Immunoengineering strategies using nanoparticles for obesity treatment

Obesity has emerged as a global epidemic, posing severe challenges to public health and contributing to various complications, including metabolic disorders, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes. This review provides a comprehensive overview of obesity, its associated comorbidities, and the limitations of conventional treatments. We explore the complex relationship between obesity-induced inflammation, immune dysregulation, and the pivotal role of adipose tissue macrophages (ATMs). Chronic low-grade inflammation in adipose tissues (AT) is a key driver of insulin resistance and metabolic dysfunction. As ATs expand, they undergo significant changes, including increased immune cell infiltration, particularly macrophages (MΦs), which shift from an anti-inflammatory towards a pro-inflammatory phenotype. This review aims to advance the understanding of immunomodulatory strategies by examining MΦ polarization and AT browning as promising therapeutic approaches. We focus on nanoparticles (NPs)-based strategies for immunomodulation, highlighting innovative engineering approaches designed to target the inflammatory pathways underlying obesity. By addressing these mechanisms, this review provides valuable insights into mitigating obesity-associated inflammation and related metabolic disorders, paving the way for novel therapeutic strategies in the fight against the global obesity epidemic.