TREM2-Positive Lipid-Associated Macrophages (LAMs) Control White Adipose Tissue Remodeling and Metabolic Adaptation in Obesity

Abstract

White adipose tissue (WAT) depots are populated with a large range of immune cells under both normal and obese conditions. During the progression of obesity, these immune cells increase in total abundance and in particular macrophage subpopulations change dramatically. However, origin, characteristics, and functions of adipose tissue macrophages in obesity are poorly understood. In a recent publication, Jaitin et al. develop an immune cell atlas of obese fat and identify a subclass of triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2)positive, so called lipid-associated macrophages (LAMs) which are critical determinants of adipose tissue homeostasis.