Adipose tissue is no longer considered to be an inert tissue functioning solely as an energy store in vertebrates, but it is emerging as an endocrine organ with important roles in homeostasis. Adipocyte metabolism is controlled by different hormones, insulin being among the most important ones, and disruption of this control can be associated to a variety of pathologies related to obesity, as well as lipodystrophies in humans. In addition, adipose tissue secretes many cytokines and hormones that act locally and also crosstalk with other tissues. Furthermore, adipose tissue has the capacity of new adipocytes formation from precursor cells. The processes of adipocyte hypertrophia and hyperplasia are essential for the correct cell function and metabolic control. Much effort has been devoted to characterize the role of regulatory factors affecting the various steps of adipocyte differentiation and maturation. In spite of this, due to the complexity of the processes, many aspects are still not fully understood and differences between species are being reported from fish to mammals. The aim of this research topic is to gather reviews and research articles on the mechanisms that underlie adipocyte differentiation as well as how this process is regulated. This topic should also cover new insights on hormonal control of adipose tissue metabolism and adipokines production and function.
Adipose tissue is no longer considered to be an inert tissue functioning solely as an energy store in vertebrates, but it is emerging as an endocrine organ with important roles in homeostasis. Adipocyte metabolism is controlled by different hormones, insulin being among the most important ones, and disruption of this control can be associated to a variety of pathologies related to obesity, as well as lipodystrophies in humans. In addition, adipose tissue secretes many cytokines and hormones that act locally and also crosstalk with other tissues. Furthermore, adipose tissue has the capacity of new adipocytes formation from precursor cells. The processes of adipocyte hypertrophia and hyperplasia are essential for the correct cell function and metabolic control. Much effort has been devoted to characterize the role of regulatory factors affecting the various steps of adipocyte differentiation and maturation. In spite of this, due to the complexity of the processes, many aspects are still not fully understood and differences between species are being reported from fish to mammals. The aim of this research topic is to gather reviews and research articles on the mechanisms that underlie adipocyte differentiation as well as how this process is regulated. This topic should also cover new insights on hormonal control of adipose tissue metabolism and adipokines production and function.
