Creeping fat and Crohn′s disease: update in basic research

Adipose tissue is not only an organ for energy storage, but also immune active, which is involved in pathogenesis of various human diseases. As a hallmark of Crohn′s disease, creeping fat (or fat wrapping) has been reported to play an crucial role in mechanism of intestinal inflammation and fibrosis in CD. Recent studies indicated that surgical removal of involved mesenteric fat could even significantly reduce the risk of postoperative recurrence in CD. Increasing attention has been paid to the research about creeping fat in CD. This review concisely summarizes the state-to-art knowledge in creeping fat, analyzes some potential research bottleneck, and finally proposes future outlooks in the field. Key words: Crohn′s disease; Mesenteric fat; Creeping fat