Key result
Obesity in boys is linked to more adipose CD163+ cells, crown-like structures, and COL6α3 expression.
Why the study?
Overweight and obesity in early childhood often persists into adulthood, but the mechanisms triggering extracellular matrix remodeling in subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue in relation to body weight remained unclear.
Does overweight and obesity in male children alter macrophage polarization and COL6α3 expression in subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue?
Cross-Sectional (n=75)
Does overweight and obesity in male children alter macrophage polarization and COL6α3 expression in subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue?
Childhood obesity is associated with increased COL6α3 gene expression and macrophage polarization in adipose tissue, potentially compromising extracellular matrix integrity and promoting inflammation.
May signal early adipose inflammation in obese boys; leaves open links to future cardiometabolic risk.
Background/Objectives: Overweight and obesity in early childhood is a serious public health problem as in most cases it persists into adulthood and significantly affects the quality of life. The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanisms that trigger extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling in the subcutaneous (SAT) and visceral (VAT) adipose tissue of male children in relation to their body weight. Methods: During elective abdominal surgery, SAT and VAT were acquired from 75 male subjects undergoing hernia repair (inguinal herniorrhaphy by Ferguson) or orchidopexy. Based on their Z-score, subjects were separated into two groups. The morphometry of both adipose tissue compartments was assessed after hematoxylin and eosin histological staining, immunohistochemistry to quantify CD163+ cells and the number of crown-like structures (CLSs), and real-time polymerase chain reaction to assess the relative gene expression for collagen VI subtype alpha 3 (COL6α3). Results: Obese and overweight individuals were found to have higher numbers of CD163+ cells, greater numbers of CLSs in VAT and SAT, and a higher expression of COL6α3 in both compartments. Conclusions: Obesity in childhood may lead to increased COL6α3 gene expression and promote the activation of macrophage polarization, compromise the structural integrity of the ECM, and thus influence the development of inflammatory processes.
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Mujkić et al. (2025) conducted a cross-sectional in Overweight and obesity (n=75). Overweight and obesity vs. Normal weight (lower Z-score group) was evaluated on Number of CD163+ cells, crown-like structures (CLSs), and COL6α3 gene expression in subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue. Overweight and obesity in male children were associated with higher numbers of CD163+ cells, more crown-like structures, and increased COL6α3 expression in visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue.
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