Adipokines, Immunity, and Infection

Adipose tissue, long regarded as exclusively an energy reservoir, is now recognized as an active endocrine organ with significant immunomodulatory functions. As global obesity rates rise, understanding how adipokines influence the immune response is increasingly critical. In this review we focus on three key adipokines—leptin, adiponectin and resistin—and how they modulate immune function. With each adipokine, we begin by exploring its basic biology in the context of immune function. We then discuss mouse and human studies that explore each adipokine’s role in the response to infection. We close by suggesting potential uses of each adipokine as a biomarker and/or therapy in infection.