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Cells
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Adipose Tissue Functioning in Health and Diseases
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Adipose Tissue Functioning in Health and Diseases

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 28 February 2026 | Viewed by 3183

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Richard C Chang

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Guest Editor
Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-2300, USA
Interests: obesogenic effects on metabolic health and transgenerational impacts; cellular and molecular mechanisms of adipogenesis; epigenetic regulation in metabolic diseases; role of microRNAs in inflammation and obesity; metabolic adaptation and programming in response to environmental exposures; endocrine and immune system interactions in metabolic regulation; high-fat diet-induced metabolic dysfunctions; chromatin dynamics in transgenerational epigenetic inheritance; preconception environmental exposures and their effects on offspring metabolism

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Adipose tissue plays a critical role in maintaining metabolic homeostasis and energy balance. Beyond serving as a storage depot for lipids, it functions as an endocrine organ that regulates various physiological processes through the secretion of adipokines and cytokines. However, dysregulation in adipose tissue function is implicated in the pathogenesis of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and other metabolic disorders. This Special Issue, Adipose Tissue Functioning in Health and Diseases, highlights innovative research exploring the cellular and molecular mechanisms governing adipose tissue function, its interactions with other tissues, and its role in disease development. We invite contributions that examine adipose tissue remodeling, thermogenic regulation, metabolic crosstalk, and therapeutic approaches targeting adipose tissue. By assembling diverse perspectives and novel findings, this issue seeks to provide a comprehensive understanding of adipose tissue’s role in health and disease.

Dr. Richard C Chang
Guest Editor

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

  • adipose tissue biology
  • adipogenesis
  • lipolysis
  • adipose tissue inflammation
  • diet-induced obesity
  • non-coding RNA in metabolism
  • PPARγ signaling
  • metabolic health and disease
  • obesogens
  • epigenetics and chromatin regulation
  • transgenerational inheritance

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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29 pages, 9850 KB  
Article
Novel Hyperplastic Expansion of White Adipose Tissue Underlies the Metabolically Healthy Obese Phenotype of Male LFABP Null Mice
by Anastasia Diolintzi, Yinxiu Zhou, Angelina Fomina, Yifei Sun, Seema Husain, Labros S. Sidossis, Susan K. Fried and Judith Storch
Cells 2025, 14(11), 760; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells14110760 - 22 May 2025
Viewed by 1530
Abstract
Obesity is an important risk factor for the development of metabolic syndrome disorders. We previously showed that the liver fatty acid-binding protein null mouse (LFABP−/−) becomes obese upon high-fat diet (HFD) feeding but remains metabolically healthy. Here, we find that [...] Read more.
Obesity is an important risk factor for the development of metabolic syndrome disorders. We previously showed that the liver fatty acid-binding protein null mouse (LFABP−/−) becomes obese upon high-fat diet (HFD) feeding but remains metabolically healthy. Here, we find that the obese LFABP−/− mouse increases subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) mass by markedly increasing the number rather than the size of adipocytes, as is typical with HFD. Indeed, while HFD-fed LFABP−/− mice had almost double the fat mass of WT, SAT adipocyte size was >4-fold smaller and adipocyte number was 5-fold higher in the LFABP−/−. Transcriptomic analysis of SAT revealed that Lfabp deletion alters the expression of multiple pathways that modulate adipose expansion and function including cholesterol biosynthesis, adipogenesis, and extracellular matrix remodeling. LFABP is expressed in the liver and small intestine but not in adipose tissues; thus, its ablation may promote interorgan crosstalk that drives the hyperplastic expansion of metabolically beneficial SAT, contributing to the healthy obese phenotype of the LFABP−/− mouse. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adipose Tissue Functioning in Health and Diseases)
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Review

