ACTA ENDOCRINOLOGICA (BUC)

Context. In obesity, the infiltration of leukocytes into adipose tissue seems to play a key role in the development of inflammation and insulin resistance. Over-expression of adipophilin (ADPH) in adipose tissue, a protein which regulates lipid droplet structure and formation, has been reported in some studies. Objective. To investigate the role of ADPH 129- 137 as a target for CD8+ T-cells in PBMCs of patients with obesity. Subjects and Methods. PBMCs were obtained from 9 non-diabetic obese patients and 11 healthy subjects expressing the HLA-A0201 molecule. The ELISPOT assay used to monitor the presence of IFN-γ producing CD8+ T-cells against a HLA class I-restricted epitope derived from Adipophilin (ADPH 129-137) and two control peptides: Flu MP58-66 and Melan-A27-35. Results. The outcomes showed no significant difference between patient group and healthy donors in response to ADPH 129-137. Conclusion. These results demonstrated that ADPH 129-137 peptide possibly does not act as an autoantigen in patients with obesity.