Regulation of Cellular Signaling Pathways in the Metabolic Syndrome

Dear Colleagues,

Metabolic syndrome (MetS), which describes a cluster of interrelated conditions that includes central obesity, dyslipidemia, lipid resistance, hypertension, diabetes, and cancer, has become a global public health concern. The pathophysiology of MetS is tightly regulated by a complex network of cellular signaling pathways, including insulin-, AMPK-, MAPK-, mTOR-, PKA-, NF-κB-, and adipokine-mediated signaling, among others. These pathways coordinate metabolic processes such as glucose and lipid metabolism, inflammation, oxidative stress response, and mitochondrial function. Dysregulation of these signaling networks plays a central role in the onset and progression of MetS and its associated complications, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), and many cancer types. A deeper mechanistic understanding of how these pathways are regulated—both under physiological and pathological conditions—may yield novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

Therefore, Life is pleased to announce this Special Issue titled “Regulation of Cellular Signaling Pathways in the Metabolic Syndrome”. This Special Issue aims to bring together cutting-edge research that enhances our understanding of how cellular signaling pathways contribute to the development, progression, and potential treatment of MetS. We invite original research articles, reviews, and short communications that explore the regulation, crosstalk, and therapeutic modulation of cellular signaling in the context of MetS.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Molecular mechanisms of insulin signaling and resistance in MetS;
• Crosstalk between nutrient-sensing pathways (e.g., AMPK, mTOR, and SIRT) in metabolic regulation.
• Role of inflammation and immune signaling (e.g., NF-κB and JAK-STAT) in adipose tissue dysfunction;
• Oxidative stress, mitochondrial signaling, and redox imbalance in metabolic disorders;
• Adipokine and cytokine signaling in obesity and MetS;
• ER stress and unfolded protein response pathways in metabolic regulation;
• Mechanisms by which hallmarks of MetS (e.g., increased IGF signaling, chronic inflammation, adipokine imbalance, oxidative stress, and hormonal changes) impact the etiology and progression of various cancers;
• Tissue-specific signaling dynamics in liver, muscle, adipose tissue, heart, and brain;
• Microbiota-derived metabolites and their influence on host signaling in MetS;
• Emerging therapeutic targets and pharmacological modulators of key signaling nodes;
• Systems biology and multi-omics approaches to signaling network analysis in MetS.

We look forward to your contributions.

Dr. Robert H. Newman
Dr. Danielle L. Schmitt
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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• metabolic syndrome (MetS)
• cellular signaling pathways
• insulin signaling and resistance
• nutrient-sensing pathways
• inflammation and immune signaling