / immunology
  • Immunoglobulin M / metabolism
  • Inflammation / etiology*
  • Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins / blood
  • Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins / genetics
  • Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins / metabolism*
  • Insulin Resistance
  • Lipolysis / genetics
  • Macrophages / immunology
  • Macrophages / metabolism*
  • Metabolic Syndrome / genetics
  • Metabolic Syndrome / immunology
  • Metabolic Syndrome / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Obesity / complications*
  • Obesity / genetics
  • Obesity / immunology
  • Obesity / metabolism*
  • PPAR gamma / metabolism
  • Receptors, Fc / metabolism
  • Spleen / immunology
  • Spleen / metabolism
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4 / metabolism

Substances

  • Autoantibodies
  • Immunoglobulin M
  • Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins
  • PPAR gamma
  • Receptors, Fc
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4