Open Access

Timo Schmitz, Dennis Freuer, Christa Meisinger, Jakob Linseisen

• Objective To investigate the associations between several anthropometric parameters and regulatory T cells (Tregs) and circulating cytokines in a population-based cohort. Methods Between 2018 and 2021, a total of 238 participants were examined up to three times within the scope of the MEGA study in Augsburg, Germany. Tregs were analyzed using flow cytometry and the serum concentrations of 52 cytokines were determined. Anthropometric parameters were measured, using also bioelectrical impedance analysis: body mass index (BMI), relative total body fat, relative visceral adipose tissue (rVAT), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and body fat distribution. Associations were analyzed using linear mixed models with random intercept (Tregs) and conventional linear regression models (cytokines). Results WC and WHR were inversely associated with the general Treg subset. Four parameters (BMI, rVAT, WC, and WHR) were inversely associated with the conventional TregObjective To investigate the associations between several anthropometric parameters and regulatory T cells (Tregs) and circulating cytokines in a population-based cohort. Methods Between 2018 and 2021, a total of 238 participants were examined up to three times within the scope of the MEGA study in Augsburg, Germany. Tregs were analyzed using flow cytometry and the serum concentrations of 52 cytokines were determined. Anthropometric parameters were measured, using also bioelectrical impedance analysis: body mass index (BMI), relative total body fat, relative visceral adipose tissue (rVAT), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and body fat distribution. Associations were analyzed using linear mixed models with random intercept (Tregs) and conventional linear regression models (cytokines). Results WC and WHR were inversely associated with the general Treg subset. Four parameters (BMI, rVAT, WC, and WHR) were inversely associated with the conventional Treg population. Three cytokines showed a particularly strong association with several anthropometric parameters: the cutaneous T-cell attracting chemokine was inversely associated with anthropometric parameters, while hepatocyte growth factor and interleukine-18 showed positive associations. Conclusions Anthropometric measures are associated with Tregs and serum cytokine concentrations revealing new important interconnections between obesity and the adaptive immune system.…