Adipokines in the Crosstalk between Adipose Tissues and Other Organs: Implications in Cardiometabolic Diseases

Abstract

Adipose tissue was previously regarded as a dormant organ for lipid storage until the identification of adiponectin and leptin in the early 1990s. This revelation unveiled the dynamic endocrine function of adipose tissue, which has expanded further. Adipose tissue has emerged in recent decades as a multifunctional organ that plays a significant role in energy metabolism and homeostasis. Currently, it is evident that adipose tissue primarily performs its function by secreting a diverse array of signaling molecules known as adipokines. Apart from their pivotal function in energy expenditure and metabolism regulation, these adipokines exert significant influence over a multitude of biological processes, including but not limited to inflammation, thermoregulation, immune response, vascular function, and insulin sensitivity. Adipokines are pivotal in regulating numerous biological processes within adipose tissue and facilitating communication between adipose tissue and various organs, including the brain, gut, pancreas, endothelial cells, liver, muscle, and more. Dysregulated adipokines have been implicated in several metabolic diseases, like obesity and diabetes, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In this article, we attempted to describe the significance of adipokines in developing metabolic and cardiovascular diseases and highlight their role in the crosstalk between adipose tissues and other tissues and organs.

Keywords: adipokines; adipose tissue; cardiovascular; crosstalk; diabetes; inflammation; insulin resistance; metabolism; obesity.

Figure 1

Different types of adipocytes.

Figure 2

The role of dysregulated adipokines in the development of cardiometabolic diseases. Blue arrows indicate reductions, and red arrows indicate increases in adipokines.

Figure 3

Classification of WAT secreted adipokines. Adipokines secreted from WAT are classified based on the target tissue of their effect. DPP-4, dipeptidyl peptidase-4; RBP-4, retinol-binding protein-4.

Figure 4

Batokines secreted from BAT and their functional roles. Abbreviations: IGF-1, insulin growth factor-1; CXCL14, chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 14; Mtrnl, meteorin-like; FGF-21, fibroblast browth factor 21; IL-6, interleukin-6; BMPs, bone morphogenetic proteins; NGF, nerve growth factor; 12,13-diHOME, 12,13-dihydroxy-9Z-octadecenoic acid; Adissp, adipose secreted signaling protein; T3, triiodothyronine; VEGF-A, vascular endothelial growth factor A; GDF15, growth differentiation factor-15; NRG4, neuregulin-4.

Figure 5

The most prominent adipokines in adipose tissue-organ crosstalk. FGF21, fibroblast growth factor 21; IL-6, interleukin-6; TNF-α, tumor necrosis factor alpha; LCN-2, lipocalin 2.