The Role of Adipose Tissue in Metabolic Diseases and Beyond

A special issue of Cells (ISSN 2073-4409). This special issue belongs to the section "Tissues and Organs".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 October 2022) | Viewed by 34556

Special Issue Editors


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Biology, University of Rome ‘Tor Vergata’, Via della Ricerca Scientifica, 00133 Rome, Italy
Interests: adipose tissue biology; BAT; WAT; lipid metabolism; oxidative stress; autophagy; cancer metabolism
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
Interests: adipose tissue biology; metabolism, inflammation; epigenetics; neurodegeneration; cancer metabolism
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Inserm UMR-S 1185, "Endocrine Physiology and Pathophysiology", Paris-Saclay University, 63 rue Gabriel Péri, 94276 Le Kremlin-Bicêtre Cedex, France
Interests: Adipose tissue biology, BAT, WAT; adipokines; hormonal signaling; nuclear receptors (Mineralocorticoid and glucocorticoid receptors)

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

From a tissue largely misunderstood as an inert depot of fat to be used in case of energy shortage, the role of adipose tissue in pathophysiology has been completely re-evaluated in the last decades. Adipose tissue controls the homeostasis of peripheral organs, but it has also been shown to establish a crosstalk with the central nervous system. Unlike other organs, adipose tissue is distributed throughout our body and there are different depots of adipocytes that perform specific functions, including energy balance for white adipocytes and thermoregulation for brown/beige adipocytes. In addition, adipocytes can adjust their phenotype and secrete a plethora of signalling molecules and metabolites in response to bioenergetic signals to control metabolic and inflammatory responses of neighbouring and distal organs. All these aspects justify the contribution of adipose tissue to a variety of metabolic disorders and pathological states.

This special issue aims to collect brief reports, research articles, reviews, and mini reviews on the biology of white adipose tissue (WAT) and brown adipose tissue (BAT) in the context of metabolic diseases and beyond. Topics concerning (but not limited to) metabolic and endocrine functions of BAT/WAT, browning and inflammation, in relation to obesity and diabetes as well as cancer and neurodegeneration, are welcome.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Maria Rosa Ciriolo
Dr. Fabio Ciccarone
Dr. Say Viengchareun
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 papers will be 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 monthly 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 2200 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

  • Adipose tissue biology
  • BAT
  • WAT
  • Adipokines
  • metabolic syndrome
  • lipid metabolism
  • endocrinology
  • diabetes
  • obesity
  • 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 polices can be found here.

Published Papers (11 papers)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

