Modulation of the Inflammatory Response by Adenovirus 36 in Patients with Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes: A Nested Case-Control Study Within a Cohort

• Published in: Viruses Vol. 17; no. 4; p. 552
• Main Authors: Gutiérrez-Hurtado, Itzae Adonai, Martínez-López, Erika, Rico-Méndez, Manuel Alejandro, Bravo-Villagra, Karla Mayela, Mendoza-Jaramillo, Héctor Eduardo, Sánchez-Rolón, María del Pilar, Betancourt-Núñez, Alejandra, Gallegos-Arreola, Martha Patricia, Tapia-Rivera, José Carlos, López-Quintero, Andres
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 10.04.2025; MDPI
• Subjects: adenovirus 36; Adenovirus Infections, Human - complications; Adenovirus Infections, Human - immunology; Adenovirus Infections, Human - virology; Adenoviruses; Adenoviruses, Human - immunology; Adipocytes; Adipose tissue; Adult; Aged; Antibodies; Body fat; Carbohydrates; Case-Control Studies; Cohort Studies; Cytokines; Cytokines - blood; Diabetes; Diabetes mellitus (non-insulin dependent); Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - immunology; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - virology; Enzymes; Ethics; Female; Glucose; Human subjects; Humans; Hypothesis testing; IL-6; Immune response; Inflammation; Inflammation - virology; inflammatory response; Insulin resistance; Interleukin 6; Interleukin 8; Lipids; Male; Medical research; Medicine, Experimental; Metabolic response; Metabolism; Middle Aged; Obesity; Obesity - immunology; Obesity - virology; Physiological aspects; Tumor necrosis factor-α; Type 2 diabetes; Mexico; United States > US; inflammatory response; type 2 diabetes; IL-6; obesity; adenovirus 36
• ISSN: 1999-4915; 1999-4915
• DOI: 10.3390/v17040552

Human adenovirus 36 (HAdV-36) is associated with obesity, potentially by promoting adipocyte proliferation and differentiation. Although linked to increased fat storage, HAdV-36 is also correlated with improved insulin sensitivity. Given its potential role in modulating adipose tissue and promoting a less inflammatory metabolic profile, its impacts on pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine secretion remain unclear. Methods: This nested case-control study compared cytokine levels (IL-10, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α) between patients with and without HAdV-36 infection. A total of 76 participants were included, with 37 in the control group (HAdV-36 negative) and 39 classified as cases (HAdV-36 positive). Results: HAdV-36 seropositive individuals exhibited significantly lower IL-6 levels and higher IL-8 levels than seronegative participants. Additionally, they had lower glucose levels, suggesting a potential link between HAdV-36 and metabolic regulation. Conclusions: These findings support the hypothesis that HAdV-36 may influence inflammatory and metabolic responses by modulating cytokine expression and glucose levels. Further research is needed to clarify the underlying mechanisms and their implications for metabolic health.