Year: 2022
Type: editorial
Abstract: Adipose Tissue in Obesity and Metabolic DiseaseAdipose tissue is a highly adaptive and critically important metabolic tissue, with intrinsic roles in both health and disease.It is now well established that adipose tissue plays a significant role in a diverse range of physiological processes, including metabolic homeostasis and disease progression.Obesity, a chronic condition defined by excessive adipose tissue expansion, has now become one of the greatest medical challenges of the modern world.Consequently, understanding the mechanisms that underpin adipose tissue in obesity and disease progression is becoming increasingly important, such that novel targets for the treatment of obesity and its complications may be identified.The aim of this Research Topic is to provide an overview of the important physiological roles that adipose tissue plays in both health and disease, by summarising current knowledge and providing novel insights into adipose tissue biology.Excessive adipose tissue expansion is associated with declines in health and quality of life, however, the type of expansion (hyperplasia or hypertrophy) and the anatomical location of the adipose depot, are now known to be key factors that affect metabolic health.This is nicely summarised in the review by Nunn et al.where they describe the functional differences that occur in hypertrophic adipocytes and how this can contribute to metabolic complications.The authors detail how initiating adipogenesis (hyperplasia) as opposed to hypertrophy is metabolically beneficial and could be targeted therapeutically to treat metabolic disease.The review then evaluates known adipogenic regulators that could potentially be manipulated to induce adipogenesis.The concept of adipose tissue expansion is extended upon in a detailed review by Hilgendorf, which analyses the current literature regarding adipocyte primary cilia and their role in adipose tissue expansion and metabolic disease. The primary cilium is a cellular protrusion found on most mammalian cell types, including adipocytes, where it can regulate pro-and anti-adipogenic signalling pathways. Hilgendorf concludes by postulating that adipocyte primary cilium may function as a signalling hub through ciliary remodelling, enabling the primary cilium to sense and respond to extracellular signals, which can initiate adipogenesis.Garritson and Boudina further elucidate on mechanisms of adipose tissue expansion in a review that describes the effect of exercise on adipose tissue plasticity. It is well known that lifestyle interventions such as diet and exercise can reduce the risk for developing cardiometabolic disorders, but many of the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Garritson and Boudina summarise the positive metabolic benefits of exercise on adipose tissue and highlight important questions that remain to be addressed.
Source: Frontiers in Physiology
Language: English
Subfield: Epidemiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,950
OpenAlex ID: W4224302389