Acute-phase responses and adipocytokines

Adipokines, also called adipocytokines, are highly bioactive substances mainly expressed by adipose tissue. In addition to adipocytes, different cell types resident in various tissues produce adipokines under pathophysiological conditions. Adipokines include a growing number of pluripotent molecules such as adiponectin, resistin, leptin, and visfatin. Since distinct effects of adipokines on inflammation have been described, their influence on the (innate) immune system has been investigated in rheumatology, gastroenterology, and endocrinology. This review gives an overview on the current knowledge about the influence which adipokines have on the immune system and chronic inflammation in rheumatic diseases.