Toll-like receptors in the pathophysiology of obesity

Obesity is a complex and relevant global medical and social problem. The adipose tissue is not only a place of deposition of energy substrates but also a source of secretion of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory mediators involved in the development of the chronic latent systemic inflammatory process in the organism with obesity. The metabolic signal in obesity contributes to the polarization of macrophages in the M1 direction and triggers the Th1 immune response, causing the development of adipose tissue inflammation. A chronic inflammatory condition plays a key role in the pathophysiology of obesity-induced insulin resistance. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) may be a possible pathophysiological link in the development of insulin resistance in inflammation. At the same time, inflammation-induced lipolysis is necessary for the release of energy resources during the development of the infectious process. Thus, low-grade inflammation is important to protect against adipocyte dysfunction. These results suggest that pro-inflammatory signaling is not exclusively pathogenic in obesity. In this regard, the study of inflammatory signaling pathways involved in the modulation of chronic inflammation of adipose tissue is particularly relevant. This review summarizes current views on the structure, function of TLRs and their involvement in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammation in obesity. The possibility of using TLRs as a therapeutic target in this pathology is discussed. Obviously, further study of inflammatory signaling pathways involving TLRs initiating the development of chronic inflammation of adipose tissue will allow the development of new and effective therapeutic strategies for obesity and its metabolic complications.