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16 pages, 1290 KB  
Review
Platelet-Activating Factor-Induced Inflammation in Obesity: A Two-Sided Coin of Protection and Risk
by Smaragdi Antonopoulou
Cells 2025, 14(7), 471; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells14070471 - 21 Mar 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1313
Abstract
Obesity, marked by excessive fat accumulation, especially abdominal, is a global health concern with significant public impact. While obesity-associated chronic unresolved inflammation contributes to metabolic dysfunctions, acute inflammation supports healthy adipose tissue remodeling and expansion. Platelet-activating factor (PAF), a “primitive” signaling molecule, is [...] Read more.
Obesity, marked by excessive fat accumulation, especially abdominal, is a global health concern with significant public impact. While obesity-associated chronic unresolved inflammation contributes to metabolic dysfunctions, acute inflammation supports healthy adipose tissue remodeling and expansion. Platelet-activating factor (PAF), a “primitive” signaling molecule, is among the key mediators involved in the acute phase of inflammation and in various pathophysiological processes. This article explores the role of PAF in fat accumulation and obesity by reviewing experimental data from cell cultures, animals, and humans. It proposes an emerging biochemical mechanism in an attempt to explain its dual role in the healthy and obese adipose tissue, including also data on PAF’s potential involvement in epigenetic mechanisms that may be linked to the “obesity memory”. Finally, it highlights the potential of natural PAF modulators in promoting functional adipose tissue, thermogenesis, and obesity prevention through a healthy lifestyle, including a Mediterranean diet rich in PAF weak agonists/PAF receptor antagonists and regular exercise, which help maintain controlled PAF levels. Conversely, in cases of obesity-related systemic inflammation with excessive PAF levels, potent PAF inhibitors like ginkgolide B and rupatadine may help mitigate metabolic dysfunctions with PAFR antagonists potentially enhancing their effects synergistically. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adipose Tissue Functioning in Health and Diseases)
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Other

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16 pages, 682 KB  
Systematic Review
Histological and Immunohistochemical Characteristics of Mechanically Processed Adipose Tissue: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
by Tom Schimanski, Rafael Loucas, Marios Loucas, Vanessa Brébant, Alexandra Anker, Silvan Klein, Sophia Theresa Diesch, Andrea Pagani and Lukas Prantl
Cells 2025, 14(21), 1664; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells14211664 - 23 Oct 2025
Abstract
Background: Mechanical processing techniques are commonly employed to prepare adipose tissue for clinical applications in reconstructive and aesthetic procedures. However, their histological and immunohistochemical impact on adipose tissue remains incompletely characterized. Purpose: This systematic review aims to investigate the impact of mechanical processing [...] Read more.
Background: Mechanical processing techniques are commonly employed to prepare adipose tissue for clinical applications in reconstructive and aesthetic procedures. However, their histological and immunohistochemical impact on adipose tissue remains incompletely characterized. Purpose: This systematic review aims to investigate the impact of mechanical processing on the histological and immunohistochemical properties of adipose tissue. Methods: A systematic search was conducted using PubMed, Ovid, and Cochrane Library databases, with publications up to December 2024, employing Boolean operators (“mechanically processed” OR “lipoaspirate” OR “fat graft” OR “gauze rolling” OR “decantation” OR “coleman fat” OR “celt” OR “nanofat” OR “lipofilling” OR “human fat”) AND (“histol*”). Included were English-language studies or studies with a recognized English translation which had been subject to peer review and reported quantitative or qualitative markers of mechanically processed human adipose tissue with histology or immunohistochemistry. Risk of Bias was assessed with the OHAT score. Results: A total of 15 studies (n = 15) were included. In 13 of 15 studies (87%), mechanically processed adipose tissue demonstrated an increased stromal vascular fraction (SVF) cell density compared to unprocessed fat. Twelve studies (80%) reported improved preservation of the extracellular matrix (ECM), while 11 studies (73%) observed a reduction in mature adipocytes. Immunohistochemical analyses in 10 studies (67%) revealed elevated expression of vascular markers (CD31, CD34) and perilipin. Adverse histological features such as oil cysts, fibrosis, and inflammatory infiltrates were reduced in 9 studies (60%). Considerable heterogeneity in processing techniques and staining protocols precluded meta-analysis. Conclusions: Mechanical processing of adipose tissue is associated with favorable histological and immunohistochemical profiles, including increased SVF cell density, improved ECM preservation, and reduced inflammatory and fibrotic features. These findings support the potential of mechanical processing to enhance graft quality; however, standardization of techniques and evaluation protocols is needed to strengthen clinical translation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adipose Tissue Functioning in Health and Diseases)
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