Adipocyte autophagy-mediated signals in the control of macrophage phenotype during diet-induced obesity

A hallmark of obesity is a pathological expansion of white adipose tissue that is accompanied by an increase in local inflammation and fibrosis. Autophagy is increased during obesity in adipose tissue, however, its role remains incompletely understood. Here, we report that autophagy is a critical regulator of pathological white adipose tissue remodelling and inflammation in diet-induced obese mice. The absence of adipocyte autophagy substantially exacerbates pericellular fibrosis specifically in gonadal white adipose tissue, ameliorating metabolic syndrome. Notably, changes in tissue architecture correlate with increased infiltration of macrophages and autophagy-dependent rewiring of adipocyte metabolism.