Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of Browning of Adipocytes in Metabolic Health and Disease
A special issue of Cells (ISSN 2073-4409). This special issue belongs to the section "Cellular Pathology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 July 2025 | Viewed by 153
Special Issue Editors
Interests: adipocyte differentiation; adipose stromal vascular fraction; adipose tissue remodeling; obesity; aging; molecular endocrinology
Interests: hibernation/torpor; metabolic syndrome; cell proliferation; thermolegulation; brown adipose tissue; adipocyte; obesity; metabolism
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Adipose tissue is a central and dynamic organ in the regulation of whole-body energy homeostasis and metabolism. Therefore, metabolic health is closely linked to the balance between energy-storing white adipose tissue (WAT) and energy-burning brown adipose tissue (BAT). Following the identification of metabolically active BAT in adult humans in 2009, there have been significant advances in our understanding of the dynamics of BAT. Given its metabolic efficacy, the expansion of BAT and the activation of existing BAT has attracted considerable interest as a potential therapeutic strategy to promote energy expenditure and counteract complications associated with metabolic disorders. Studies have demonstrated that mature adipocytes can undergo transdifferentiation into a brown-like phenotype (i.e., beige adipocytes) in response to specific stimuli, including cold exposure, dietary change, exercise, hormonal regulation, and drug treatment. This process, known as the browning of white adipocytes, involves a complex series of cellular and molecular events, including the activation of the thermogenic pathway, mitochondrial biogenesis, increased lipolysis and fatty acid oxidation, and the expression of BAT-specific transcription factors.
The aim of this Special Issue is to present the current understanding of BAT metabolism and its regulation, based on studies conducted in humans, animal models, or in vitro models. Particular emphasis will be placed on the molecular mechanisms by which the dysfunctional BAT promotes metabolic disorders such as obesity, aging, and inflammation. We also welcome submissions exploring novel approaches, including pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and cell/gene therapies aimed at enhancing BAT activity. Both original research articles and comprehensive reviews are encouraged to contribute to this Special Issue.
Dr. You Lee Son
Dr. Yuko Okamatsu-Ogura
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Cells is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- brown and white adipose tissue, BAT, and WAT
- brown, beige, and white adipocyte
- browning of white adipocyte
- adipocyte differentiation
- adipose tissue remodeling
- adipose hyperplasia and hypertrophy
- metabolic disorders
- obesity
- aging
- inflammation
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
- Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
- Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
- Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
- External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
- e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.
Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.
