Three-dimensional mechanisms of immune-metabolic-mechanical interactions in metabolic diseases associated with childhood obesity from the perspective of multi-system interaction networks

GUO Xirong

doi:10.11852/zgetbjzz2025-0969

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Chinese Journal of Child Health Care ›› 2025, Vol. 33 ›› Issue (10) : 1052-1055. DOI: 10.11852/zgetbjzz2025-0969

Three-dimensional mechanisms of immune-metabolic-mechanical interactions in metabolic diseases associated with childhood obesity from the perspective of multi-system interaction networks

GUO Xirong

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Abstract

Childhood obesity and its associated metabolic diseases (e.g., insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease, etc.) have emerged as a significant public health concern.Previous studies often focused on changes at the single organ or tissue level, making it challenging to elucidate the dynamic changes across multiple tissues and organs during the progression of obesity.Metabolic disorders related to childhood obesity are essentially complex network diseases initiated by the dysfunction or collapse of adipose tissue function, involving deep interactions among multiple systems such as immune system dysregulation and the collapse of metabolic homeostasis.This study systematically reviews current research progress on the mechanisms underlying the association between childhood obesity and metabolic diseases, with a focus on three key pathological pathways: chronic inflammation mediated by immune cells, metabolite accumulation and metabolic reprogramming, and abnormal changes in adipose tissue biomechanics microenvironment.It is reported that T cells, B cells, and macrophages exhibit altered activity in adipose tissue with obesity, establishing a bidirectional feedback loop between immunity and metabolism.Metabolites such as branched-chain amino acids and non-esterified fatty acids can interfere with insulin signaling, inducing insulin resistance.Besides, extracellular matrix stiffening and increased mechanical stress further activate inflammatory pathways, forming an immune-metabolic-matrix composite network.Metabolic abnormalities associated with childhood obesity are characterized by early onset, multi-organ involvement, and long-term persistence.Future research should enhance the integration of multi-omics technologies with investigations into the mechanisms of multi-system interactions, promoting the clinical translation of personalized intervention strategies, and thereby improving the prevention and treatment outcomes of childhood obesity-related metabolic diseases.

Key words

childhood obesity / metabolic diseases / immune cells / metabolic reprogramming / cellular biomechanics

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GUO Xirong. Three-dimensional mechanisms of immune-metabolic-mechanical interactions in metabolic diseases associated with childhood obesity from the perspective of multi-system interaction networks[J]. Chinese Journal of Child Health Care. 2025, 33(10): 1052-1055 https://doi.org/10.11852/zgetbjzz2025-0969

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