17 pages, 4352 KiB  
Article
Subcutaneous Stromal Cells and Visceral Adipocyte Size Are Determinants of Metabolic Flexibility in Obesity and in Response to Weight Loss Surgery
by Séverine Ledoux, Nathalie Boulet, Chloé Belles, Alexia Zakaroff-Girard, Arnaud Bernard, Albéric Germain, Pauline Decaunes, Anaïs Briot, Jean Galitzky and Anne Bouloumié
Cells 2022, 11(22), 3540; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells11223540 - 9 Nov 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1537
Abstract
Adipose tissue (AT) expansion either through hypertrophy or hyperplasia is determinant in the link between obesity and metabolic alteration. The present study aims to profile the unhealthy subcutaneous and visceral AT (SAT, VAT) expansion in obesity and in the outcomes of bariatric surgery [...] Read more.
Adipose tissue (AT) expansion either through hypertrophy or hyperplasia is determinant in the link between obesity and metabolic alteration. The present study aims to profile the unhealthy subcutaneous and visceral AT (SAT, VAT) expansion in obesity and in the outcomes of bariatric surgery (BS). The repartition of adipocytes according to diameter and the numbers of progenitor subtypes and immune cells of SAT and VAT from 161 obese patients were determined by cell imaging and flow cytometry, respectively. Associations with insulin resistance (IR) prior to BS as well as with the loss of excessive weight (EWL) and IR at 1 and 3 years post-BS were studied; prior to BS, SAT and VAT, unhealthy expansions are characterized by the accumulation of adipogenic progenitors and CD4+ T lymphocytes and by adipocyte hypertrophy and elevated macrophage numbers, respectively. Such SAT stromal profile and VAT adipocyte hypertrophy are associated with adverse BS outcomes. Finally, myofibrogenic progenitors are a common determinant of weight and IR trajectories post-BS; the study suggests that adipogenesis in SAT and adipocyte hypertrophy in VAT are common determinants of metabolic alterations with obesity and of the weight loss and metabolic response to bariatric surgery. The data open up new avenues to better understand and predict individual outcomes in response to changes in energy balance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Adipose Tissue in Metabolic Diseases and Beyond)
Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 2222 KiB  
Article
Prolonged Antiretroviral Treatment Induces Adipose Tissue Remodelling Associated with Mild Inflammation in SIV-Infected Macaques
by Aude Mausoléo, Anaelle Olivo, Delphine Desjardins, Asier Sáez-Cirión, Aurélie Barrail-Tran, Véronique Avettand-Fenoel, Nicolas Noël, Claire Lagathu, Véronique Béréziat, Roger Le Grand, Olivier Lambotte and Christine Bourgeois
Cells 2022, 11(19), 3104; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells11193104 - 2 Oct 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2431
Abstract
During chronic SIV/HIV infection, adipose tissue (AT) is the target of both antiretroviral treatment (ART) and the virus. AT might subsequently contribute to the low-grade systemic inflammation observed in patients on ART. To evaluate the inflammatory profile of AT during chronic SIV/HIV infection, [...] Read more.
During chronic SIV/HIV infection, adipose tissue (AT) is the target of both antiretroviral treatment (ART) and the virus. AT might subsequently contribute to the low-grade systemic inflammation observed in patients on ART. To evaluate the inflammatory profile of AT during chronic SIV/HIV infection, we assayed subcutaneous and visceral abdominal AT from non-infected (SIV−, control), ART-naïve SIV-infected (SIV+) and ART-controlled SIV-infected (SIV+ART+) cynomolgus macaques for the mRNA expression of genes coding for factors related to inflammation. Significant differences were observed only when comparing the SIV+ART+ group with the SIV+ and/or SIV− groups. ART-treated infection impacted the metabolic fraction (with elevated expression of PPARγ and CEBPα), the extracellular matrix (with elevated expression of COL1A2 and HIF-1α), and the inflammatory profile. Both pro- and anti-inflammatory signatures were detected in AT, with greater mRNA expression of anti-inflammatory markers (adiponectin and CD163) and markers associated with inflammation (TNF-α, Mx1, CCL5 and CX3CL1). There were no intergroup differences in other markers (IL-6 and MCP-1). In conclusion, we observed marked differences in the immune and metabolic profiles of AT in the context of an ART-treated, chronic SIV infection; these differences were related more to ART than to SIV infection per se. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Adipose Tissue in Metabolic Diseases and Beyond)
Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 1403 KiB  
Article
Dectin-1 as a Potential Inflammatory Biomarker for Metabolic Inflammation in Adipose Tissue of Individuals with Obesity
by Ashraf Al Madhoun, Shihab Kochumon, Fatema Al-Rashed, Sardar Sindhu, Reeby Thomas, Lavina Miranda, Fahd Al-Mulla and Rasheed Ahmad
Cells 2022, 11(18), 2879; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells11182879 - 15 Sep 2022
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2635
Abstract
In obesity, macrophage activation and infiltration in adipose tissue (AT) underlie chronic low-grade inflammation-induced insulin resistance. Although dectin-1 is primarily a pathogen recognition receptor and innate immune response modulator, its role in metabolic syndromes remains to be clarified. This study aimed to investigate [...] Read more.
In obesity, macrophage activation and infiltration in adipose tissue (AT) underlie chronic low-grade inflammation-induced insulin resistance. Although dectin-1 is primarily a pathogen recognition receptor and innate immune response modulator, its role in metabolic syndromes remains to be clarified. This study aimed to investigate the dectin-1 gene expression in subcutaneous AT in the context of obesity and associated inflammatory markers. Subcutaneous AT biopsies were collected from 59 nondiabetic (lean/overweight/obese) individuals. AT gene expression levels of dectin-1 and inflammatory markers were determined via real-time reverse transcriptase-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Dectin-1 protein expression was assessed using immunohistochemistry. Plasma lipid profiles were measured by ELISA. AT dectin-1 transcripts and proteins were significantly elevated in obese as compared to lean individuals. AT dectin-1 transcripts correlated positively with body mass index and fat percentage (r ≥ 0.340, p ≤ 0.017). AT dectin-1 RNA levels correlated positively with clinical parameters, including plasma C-reactive protein and CCL5/RANTES, but negatively with that of adiponectin. The expression of dectin-1 transcripts was associated with that of various proinflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and their cognate receptors (r ≥ 0.300, p ≤ 0.05), but not with anti-inflammatory markers. Dectin-1 and members of the TLR signaling cascade were found to be significantly associated, suggesting an interplay between the two pathways. Dectin-1 expression was correlated with monocyte/macrophage markers, including CD16, CD68, CD86, and CD163, suggesting its monocytes/macrophage association in an adipose inflammatory microenvironment. Dectin-1 expression was independently predicted by CCR5, CCL20, TLR2, and MyD88. In conclusion, dectin-1 may be regarded as an AT biomarker of metabolic inflammation in obesity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Adipose Tissue in Metabolic Diseases and Beyond)
Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 3014 KiB  
Article
The Stress-Responsive microRNA-34a Alters Insulin Signaling and Actions in Adipocytes through Induction of the Tyrosine Phosphatase PTP1B
by Pierre-Jean Cornejo, Bastien Vergoni, Mickaël Ohanna, Brice Angot, Teresa Gonzalez, Jennifer Jager, Jean-François Tanti and Mireille Cormont
Cells 2022, 11(16), 2581; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells11162581 - 19 Aug 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2273
Abstract
Metabolic stresses alter the signaling and actions of insulin in adipocytes during obesity, but the molecular links remain incompletely understood. Members of the microRNA-34 (miR-34 family play a pivotal role in stress response, and previous studies showed an upregulation of miR-34a in adipose [...] Read more.
Metabolic stresses alter the signaling and actions of insulin in adipocytes during obesity, but the molecular links remain incompletely understood. Members of the microRNA-34 (miR-34 family play a pivotal role in stress response, and previous studies showed an upregulation of miR-34a in adipose tissue during obesity. Here, we identified miR-34a as a new mediator of adipocyte insulin resistance. We confirmed the upregulation of miR-34a in adipose tissues of obese mice, which was observed in the adipocyte fraction exclusively. Overexpression of miR-34a in 3T3-L1 adipocytes or in fat pads of lean mice markedly reduced Akt activation by insulin and the insulin-induced glucose transport. This was accompanied by a decreased expression of VAMP2, a target of miR-34a, and an increased expression of the tyrosine phosphatase PTP1B. Importantly, PTP1B silencing prevented the inhibitory effect of miR-34a on insulin signaling. Mechanistically, miR-34a decreased the NAD+ level through inhibition of Naprt and Nampt, resulting in an inhibition of Sirtuin-1, which promoted an upregulation of PTP1B. Furthermore, the mRNA expression of Nampt and Naprt was decreased in adipose tissue of obese mice. Collectively, our results identify miR-34a as a new inhibitor of insulin signaling in adipocytes, providing a potential pathway to target to fight insulin resistance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Adipose Tissue in Metabolic Diseases and Beyond)
Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 975 KiB  
Article
Maternal Vitamin D Deficiency in Mice Increases White Adipose Tissue Inflammation in Offspring
by Nicole Haroun, Imene Bennour, Eva Seipelt, Julien Astier, Charlene Couturier, Lourdes Mounien and Jean-François Landrier
Cells 2022, 11(13), 2024; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells11132024 - 25 Jun 2022
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 1913
Abstract
Vitamin D is acknowledged to play an important biological and metabolic role in adipose tissue, which is also the main storage site for this vitamin. Its anti-inflammatory effect in adipocytes and adipose tissue has notably been highlighted in adult mice. This vitamin is [...] Read more.
Vitamin D is acknowledged to play an important biological and metabolic role in adipose tissue, which is also the main storage site for this vitamin. Its anti-inflammatory effect in adipocytes and adipose tissue has notably been highlighted in adult mice. This vitamin is also crucial during fetal development since maternal vitamin D deficiency is suspected to program future metabolic disorders. Based on these observations, the aim of this study was to evaluate the consequences of maternal vitamin D deficiency (VDD) on white adipose tissue inflammation in adult offspring fed with normal or obesogenic diet (high-fat diet). White adipose tissue morphology, RNA and miRNA expression profiles, and signaling pathways were studied in adult males and females. In males, a HF diet coupled with maternal VDD increased expression of RNA and miRNA linked to inflammation leading to over-representation of inflammatory pathways. Interestingly, genomic and epigenetic profiles were associated with activation of the NF-kB signaling pathway and adiposity index. In females, no major modulation of inflammatory pathways was observed under VDD, contrarily to males. We concluded that maternal VDD coupled with HF diet activated inflammatory pathway in adipose tissue of the offspring, in a sex-dependent manner. Such activation is strongly related to activation of NF-kB signaling and increased adiposity only in males. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Adipose Tissue in Metabolic Diseases and Beyond)
Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 2593 KiB  
Article
Inhibition of Adipose Tissue Beiging by HIV Integrase Inhibitors, Dolutegravir and Bictegravir, Is Associated with Adipocyte Hypertrophy, Hypoxia, Elevated Fibrosis, and Insulin Resistance in Simian Adipose Tissue and Human Adipocytes
by Kenza Ngono Ayissi, Jennifer Gorwood, Laura Le Pelletier, Christine Bourgeois, Carine Beaupère, Martine Auclair, Roberta Foresti, Roberto Motterlini, Michael Atlan, Aurélie Barrail-Tran, Roger Le Grand, Delphine Desjardins, Bruno Fève, Olivier Lambotte, Jacqueline Capeau, Véronique Béréziat and Claire Lagathu
Cells 2022, 11(11), 1841; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells11111841 - 4 Jun 2022
Cited by 19 | Viewed by 3591
Abstract
For people living with HIV, treatment with integrase-strand-transfer-inhibitors (INSTIs) can promote adipose tissue (AT) gain. We previously demonstrated that INSTIs can induce hypertrophy and fibrosis in AT of macaques and humans. By promoting energy expenditure, the emergence of beige adipocytes in white AT [...] Read more.
For people living with HIV, treatment with integrase-strand-transfer-inhibitors (INSTIs) can promote adipose tissue (AT) gain. We previously demonstrated that INSTIs can induce hypertrophy and fibrosis in AT of macaques and humans. By promoting energy expenditure, the emergence of beige adipocytes in white AT (beiging) could play an important role by limiting excess lipid storage and associated adipocyte dysfunction. We hypothesized that INSTIs could alter AT via beiging inhibition. Fibrosis and gene expression were measured in subcutaneous (SCAT) and visceral AT (VAT) from SIV-infected, dolutegravir-treated (SIVART) macaques. Beiging capacity was assessed in human adipose stromal cells (ASCs) undergoing differentiation and being exposed to dolutegravir, bictegravir, or raltegravir. Expression of beige markers, such as positive-regulatory-domain-containing-16 (PRDM16), were lower in AT of SIVART as compared to control macaques, whereas fibrosis-related genes were higher. Dolutegravir and bictegravir inhibited beige differentiation in ASCs, as shown by lower expression of beige markers and lower cell respiration. INSTIs also induced a hypertrophic insulin-resistant state associated with a pro-fibrotic phenotype. Our results indicate that adipocyte hypertrophy induced by INSTIs is involved via hypoxia (revealed by a greater hypoxia-inducible-factor-1-alpha gene expression) in fat fibrosis, beiging inhibition, and thus (via positive feedback), probably, further hypertrophy and associated insulin resistance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Adipose Tissue in Metabolic Diseases and Beyond)
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

