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New Insights into Adipose Tissue Metabolic Function and Dysfunction, 4th Edition

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Pathology, Diagnostics, and Therapeutics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2025 | Viewed by 523

Special Issue Editor

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Adipose tissue is widely known as an endocrine organ that can modulate systemic metabolism due to its effects on energy storage, adipokine production, and adaptive thermogenesis. This endocrine function is carried out in various organs, such as the liver, kidney, pancreas, and brain, thus contributing to homeostatic regulation, energy balance, insulin sensitivity, and vascular–endothelial function.

The dysregulation of adipocyte differentiation, metabolism, and endocrine functions leads to adipose tissue dysfunction, which triggers the activation of molecular pathways involved in the physiopathology of overall metabolic diseases, such as obesity, inflammation, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes.

New therapeutic approaches targeting adipose tissue and its signaling molecules and heterogeneity could provide potential advances in understanding its pathophysiology and in treating several metabolic syndromes.

This Special Issue of the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, entitled “New Insights into Adipose Tissue Metabolic Function and Dysfunction”, aims to compile original research papers and/or relevant updates within the literature on new insights into the pathogenesis, molecular pathways, and beneficial effects of novel and safe treatments for metabolic diseases associated with adipose tissue dysfunction. In Volumes I, II, and III, we published more than 30 manuscripts that attracted a high readership and number of citations. We welcome you to read these to inspire your own research contributions (comprehensive review, original article, etc.) to Volume IV.

Dr. Federica Mannino
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • inflammation
  • browning
  • thermogenesis
  • adipogenesis
  • diabetes
  • adipokines
  • energy storage
  • insulin resistance
  • obesity
  • lipolysis

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Review

26 pages, 2412 KB  
Review
Functional Complexity of Thermogenic Adipose Tissue: From Thermogenesis to Metabolic and Fibroinflammatory Crosstalk
by Wael Jalloul, Irena Cristina Grierosu, Despina Jalloul, Cipriana Stefanescu and Vlad Ghizdovat
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(18), 9045; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26189045 - 17 Sep 2025
Viewed by 345
Abstract
Brown adipose tissue (BAT) has shifted from being considered a transient thermogenic organ of infancy to a metabolically dynamic and multifunctional tissue throughout life. Histologically and developmentally distinct from white and beige adipocytes, BAT originates from a myogenic lineage and is characterised by [...] Read more.
Brown adipose tissue (BAT) has shifted from being considered a transient thermogenic organ of infancy to a metabolically dynamic and multifunctional tissue throughout life. Histologically and developmentally distinct from white and beige adipocytes, BAT originates from a myogenic lineage and is characterised by a high mitochondrial density, multilocular lipid droplets, and abundant sympathetic innervation. Its defining function, non-shivering thermogenesis, is mediated by uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) and complemented by alternative mechanisms such as futile creatine and calcium cycling. Beyond heat production, thermogenic fat is crucial in regulating whole-body metabolism. It contributes to glucose, lipid, and branched-chain amino acid homeostasis, and engages in endocrine and paracrine signalling through a rich secretome of batokines, lipid mediators, and extracellular vesicle-bound microRNAs. These signals orchestrate crosstalk with the liver, skeletal muscle, pancreas, and immune system, enhancing insulin sensitivity, vascularisation, and anti-inflammatory responses. Brown/Beige fat also exhibits notable anti-fibrotic properties and supports adipose tissue remodelling, maintaining structural and functional plasticity under metabolic stress. This review offers a comprehensive synthesis of thermogenic adipose tissue biology, integrating its structural, developmental, and molecular features with its expanding physiological functions, highlighting its pivotal role in energy balance as well as its emerging therapeutic potential in obesity, type 2 diabetes, and related metabolic disorders. Full article
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