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Obesity-associated T-cell and macrophage activation improve partly after a lifestyle intervention

International Journal of Obesity volume 44, pages 1838–1850 (2020)Cite this article

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Abstract

Background

The relation between low-grade inflammation and metabolic dysfunction in obesity is not fully explored.

Objective

To evaluate immune parameters in the obese state and after a lifestyle intervention program.

Methods

Patients with obesity (n = 87) from an academic obesity clinic were compared with controls with regard to macrophage and T-cell activation (reflected by serum levels of soluble CD163 (sCD163) and soluble IL-2 receptor (sIL-2R), respectively), and an array of cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors. In addition, these parameters and regulatory T-cells (Treg), were studied in 27 patients who followed a 75-week lifestyle intervention (dietary advice, exercise, and psychoeducation).

Results

Mean sIL-2R and sCD163 levels were higher in patients than controls (sIL-2R:2884 ± 936 pg/ml vs. 2207 ± 813 pg/ml, p = 0.001; sCD163:1279 ± 580 pg/ml vs. 661 ± 271 pg/ml, p < 0.0001 respectively). Patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS) had higher sCD163 than those without (1467 ± 656 pg/ml vs. 1103 ± 438 pg/ml). Patients had higher IL-1β, IL-1RA, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-9, IL-10, IL-15, IL-17A, MCP-1/CCL2, MIP-1α/CCL3, MIP-1β/CCL4, G-CSF, GM-CSF, FGF, IFN-γ, and TNF-α than controls, whereas VEGF-A, PDGF-BB, and eotaxin were lower. Upon intervention, sIL-2R decreased while peripheral Treg frequencies increased within the reference range (p = 0.042 and p = 0.005 respectively). The sIL-2R decrease correlated to a decrease in waist circumference (rho = 0.388, p = 0.045) and in trend to a decrease in MetS components (rho = 0.345, p = 0.078). The Treg increase was unrelated to weight loss or metabolic improvement. Mean sCD163 did not change significantly upon intervention, nor did the cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors (except IP-10/CXCL10).

Conclusion

In obesity, T-cell homeostasis improves after a lifestyle intervention. Immunologic alterations can occur independently of metabolic improvement.

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Fig. 1
Fig. 2: Longitudinal analyses of immune parameters.

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  • 24 October 2020

    The original HTML version of this Article was updated shortly after publication to add the supplementary data (which was previously completely absent).

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Author notes

  1. These authors contributed equally: I. J. B. van der Zalm, E. S. van der Valk

  2. These authors jointly supervised this work: P. J. M. Leenen, W. A. Dik

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Obesity Center CGG, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

    I. J. B. van der Zalm, E. S. van der Valk, V. L. Wester & E. F. C. van Rossum

  2. Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

    I. J. B. van der Zalm, E. S. van der Valk, V. L. Wester & E. F. C. van Rossum

  3. Department of Immunology, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

    N. M. A. Nagtzaam, P. J. M. Leenen & W. A. Dik

  4. Laboratory Medical Immunology, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

    N. M. A. Nagtzaam & W. A. Dik

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Correspondence to E. F. C. van Rossum.

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EV, IZ, VW, PL, and WD have nothing to disclose. ER is supported by the Elisabeth Foundation and the Netherlands Organization of Scientific Research NWO, Grant/Award Number: 91716453.

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van der Zalm, I.J.B., van der Valk, E.S., Wester, V.L. et al. Obesity-associated T-cell and macrophage activation improve partly after a lifestyle intervention. Int J Obes 44, 1838–1850 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41366-020-0615-6

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