About this Research Topic
No one doubts that the endothelium plays a unique role in the paracrine regulation of vascular tone. Indeed, the fat surrounding most peripheral vessels, known as perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT), generates a variety of molecules that exceed in number those produced by endothelial cells. Both vascular layers — the vascular endothelium and PVAT — together release a vast amount of humoral signals toward the adjoining smooth muscle cells and the circulating blood. The interplay between endothelial and PVAT cells is extremely complex, especially considering the inflammatory phenotype PVAT adopts upon energy imbalance. Both a compensatory action of PVAT over endothelial dysfunction and an active influence of vascular disease and the subsequent endotheliopathy over the adjacent PVAT and its phenotypic profile have been proposed.
In recent years, the role of perivascular adipose tissue in regulating vascular function has been increasingly recognized. PVAT influences vascular biology through multiple signals. It contains a variety of cell types, including adipocytes, endothelial cells, immune cells, and several other cell types. Bioactive molecules released from PVAT help regulate vascular homeostasis. The interaction between PVAT and the vessel wall makes PVAT a potential therapeutic target for cardiovascular disease. A deeper understanding of the biology of the interaction between the adipose tissue and the cardiovascular system is needed to identify new therapeutic targets and develop novel diagnostic biomarkers in cardiovascular medicine.
While PVAT is best known for its secretome, new functions of PVAT are slowly being recognized. These include PVAT's mechanical properties, its influence on the stiffness of the artery around which it resides, and its immune complement, to name a few. This Frontiers Research Topic is dedicated to highlighting both recognized and newly discovered functions of PVAT, a true tunica of the vessel that plays a role in both health and disease.
This Research Topic welcomes contributions that improve our understanding of PVAT in health and disease. Potential areas of interest may include, but are not limited to:
• The interaction between endothelial cells and PVAT in relation to vascular disease;
• Mechanisms regulating PVAT: Pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions;
• Sex differences in modulation of PVAT morphology and function;
• Influence of PVAT on the mechanics of blood vessels;
• Inflammatory cells in PVAT: their roles in health and disease;
• The importance of stem cells within PVAT;
• Integration of vascular layers, including PVAT, to provide a functional vessel;
• Comparison of PVAT to nonvascular fat: determining characteristics;
• Potential novel diagnostic biomarkers from PVAT for cardiovascular medicine.
We welcome the submission of different article types to this collection, especially reviews, mini-reviews, and original research papers. Even though abstract submission is not mandatory, we encourage all interested researchers to submit a manuscript summary before submitting their manuscript. These short abstract-like summaries do not have to coincide with the final abstract of the manuscripts. Their purpose is to serve as a summary for the article you plan to submit.
In recent years, the role of perivascular adipose tissue in regulating vascular function has been increasingly recognized. PVAT influences vascular biology through multiple signals. It contains a variety of cell types, including adipocytes, endothelial cells, immune cells, and several other cell types. Bioactive molecules released from PVAT help regulate vascular homeostasis. The interaction between PVAT and the vessel wall makes PVAT a potential therapeutic target for cardiovascular disease. A deeper understanding of the biology of the interaction between the adipose tissue and the cardiovascular system is needed to identify new therapeutic targets and develop novel diagnostic biomarkers in cardiovascular medicine.
While PVAT is best known for its secretome, new functions of PVAT are slowly being recognized. These include PVAT's mechanical properties, its influence on the stiffness of the artery around which it resides, and its immune complement, to name a few. This Frontiers Research Topic is dedicated to highlighting both recognized and newly discovered functions of PVAT, a true tunica of the vessel that plays a role in both health and disease.
This Research Topic welcomes contributions that improve our understanding of PVAT in health and disease. Potential areas of interest may include, but are not limited to:
• The interaction between endothelial cells and PVAT in relation to vascular disease;
• Mechanisms regulating PVAT: Pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions;
• Sex differences in modulation of PVAT morphology and function;
• Influence of PVAT on the mechanics of blood vessels;
• Inflammatory cells in PVAT: their roles in health and disease;
• The importance of stem cells within PVAT;
• Integration of vascular layers, including PVAT, to provide a functional vessel;
• Comparison of PVAT to nonvascular fat: determining characteristics;
• Potential novel diagnostic biomarkers from PVAT for cardiovascular medicine.
We welcome the submission of different article types to this collection, especially reviews, mini-reviews, and original research papers. Even though abstract submission is not mandatory, we encourage all interested researchers to submit a manuscript summary before submitting their manuscript. These short abstract-like summaries do not have to coincide with the final abstract of the manuscripts. Their purpose is to serve as a summary for the article you plan to submit.
Keywords: perivascular adipose tissue, PVAT, vascular, vessels, physiology, pathophysiology
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.
