How Maternal Obesity Reprograms Liver Immune Cells and Affects Offspring's Metabolism

Recent research from the University of Bonn sheds light on how maternal obesity can impact the metabolic health of the next generation. The study reveals that during pregnancy, certain liver immune cells called Kupffer cells in obese mice undergo a process of reprogramming, which influences the offspring's long-term liver health. Kupffer cells are specialized macrophages that play a critical role in liver function by fighting pathogens, clearing damaged cells, and instructing surrounding liver cells on their activities. However, maternal obesity appears to alter their normal conduct, leading them to emit signals that promote fat accumulation in liver cells even when the offspring consume a healthy diet.

This reprogramming involves a metabolic switch in Kupffer cells driven by a transcription factor, which changes their gene activity. The researchers found that when they genetically prevented this switch during pregnancy, the offspring did not develop fatty liver disease, highlighting a potential target for future therapeutic strategies. Fatty liver disease is often associated with inflammation, cell death, scarring, and an increased risk of liver cancer. These findings suggest that early developmental programming of immune cells plays a significant role in the onset of metabolic diseases.

The study emphasizes the importance of maternal health during pregnancy and opens avenues for interventions aimed at preventing obesity-related metabolic disorders in children. Ongoing research seeks to determine whether these mechanisms can be targeted with medications, offering hope for reducing the long-term health impacts of maternal obesity.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-06-reprogrammed-macrophages-obesity-affects-generation.html