Obesity is characterized by chronic low-grade inflammation with increased adipose tissue proinflammatory cytokine production. Acylation stimulating protein (ASP) stimulates triglyceride synthesis and glucose transport via its receptor C5L2. Circulating ASP is increased in obesity, insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. The present study examines the effects of normal (50 nM), high physiological (200 nM) and pathological (600 nM) levels of ASP on inflammatory changes in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and J774 macrophages and the underlying mechanisms involved. Treatment with ASP for 24 h increased monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP1, 800%, P < 0.001) and keratinocyte-derived chemokine (KC, > 150%, P < 0.01) secretion in adipocytes in a dose-dependent manner, with no effect on IL-6 or adiponectin. In macrophages, ASP had no effect on these cytokines. C5a, a ligand for C5L2 and C5aR receptors, differed from ASP. Macrophage-adipocyte coculture increased MCP-1 and adiponectin secretion, and ASP further enhanced secretion (P < 0.001 and P < 0.05, respectively) at doses of 50 nM and 200 nM. ASP increased Ser(468) and Ser(536) phosphorylation of p65 NF kappa B in a time- and concentration-dependent manner (P < 0.05) as well as phosphorylation of Akt Ser(473) (p = 0.02). ASP and insulin stimulations of Ser(536) p65 NF kappa B phosphorylation were comparable (both p < 0.05) but not additive. Both inhibition of PI3kinase (with wortmannin) and NF kappa B (with BAY11-7085) prevented ASP stimulation of MCP-1 and KC secretion in adipocytes. These findings suggest that ASP, especially at high physiologic doses, may stimulate specific inflammatory cytokines in adipocytes through PI3kinase- and NF kappa B-dependant pathways, thus further promoting macrophage infiltration and local inflammation in obese adipose tissue. (c) 2012 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.