17 pages, 2701 KiB  
Article
Transcriptional and DNA Methylation Signatures of Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue and Adipose-Derived Stem Cells in PCOS Women
by Adeline Divoux, Edina Erdos, Katie Whytock, Timothy F. Osborne and Steven R. Smith
Cells 2022, 11(5), 848; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells11050848 - 1 Mar 2022
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3520
Abstract
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is often associated with metabolic syndrome features, including central obesity, suggesting that adipose tissue (AT) is a key organ in PCOS pathobiology. In this study, we compared both abdominal (ABD) and gluteofemoral (GF) subcutaneous AT in women with and [...] Read more.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is often associated with metabolic syndrome features, including central obesity, suggesting that adipose tissue (AT) is a key organ in PCOS pathobiology. In this study, we compared both abdominal (ABD) and gluteofemoral (GF) subcutaneous AT in women with and without PCOS. ABD and GF subcutaneous ATs from PCOS and BMI/WHR-matched control women were analyzed by RT-qPCR, FACS and histology. ABD and GF adipose-derived stem cell (ASC) transcriptome and methylome were analyzed by RNA-seq and DNA methylation array. Similar to the control group with abdominal obesity, the GF AT of PCOS women showed lower expression of genes involved in lipid accumulation and angiogenesis compared to ABD depot. FACS analysis revealed an increase in preadipocytes number in both AT depots from PCOS. Further pathway analysis of RNA-seq comparisons demonstrated that the ASCs derived from PCOS are pro-inflammatory and exhibit a hypoxic signature in the ABD depot and have lower expression of adipogenic genes in GF depot. We also found a higher CpG methylation level in PCOS compared to control exclusively in GF-ASCs. Our data suggest that ASCs play an important role in the etiology of PCOS, potentially by limiting expansion of the healthy lower-body AT. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Adipose Tissue in Metabolic Diseases and Beyond)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

