Immune cells (or gd T cells) swarm around fat cells (adipocytes) in fat tissue to regulate their lipid burning vs storage. Credit: Lydia Lynch, Trinity College Dublin
Scientists have just made a surprising discovery involving fat and special immune cells that live within it – it turns out that ‘gd T cells’ are the key cogs in the biological wheel that regulates our body heat and protects us against cold shock. The discovery thus reveals a peculiar and previously unknown aspect of the immune system – as well as driving our response to infection, it also plays a role in regulating our metabolism. In addition, this discovery has put the spotlight on a potential new target for therapies designed to help individuals either lose or gain weight.
There are two quite distinct types of fat – white a...
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