Il grasso può anche essere utile. Le cellule adipose che si trovano sotto la pelle infatti ci proteggono dalle infezioni e dai batteri, spiegano i ricercatori dell'università della California, coordinati da Richard Gallo, in uno studio pubblicato sulla rivista “Science”.
“Prima si pensava che una volta 'rotta' la barriera della pelle, spiega Gallo, toccasse solo ai globuli bianchi proteggerci dalle infezioni. Gli studi hanno dimostrato che anche le cellule staminali del grasso sono responsabili delle nostre difese”.
Gli adipociti possono produrre degli antimicrobici, che si comportano quasi come i neutrofili, cioè le cellule dei globuli bianchi specializzate nel divorare gli agenti patogeni. Prima che i globuli bianchi entrino in scena, il corpo chiede dunque una risposta più immediata per far fronte alla capacità di molti microbi di crescere rapidamente di numero.
Red.MM/ATS/Swing
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