18 pages, 1023 KiB  
Review
Nutraceuticals in Brown Adipose Tissue Activation
by Andrea Armani, Alessandra Feraco, Elisabetta Camajani, Stefania Gorini, Mauro Lombardo and Massimiliano Caprio
Cells 2022, 11(24), 3996; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells11243996 - 10 Dec 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 4622
Abstract
Obesity and its associated comorbidities have become pandemic, and challenge the global healthcare system. Lifestyle changes, nutritional interventions and phamaceuticals should be differently combined in a personalized strategy to tackle such a public health burden. Altered brown adipose tissue (BAT) function contributes to [...] Read more.
Obesity and its associated comorbidities have become pandemic, and challenge the global healthcare system. Lifestyle changes, nutritional interventions and phamaceuticals should be differently combined in a personalized strategy to tackle such a public health burden. Altered brown adipose tissue (BAT) function contributes to the pathophysiology of obesity and glucose metabolism dysfunctions. BAT thermogenic activity burns glucose and fatty acids to produce heat through uncoupled respiration, and can dissipate the excessive calorie intake, reduce glycemia and circulate fatty acids released from white adipose tissue. Thus, BAT activity is expected to contribute to whole body energy homeostasis and protect against obesity, diabetes and alterations in lipid profile. To date, pharmacological therapies aimed at activating brown fat have failed in clinical trials, due to cardiovascular side effects or scarce efficacy. On the other hand, several studies have identified plant-derived chemical compounds capable of stimulating BAT thermogenesis in animal models, suggesting the translational applications of dietary supplements to fight adipose tissue dysfunctions. This review describes several nutraceuticals with thermogenic properties and provides indications, at a molecular level, of the regulation of the adipocyte thermogenesis by the mentioned phytochemicals. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Adipose Tissue in Metabolic Diseases and Beyond)
Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 1395 KiB  
Review
Role of Adipose Tissue microRNAs in the Onset of Metabolic Diseases and Implications in the Context of the DOHaD
by Laurent Kappeler
Cells 2022, 11(23), 3711; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells11233711 - 22 Nov 2022
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2005
Abstract
The worldwide epidemic of obesity is associated with numerous comorbid conditions, including metabolic diseases such as insulin resistance and diabetes, in particular. The situation is likely to worsen, as the increase in obesity rates among children will probably lead to an earlier onset [...] Read more.
The worldwide epidemic of obesity is associated with numerous comorbid conditions, including metabolic diseases such as insulin resistance and diabetes, in particular. The situation is likely to worsen, as the increase in obesity rates among children will probably lead to an earlier onset and more severe course for metabolic diseases. The origin of this earlier development of obesity may lie in both behavior (changes in nutrition, physical activity, etc.) and in children’s history, as it appears to be at least partly programmed by the fetal/neonatal environment. The concept of the developmental origin of health and diseases (DOHaD), involving both organogenesis and epigenetic mechanisms, encompasses such programming. Epigenetic mechanisms include the action of microRNAs, which seem to play an important role in adipocyte functions. Interestingly, microRNAs seem to play a particular role in propagating local insulin resistance to other key organs, thereby inducing global insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. This propagation involves the active secretion of exosomes containing microRNAs by adipocytes and adipose tissue-resident macrophages, as well as long-distance communication targeting the muscles and liver, for example. Circulating microRNAs may also be useful as biomarkers for the identification of populations at risk of subsequently developing obesity and metabolic diseases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Adipose Tissue in Metabolic Diseases and Beyond)
Show Figures

