The close relationship between metabolism and the immune system (immunometabolism) plays an essential role in the development of insulin resistance and T2DM associated with obesity states. Changes in the intestinal microbiota that occur in obese individuals are the first trigger of chronic low-grade inflammation that alters the functions of the tissues responsible for the control of the body’s glucose homeostasis. Among them, the liver is a target organ of proinflammatory mediators from the intestine (endotoxins) and brown and white adipose tissues (cytokines, adipokines, free fatty acids and reactive lipid species) and is also able to recruit circulating monocytes that together with the resident macrophages (Kuppfer cells) contribute to exacerbate the intrahepatic inflammatory response that in turn modulates autophagy. These conditions determine the progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Our group is currently investigating the role of autophagy in some of these processes.

Our group belongs to CIBERdem (Biomedical Research Networking Centre (CIBER) – Diabetes and Associated Metabolic Diseases Area).

AMV is coordinator of the H2020-MSCA-ITN-2016 (Marie Skłodowska-Curie Innovative Training Networks) TREATMENT. Grant agreement No: 721236