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Single-cell Microinjection for Cell Communication Analysis
Published on: February 26, 2017
Batokines: Mediators of Inter-Tissue Communication (a Mini-Review)
Felix T Yang1,2, Kristin I Stanford3,4,5
1Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 460 W. 12th Ave, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.
Purpose Of Review:
This review highlights aspects of brown adipose tissue (BAT) communication with other organ systems and how BAT-to-tissue cross-talk could help elucidate future obesity treatments.
Recent Findings:
Until recently, research on BAT has focused mainly on its thermogenic activity. New research has identified an endocrine/paracrine function of BAT and determined that many BAT-derived molecules, termed "batokines," affect the physiology of a variety of organ systems and cell types. Batokines encompass a variety of signaling molecules including peptides, metabolites, lipids, or microRNAs. Recent studies have noted significant effects of batokines on physiology as it relates whole-body metabolism and cardiac function. This review will discuss batokines and other BAT processes that affect the liver, cardiovascular system, skeletal muscle, immune cells, and brown and white adipose tissue. Brown adipose tissue has a crucial secretory function that plays a key role in systemic physiology.
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