Vall d’Hebron receives a FUNSECO grant to investigate the effects of obesity on adaptive immune function

The project, recently awarded to Dr. Ana Ciscar Belles and Dr. Ramon Vilallonga Puy, both based in the General Surgery Department of Vall d’Hebron University Hospital, will be funded by FUNSECO. Its main objective is to precisely define the effects of obesity on the adaptive immunity of obese patients and, more specifically, on the function of T lymphocytes.

Numerous epidemiological studies show that obesity is associated with a greater predisposition to infectious diseases, and that these diseases tend to be more severe in obese individuals. This was observed during the COVID-19 pandemic, where data demonstrated that infection of obese patients with the SARS-CoV-2 virus significantly increased the risk of hospitalization and the need for mechanical ventilation, greatly raising the mortality rate.

Despite the evidence, the reason why obese individuals have a reduced ability to respond to pathogens is still unknown. It appears to be associated with a deficient function of various cellular components of their immune system. This study specifically aims to investigate how excess body fat alters the number and function of T lymphocytes. These cells are a diverse population within the immune system responsible for modulating the host’s response to pathogens and participating in the elimination of cells infected by viruses or other microorganisms.

The study will identify the various populations of T cells in the blood and adipose tissue of obese and normal-weight patients, and will analyze their polarization and ability to secrete cytokines when activated in vitro. This will allow researchers to determine the functional state of T lymphocytes.

The study will be conducted jointly by the Endocrine, Metabolic, and Bariatric Surgery Unit of Vall d’Hebron University Hospital, under the direction of Dr. Vilallonga and Dr. Ciscar, and the Metabolism and Obesity Laboratory of the Vall d’Hebron Research Institute, led by Dr. Villena. It will also involve the collaboration of Dr. Ciudin, head of the hospital’s Comprehensive Obesity Treatment Unit.