Figure 1

28 pages, 7069 KiB  
Review
Importance of the Microenvironment and Mechanosensing in Adipose Tissue Biology
by Simon Lecoutre, Mélanie Lambert, Krzysztof Drygalski, Isabelle Dugail, Salwan Maqdasy, Mathieu Hautefeuille and Karine Clément
Cells 2022, 11(15), 2310; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells11152310 - 27 Jul 2022
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 4503
Abstract
The expansion of adipose tissue is an adaptive mechanism that increases nutrient buffering capacity in response to an overall positive energy balance. Over the course of expansion, the adipose microenvironment undergoes continual remodeling to maintain its structural and functional integrity. However, in the [...] Read more.
The expansion of adipose tissue is an adaptive mechanism that increases nutrient buffering capacity in response to an overall positive energy balance. Over the course of expansion, the adipose microenvironment undergoes continual remodeling to maintain its structural and functional integrity. However, in the long run, adipose tissue remodeling, typically characterized by adipocyte hypertrophy, immune cells infiltration, fibrosis and changes in vascular architecture, generates mechanical stress on adipose cells. This mechanical stimulus is then transduced into a biochemical signal that alters adipose function through mechanotransduction. In this review, we describe the physical changes occurring during adipose tissue remodeling, and how they regulate adipose cell physiology and promote obesity-associated dysfunction in adipose tissue. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Adipose Tissue in Metabolic Diseases and Beyond)
Show Figures

Figure 1

10 pages, 3029 KiB  
Review
The Endocrine Adipose Organ: A System Playing a Central Role in COVID-19
by Francesca Cinti and Saverio Cinti
Cells 2022, 11(13), 2109; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells11132109 - 4 Jul 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2766
Abstract
In the last 30 years the adipose cell has been object of several studies, turning its reputation from an inert cell into the main character involved in the pathophysiology of multiple diseases, including the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which has changed the clinical scenario [...] Read more.
In the last 30 years the adipose cell has been object of several studies, turning its reputation from an inert cell into the main character involved in the pathophysiology of multiple diseases, including the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which has changed the clinical scenario of the last two years. Composed by two types of tissue (white and brown), with opposite roles, the adipose organ is now classified as a real endocrine organ whose dysfunction is involved in different diseases, mainly obesity and type 2 diabetes. In this mini-review we aim to retrace the adipose organ history from physiology to physiopathology, to provide therapeutic perspectives for the prevention and treatment of its two main related diseases (obesity and type 2 diabetes) and to summarize the most recent discoveries linking adipose tissue to COVID-19. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Adipose Tissue in Metabolic Diseases and Beyond)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop