Exploring the Crosstalk Between Adipose Tissue and the Cardiovascular System

Many studies have confirmed the existence of a bi-directional crosstalk between adipose tissue and the cardiovascular system, which is crucial to maintenance of normal function in both tissues. Adipose tissue could be considered as an endocrine organ per se releasing signaling messengers, such as macrovesicles or immunomodulatory factors, that influence the development and progression of cardiovascular diseases. For instance, altered structure and function of adipose tissue in obesity is accompanied by a dysregulated profile of adipokines secretion and is closely associated with the rising incidence of adverse cardiovascular disease outcomes. Similarly, the cardiovascular system can secrete molecules to the surrounding adipose tissue, which “sense” the cardiovascular inflammation modifying its secretory profile.

The objective of this Research Topic is to describe adipose tissue dysfunction in metabolic syndrome and to delineate the role of adipose tissue derived immunomodulatory factors (cytokines, adipokines, macrovesicles and/or metabolites) in the development and progression of cardiovascular diseases. We also aim to shed light on the role of “inside to outside” signals from the cardiovascular system to the adipose tissue in the cross talk between the heart, the vessels and the fat.

Areas to cover may include:
• Dysregulated adipokines, lipokines and cytokines secretion in metabolic syndrome and their contribution to CVD progression and/or development;
• Cardiokines: key messengers between the heart and fat;
• Role of MicroRNAs;
• Immunometabolic crosstalk in metabolic syndrome;
• Heart Failure and organ crosstalk;
• Endothelial dysfunction as a hall mark of cardiovascular disease;
• Role of adipose tissue in atherosclerosis development and/or progression;
• Role of adipose tissue in the development of cardiac arrhythmia;
• Potential role of exosome and extracellular vesicles secreted by adipose tissue in CVD progression;
• Disease biomarkers and therapeutics strategies;
• Genome-wide association study and bioinformatics;
• Characterization of adipocyte precursors of the cardiovascular tissues;
• Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy intramyocardial fat: origin and role in the pathogenesis;
• Imaging contribution to the diagnosis of fat and myocardial damage.

Keywords: adipose tissue, cardiovascular system, cardiokines, adipokines, lipokines

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.