About this Research Topic

Background

Bone Marrow Adiposity (BMA) is a long-known phenomenon that has enjoyed an upsurge of interest in both fundamental and medical sciences over the last decades. BM adipocyte expansion constitutes a “normal” physiological process starting early in childhood and progressing with aging. Yet, as reported in clinical and pre-clinical studies, several pathological conditions (e.g. osteoporosis, anorexia nervosa, metabolic diseases including obesity and type 2 diabetes, multiple myeloma, leukemia, bone metastasis) and therapies (e.g. glucocorticoid or thiazolidinedione treatments, radiotherapy, chemotherapy) are associated with changes in BMA. Besides hormonal cues, BM adipogenesis has been shown to be regulated by local growth factors, and is thus intimately interlinked with its local micro-environment. Moreover, BM adipocytes constitute a distinct fat depot that has developmental and functional characteristics distinct from other adipose tissues; can impact on systemic metabolism; and likely varies according to the pathophysiological context. However, research on BMA remains partly hampered by the difficult access to the bone compartment, the inherent fragility of adipocytes, the difficulty to obtain populations unbiased by the extraction method, the lack of specific methods to deplete BM adipocytes and the proven heterogeneity of BMA.

Thus, a more complete, quantitative picture is now required regarding BM adipocyte progenitor populations, phenotypes, regulatory factors, interactions with their neighboring bone / BM microenvironment, and position within the systemic metabolism. Elucidating these issues will be essential to establish the proofs of concept and translate these to the diagnosis, prevention or treatment of the bone-, blood-, cancer-, or metabolism-related diseases.

Annual scientific meetings have been organized since 2015 to bring together scientists working in this new discipline. A new scientific society, the International Bone Marrow Adiposity Society (BMAS, http://bma-society.org/) was launched in Lausanne, Switzerland in August 2017 to further structure this network and promote an interdisciplinary approach to the study of this emerging tissue.

This Research Topic aims to highlight the creation of BMAS with all its related multidisciplinary research. The conference proceedings of the 4th International Meeting on BMA as well as the guidelines elaborated by the BMAS Working Groups, will be included. Indeed this Research Topic will include three reviews clarifying BMAS recommendations for nomenclature, methodological studies and biobanking, which should together pave the way for the future harmonization of the terms and protocols used in the collection and study of BM adipocytes.

Authors are welcome to submit original research articles to report new findings in technical, fundamental and clinically applied BMA research, with a particular focus on methods and results that can increase the reproducibility of the field, facilitate its multidisciplinary approach and/or open new avenues of research in BMA. Of note, original research submissions can be either submitted to the Bone Research section at “Frontiers in Endocrinology” or to the Lipid and Fatty Acid Research section within “Frontiers in Physiology”, but can all be cross-listed in both sections. A nomenclature table elaborated by the corresponding BMAS Working Group will be provided to authors for dissemination of these new guidelines.

Articles' list within this Research Topic:

1. Brief editorial putting BMA research in the general context of bone biology, metabolism, adipocyte biology, hematopoiesis, etc. (i.e., Editorial article);
2. Short BMA2017 conference proceedings with perspective on the founding of BMAS, its goals and vision (i.e., Perspective article);
3. BMA2018 conference proceedings (i.e., Review article);
4. White paper on BMA nomenclature;
5. Methodological challenges in BMA research with review of key references (i.e., Review article);
6. Challenges in biobanking for the BMA community with review of key references (i.e., Review article);
7-10. Timely original research paper submissions at the General Assembly to complete the Research Topic, with an emphasis in collaborations born thanks to BMAS (please consult our article processing charges available here: https://www.frontiersin.org/about/publishing-fees).

We acknowledge the initiation and support of this Research Topic by the Bone Marrow Adiposity Society (BMAS). Special thanks go to Prof. Olaia Naveiras who initiated this fruitful collaboration with Frontiers. Dr. Bravenboer is a member of the BMAS and contributes to the Working Group on Nomenclature and the Working Group on Methodological challenges; Dr. Lucas is a member of the BMAS and contributes to the Working Group on Biobanking; and Prof. Rosen is a member of the BMAS and contributes to the Working Group on Methodological challenges.

Keywords: Marrow Adipocyte, Fat, Lipid, Bone, Methodology, Society affiliation RT

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.

Frequently asked questions

• What is a Research Topic?

  Frontiers' Research Topics are collaborative hubs built around an emerging theme.Defined, managed, and led by renowned researchers, they bring communities together around a shared area of interest to stimulate collaboration and innovation.

  Unlike section journals, which serve established specialty communities, Research Topics are pioneer hubs, responding to the evolving scientific landscape and catering to new communities.

• Why does Frontiers publish Research Topics? 

  The goal of Frontiers' publishing program is to empower research communities to actively steer the course of scientific publishing. Our program was implemented as a three-part unit with fixed field journals, flexible specialty sections, and dynamically emerging Research Topics, connecting communities of different sizes and maturity.

