The emerging role of adipokines as mediators of inflammation and immune responses

Interest in the biology of white adipose tissue (WAT) has increased dramatically since the discovery of leptin in 1994. The identification of the product of the gene obese (ob) threw light on the role of adipose tissue in the physiopathology of obesity-related diseases, and spurred the identification of numerous other adipokines, many of a pro-inflammatory nature. It has become increasingly evident that WAT-derived cytokines mediate between obesity-related exogenous factors (nutrition and lifestyle) and the molecular events that lead to metabolic syndrome and inflammatory and/or autoimmune conditions. Here, we review recent adipokine research, with particular attention to the roles of leptin, adiponectin, resistin, visfatin, apelin, vaspin and hepcidin in such conditions.