The field of exosomes and organokines biology and metabolism is rapidly expanding. Increasing numbers of exosomal miRNA have also been used as biomarkers for metabolic diseases in clinical settings, such as miR-34a、miR-122、 miR-192、miR-142, and so on (1)(2)(3)(4). Several biological factors including miR-130a-3p and miR-3075 are packaged into exosomes and then transported into specific organs to regulate local metabolism (5)(6)(7). Novel-identified organokines (adipokines, myokines, hepatokines) have been reported to play crucial roles in the regulation of whole-body metabolism homeostasis(8-10) affecting the regulation of glucose metabolism, lipid metabolism, insulin sensitivity, oxidative stress, low-grade inflammation and so on. The goal of this research topic "The Role of Exosomes and Organokines in Metabolic and Endocrine Disease" is to highlight a wide range of exosomes and organokines originating from the metabolic organs that mediate inter-organ crosstalk and participate in the development of metabolic diseases. Six high-quality papers (11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16) were accepted by the Frontiers editorial team for publication in the Frontiers in Endocrinology. They provide new information to the advancement of organokines and exosome-based diagnostics and therapeutic approaches for metabolic and endocrine diseases. The liver plays a vital role in modulating energy homeostasis. In modulating systemic glucolipid metabolism, most of the attributions for the release of hepatokines that maintain metabolic homeostasis in autocrine, endocrine and paracrine pathways that govern connections between the liver and other organs. Chen et al. ( 16) highlighted the interaction of some feeding-induced hepatokines such as Adropin, MANF, Leap2 and PCSK9 in the liver and extrahepatic tissues such as brain, adipose, heart, and pancreatic tissues, and also clarified the potential mechanisms by which these hepatokines mediate crosstalk between the liver and other organs. Targeting these feeding-induced hepatokines is expected to be a possible therapeutic approach for T2DM to help in control and treatment.In conclusion, exosomes and organokines exert immunomodulatory functions through a variety of novel mechanisms that are valuable for the prediction and treatment of diabetes and its complications, obesity, and some metabolic diseases. The original research articles and review articles included in this issue present a range of topics that are under active investigation. With extensive investigations, additional pathological/beneficial roles of exosomes and organokines in diabetes and its complications and metabolic diseases are revealed to improve our understanding of exosomes and organokines and to elucidate the development of exosomal and organokines-based therapeutic strategies for more accurate diagnosis and more effective treatment of metabolic diseases. However, despite the recognition of the importance of exosomes and organokines in metabolic diseases, the specific regulatory mechanisms of these diseases are not fully understood and should remain a key focus of future research.
The authors declare no competing financial interests.
