About this Research Topic
Adipose tissue plays a crucial role in glucose homeostasis and energy balance. Whereas white adipose tissue (WAT) is responsible for energy storage in times of excessive nutrients, brown adipose tissue (BAT) is characterized by dissipating energy as heat in a process called non-shivering thermogenesis. Specific WAT depots are highly recruitable and induced to brown-like (beige) adipocytes en masse under external stimuli. Given that both classical BAT and beige fat are present in adult humans and their activity is inversely associated with body mass index and age, there is significant interest in developing strategies to boost adipose thermogenesis as potential therapeutic measures for obesity and associated metabolic diseases, including obesity, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and type II diabetes. On the other hand, adipose thermogenesis must be tightly regulated to prevent unwanted or detrimental energy-wasting; this is particularly important in conditions such as limited food availability, cancer cachexia, burn injury, hyperthyroidism, and infection. While the molecular mechanisms that promote or repress thermogenesis are extensively studied, there are still many genes or regulatory networks that have not been identified and remain to be discovered.
This Research Topic mainly focuses on the novel therapeutic targets and signaling axis for adipose thermogenesis, white fat browning, and adipose tissue-derived metabolic diseases. We aim to publish a collection of outstanding papers on (a) signaling pathways promoting or repressing adipose thermogenesis; (b) identifying targets for treating obesity and related metabolic diseases; (c) adipose secreted protein actions on peripheral metabolic organs. We welcome contributions in the form of Original Research Articles, Reviews, and Mini-Reviews that cover but are not limited to the following topics:
• The current molecular mechanisms and regulatory networks of adipose thermogenesis and energy balance.
• The potential physiological functions of adipose tissue in obesity and diabetes.
• The effects of adipose secreted protein on cellular metabolism and glucose homeostasis.
This Research Topic mainly focuses on the novel therapeutic targets and signaling axis for adipose thermogenesis, white fat browning, and adipose tissue-derived metabolic diseases. We aim to publish a collection of outstanding papers on (a) signaling pathways promoting or repressing adipose thermogenesis; (b) identifying targets for treating obesity and related metabolic diseases; (c) adipose secreted protein actions on peripheral metabolic organs. We welcome contributions in the form of Original Research Articles, Reviews, and Mini-Reviews that cover but are not limited to the following topics:
• The current molecular mechanisms and regulatory networks of adipose thermogenesis and energy balance.
• The potential physiological functions of adipose tissue in obesity and diabetes.
• The effects of adipose secreted protein on cellular metabolism and glucose homeostasis.
Keywords: obesity, diabetes, metabolic disorders, thermogenesis, white fat browning
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