Regulation of Adipocyte Biology and Thermogenesis in Physiology and Disease

Adipose tissue is able to expand, remodel, and maintain metabolic flexibility to maintain whole-body energy homeostasis. While white adipose tissue (WAT) stores energy as lipids, brown adipose tissue (BAT) dissipates energy through heat production via mitochondrial uncoupling protein 1 (Ucp1). Brown adipocytes are particularly crucial for thermoregulation in hibernating animals, maintaining body temperature during periods of dormancy and awakening. In rodents, “classical” brown adipocytes are localized in distinct BAT depots such as the interscapular and perirenal regions, while “inducible” brown adipocytes, also known as beige adipocytes, are found in WAT depots, particularly in response to cold exposure or β-adrenergic stimuli. These adaptive processes are critical for regulating body temperature and energy balance. Advances in FDG-PET imaging have confirmed the existence of functional human brown adipocytes and a negative correlation between brown adipocyte activity and body mass index (BMI). However, whether these adipocytes are sufficiently abundant and active to be a viable therapeutic target for metabolic diseases remains uncertain.This topic aims to update our understanding of adipocyte biology and thermogenesis, focusing on the transcriptional and epigenetic regulation of brown adipocytes. The transcription factor PPARγ is known as the master regulator of adipogenesis, while transcriptional regulators such as PRDM16, EBF2, and NFIA are key to brown adipocyte differentiation and function. That said, the regulatory landscape of human brown and beige adipocytes remain incompletely explored. Recent advances in single-cell transcriptomics and multi-omics, particularly when combined with large-scale biobank cohorts, are expected to provide deeper insights into human adipocyte biology. Additionally, this topic will explore the dynamic communication between adipocytes and other tissues—such as the liver, muscle, and neurons—and how these interactions contribute to metabolic regulation. This topic seeks to advance our understanding of adipocyte function in both health and disease, identifying potential therapeutic targets for metabolic disorders.Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:・Transcriptional and epigenetic regulation of brown and beige adipocytes・Recent advances in single-cell transcriptomics and multi-omics to understand human adipocyte biology・Interorgan communication between adipocytes and tissues like the liver, muscle, and neurons, and its role in metabolic health・Adipose tissue dysfunction and its association with metabolic complications such as insulin resistance, fatty liver, and cardiometabolic disease・Therapeutic strategies targeting adipocyte biology for the treatment of metabolic disorders・Translational and public health strategies supporting evidence-based obesity prevention and management Topic editors: Yuta Hiraike, Yusuke Adachi Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/78686/regulation-of-adipocyte-biology-and-thermogenesis-in-physiology-and-disease