Elucidating lipid-accumulating macrophages in health and diseases

Abstract

Leukocytes, including macrophages, and their interaction with other cells and chemicals such as therapeutic drugs have been widely studied. In recent years, it has been found that tissue-resident macrophages can exhibit the behaviour of lipid accumulation (called lipid accumulating macrophages – LAMs). Still, their contribution to health and disease remains unclear. On the other hand, the increasing obesity in the world population is concerning. Hence, this study aims to investigate the existence of this type of macrophages in the gut, especially in obese mice. CD64+ macrophages were isolated and purified via cell sorting from obese and, for comparison, from lean mice’s small intestines. Subsequently, cytocentrifuged and stained with a lipid-specific dye to visualize intestinal LAMs under immunofluorescence imaging. This study has shown that intestinal LAMs were predominantly found in obese mice but not in the gut of lean counterparts. Furthermore, prominent inflammation in the gut of obese mice is also observed when cryosection of the gut is carried out. This study has provided insights for further research into LAMs, their impact and contribution to diseases and possible future therapeutic approaches that can be applied in healthcare for obese patients.