This review examines emerging evidence for adipocytes as active immune players, covering their roles in pathogen recognition, antimicrobial peptide production, metabolic adaptation during infection, antigen presentation, and barrier defense.
Adipocytes appear to perform classical immune functions — including pathogen sensing and elimination, antimicrobial peptide secretion, and antigen presentation — positioning them as an underappreciated but integral component of host defense, particularly near portals of pathogen entry.
As a narrative review, no original experimental data are presented; conclusions depend on the quality and reproducibility of the cited primary studies. The clinical relevance and extent to which adipocyte immune functions translate to human disease outcomes remain unclear.
Clinicians should be aware that adipose tissue is not merely an energy depot — it may actively shape immune responses to infection, which could have implications for understanding infection susceptibility in patients with obesity or lipodystrophy.
