A metabolic dysregulation of the complex interaction between adipocytes and leukocytes promotes immunodeficiency due to altered secretion of pro- and antiinflammatory factors, including adipokines (e.g. leptin, adiponectin, omentin, resistin and further proinflammatory cytokines), which have an impact on the number of T-cells (altered CD8+/CD4+ ratio), natural killer cell activity as well as antigen presentation by dendritic cells. The gene discussed is CD8A; the disease is immunodeficiency disease.