Expression of inflammation-related genes is associated with adipose tissue location in horses.
Authors: Bruynsteen Lien, Erkens Tim, Peelman Luc J, Ducatelle Richard, Janssens Geert P J, Harris Patricia A, Hesta Myriam
Journal: BMC veterinary research
Summary
# Editorial Summary Adipose tissue depots across the equine body are not metabolically uniform, yet their functional differences and contribution to systemic inflammation remain poorly characterised compared to humans. Bruynsteen and colleagues used RT-qPCR analysis to measure inflammation-related gene expression across different fat depots in horses, examining adipocyte morphology and investigating macrophage infiltration as a potential driver of local inflammatory gene activity. The research demonstrated that gene expression profiles varied significantly depending on adipose tissue location, with implications for understanding why certain fat deposits—particularly those associated with insulin dysregulation—may pose greater metabolic risk than others. Critically, the study identified antigen-presenting cells within equine adipose tissue and established correlations between their presence and adipokine expression, suggesting that macrophage infiltration contributes to local inflammatory status in ways analogous to the human literature. For practitioners managing metabolic syndrome or laminitis-prone horses, these findings underscore that visceral or regional fat accumulation patterns carry different inflammatory consequences, potentially influencing risk stratification and targeted management of susceptible individuals.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Body fat distribution location matters for metabolic health in horses—not all fat deposits pose equal metabolic risk, so targeted conditioning and management strategies should account for depot-specific inflammation profiles
- •Monitor horses with abnormal fat distribution patterns (e.g., cresty neck, tailhead deposits) more closely for metabolic complications, as specific depots may drive systemic inflammatory responses
- •Understanding depot-specific inflammation may improve dietary and exercise interventions for metabolically compromised horses by targeting problem areas rather than treating all fat equally
Key Findings
- •Adipose tissue from different anatomical depots in horses exhibits varying mRNA expression profiles of inflammation-related genes
- •Macrophage infiltration and antigen-presenting cells are present in equine adipose tissue and correlate with adipokine expression patterns
- •Adipocyte morphology and number differ significantly between AT depots, suggesting depot-specific metabolic characteristics