Macrophage infiltration in white adipose tissue (WAT) underlies the development of the obesity-associated chronic inflammatory state. In this article current knowledge is reviewed with respect to adipocyte-driven mechanisms responsible for macrophage recruitment and activation in WAT. Adipocyte hypertrophy, adipocyte hypoxia, altered adipokine profiles under stress conditions and adipocyte death is discussed. In addition, new data is provided that shows phosphatidylserine exposure in human adipocytes under hypoxic conditions. This may represent an additional mechanism that plays a role in macrophage recruitment in WAT.
Adipobiology 2010; 2: 23-32.
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