  Research Topics originate from the scientific community. Many of our Research Topics are suggested by existing editorial board members who have identified critical challenges or areas of interest in their field.

• Why are Research Topics important for journals?

  As an editor, Research Topics will help you build your journal, as well as your community, around emerging, cutting-edge research. As research trailblazers, Research Topics attract high-quality submissions from leading experts all over the world.

  A thriving Research Topic can potentially evolve into a new specialty section if there is sustained interest and a growing community around it.

• How do we ensure the quality of articles within Research Topics?

  Each Research Topic must be approved by the specialty chief editor, and it falls under the editorial oversight of our editorial boards, supported by our in-house research integrity team. The same standards and rigorous peer review processes apply to articles published as part of a Research Topic as for any other article we publish.

  In 2023, 80% of the Research Topics we published were edited or co-edited by our editorial board members, who are already familiar with their journal's scope, ethos, and publishing model. All other topics are guest edited by leaders in their field, each vetted and formally approved by the specialty chief editor.

• What are the benefits of publishing my article in a Research Topic?

  Publishing your article within a Research Topic with other related articles increases its discoverability and visibility, which can lead to more views, downloads, and citations. Research Topics grow dynamically as more published articles are added, causing frequent revisiting, and further visibility.

  As Research Topics are multidisciplinary, they are cross-listed in several fields and section journals – increasing your reach even more and giving you the chance to expand your network and collaborate with researchers in different fields, all focusing on expanding knowledge around the same important topic.

  Our larger Research Topics are also converted into ebooks and receive social media promotion from our digital marketing team.

   
• What types of articles can be published in a Research Topic?

  Frontiers offers multiple article types, but it will depend on the field and section journals in which the Research Topic will be featured. The available article types for a Research Topic will appear in the drop-down menu during the submission process.

  Check available article types here 

• Can I suggest a new Research Topic? 

  Yes, we would love to hear your ideas for a topic. Most of our Research Topics are community-led and suggested by researchers in the field. Our in-house editorial team will contact you to talk about your idea and whether you’d like to edit the topic. If you’re an early-stage researcher, we will offer you the opportunity to coordinate your topic, with the support of a senior researcher as the topic editor. 

  Suggest your topic here 

• Who leads a Research Topic? 

  A team of guest editors (called topic editors) lead their Research Topic. This editorial team oversees the entire process, from the initial topic proposal to calls for participation, the peer review, and final publications.

  The team may also include topic coordinators, who help the topic editors send calls for participation, liaise with topic editors on abstracts, and support contributing authors. In some cases, they can also be assigned as reviewers.

• What is the role of a topic editor?

  As a topic editor (TE), you will take the lead on all editorial decisions for the Research Topic, starting with defining its scope. This allows you to curate research around a topic that interests you, bring together different perspectives from leading researchers across different fields and shape the future of your field. 

   

  You will choose your team of co-editors, curate a list of potential authors, send calls for participation and oversee the peer review process, accepting or recommending rejection for each manuscript submitted.

• What support will I receive when editing a new Research Topic? 

  As a topic editor, you're supported at every stage by our in-house team. You will be assigned a single point of contact to help you on both editorial and technical matters. Your topic is managed through our user-friendly online platform, and the peer review process is supported by our industry-first AI review assistant (AIRA).

• As a junior researcher, can I be involved in editing a Research Topic? 

  If you’re an early-stage researcher, we will offer you the opportunity to coordinate your topic, with the support of a senior researcher as the topic editor. This provides you with valuable editorial experience, improving your ability to critically evaluate research articles and enhancing your understanding of the quality standards and requirements for scientific publishing, as well as the opportunity to discover new research in your field, and expand your professional network.

• Can I get a certificate for editing a Research Topic?

  Yes, certificates can be issued on request. We are happy to provide a certificate for your contribution to editing a successful Research Topic.

• Who will I collaborate with?

  Research Topics thrive on collaboration and their multi-disciplinary approach around emerging, cutting-edge themes, attract leading researchers from all over the world.

• How long does it take to publish a Research Topic?

  As a topic editor, you can set the timeline for your Research Topic, and we will work with you at your pace. Typically, Research Topics are online and open for submissions within a few weeks and remain open for participation for 6 – 12 months. Individual articles within a Research Topic are published as soon as they are ready.

  Find out more about our Research Topics

• What fee support is available to authors publishing in a Research Topic?

  Our fee support program ensures that all articles that pass peer review, including those published in Research Topics, can benefit from open access – regardless of the author's field or funding situation.

  Authors and institutions with insufficient funding can apply for a discount on their publishing fees. A fee support application form is available on our website.

• Will there be a printed version of my Research Topic?

  In line with our mission to promote healthy lives on a healthy planet, we do not provide printed materials. All our articles and ebooks are available under a CC-BY license, so you can share and print copies.