TY - JOUR
T1 - Epigenetic mechanisms of macrophage activation in type 2 diabetes
AU - Ahmed, Mohamed
AU - de Winther, Menno P. J.
AU - van den Bossche, Jan
PY - 2017
Y1 - 2017
N2 - The alarming rise of obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D) has put a tremendous strain on global healthcare systems. Over the past decade extensive research has focused on the role of macrophages as key mediators of inflammation in T2D. The inflammatory environment in the obese adipose tissue and pancreatic β-cell islets creates and perpetuates imbalanced inflammatory macrophage activation. Consequences of this chronic low-grade inflammation include insulin resistance in the adipose tissue and pancreatic β-cell dysfunction. Recently, the emerging field of epigenetics has provided new insights into the pathogenesis of T2D, while also affording potential new opportunities for treatment. In macrophages, epigenetic mechanisms are increasingly being recognized as crucial controllers of their phenotype. Here, we first describe the role of macrophages in T2D. Then we elaborate on epigenetic mechanisms that regulate macrophage activation, thereby focusing on T2D. Next, we highlight how diabetic conditions such as hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia could induce epigenetic changes that promote an inflammatory macrophage phenotype. In conclusion we discuss possible therapeutic interventions by targeting macrophage epigenetics and speculate on future research directions.
AB - The alarming rise of obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D) has put a tremendous strain on global healthcare systems. Over the past decade extensive research has focused on the role of macrophages as key mediators of inflammation in T2D. The inflammatory environment in the obese adipose tissue and pancreatic β-cell islets creates and perpetuates imbalanced inflammatory macrophage activation. Consequences of this chronic low-grade inflammation include insulin resistance in the adipose tissue and pancreatic β-cell dysfunction. Recently, the emerging field of epigenetics has provided new insights into the pathogenesis of T2D, while also affording potential new opportunities for treatment. In macrophages, epigenetic mechanisms are increasingly being recognized as crucial controllers of their phenotype. Here, we first describe the role of macrophages in T2D. Then we elaborate on epigenetic mechanisms that regulate macrophage activation, thereby focusing on T2D. Next, we highlight how diabetic conditions such as hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia could induce epigenetic changes that promote an inflammatory macrophage phenotype. In conclusion we discuss possible therapeutic interventions by targeting macrophage epigenetics and speculate on future research directions.
KW - Epigenetics
KW - Inflammation
KW - Macrophage activation
KW - Obesity
KW - Type 2 diabetes
UR - https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?partnerID=HzOxMe3b&scp=84995554866&origin=inward
UR - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27613200
U2 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.imbio.2016.08.011
DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.imbio.2016.08.011
M3 - Review article
C2 - 27613200
SN - 0171-2985
VL - 222
SP - 937
EP - 943
JO - Immunobiology
JF - Immunobiology
IS - 10
ER -