Batokines: Mediators of Inter-Tissue Communication (a Mini-Review)

Abstract

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. Summary Brown adipose tissue has a crucial secretory function that plays a key role in systemic physiology.

The Role of Adipokines in Pancreatic Cancer

“…GDF15, another batokine, performs the final loop of anti-inflammatory properties (67,71). Relying on these above elements, which have been well documented in the association of tumors in previous studies, BAT communicates with the function of the liver, heart, and immune system frequently (63). However, a limited amount of research remains on the linkage between BAT and beige adipose tissue and PC, meaning that further studies are required to explore the underlying mechanisms involved and unravel the myth of metabolic health enhancement capabilities.…”

“…Despite the thermogenic properties of both beige adipose tissue and BAT, which serve an instrumental function in the adjustment of systemic energy homeostasis, beige adipose tissue and BAT, drawing inspiration from the endocrine function of WAT, may also be participating in the management of human ailments through the release of batokines (62). Batokines represent a collection of active peptides generated by BAT under its natural or thermogenic activation state, and it is shown that BAT is engaged in the regulation of systemic metabolism and cardiac, hepatic, and pancreatic function via releasing batokines, such as FGF21, BMP8b, NRG4, IL-6, and IGF-1 (63,64). FGF21, being the earliest discovered batokine, has acquired attention for the delayed ventricular remodeling effect in hypertensive heart disease (65).…”

A zsírszövet mint a 2-es típusú diabetest kísérő inzulinrezisztencia egyik célszerve.

“…Jelenlétük azonban kisebb számban a későbbi életkorban is kimutatható [15,18], sőt tartós hideg hatására számuk emelkedhet. Kísérletes megfigyelések igazolták, hogy hideg és más stimulus, például β 3 -sympathoadrenergiás aktiváció, fokozott pajzsmirigyhormon-, illetve leptintermelődés hatására fokozódik a barna zsírszövet glükóz-és szabadzsírsav-felvétele, ami inzulinrezisztenciával járó állapotokban a szervezet inzulinérzékenységének javulását eredményezi [17].…”

Brain-to-BAT - and Back?: Crosstalk between the Central Nervous System and Thermogenic Adipose Tissue in Development and Therapy of Obesity

“…In addition, recent research has shown that the physiological role of BAT is not only to produce heat but also to act as an endocrine/paracrine organ, secreting molecules that affect systemic physiology and thus shape whole-body metabolism. The group of these secretory factors (collectively named ‘batokines’ [ 8 , 9 ]) comprises various types of signaling molecules, including peptides (such as FGF-21, IGF-1, follistatin, IL-6 and RBP-4), lipid-based metabolites (e.g., 12,13-dihydroxy-9Z-octadecenoic acid) and even exosomal microRNAs (e.g., miR-99b). Batokines enhance the thermogenic capacity by promoting BAT hypertrophy, adipose tissue vascularization and WAT beiging, but they also exert long-distance control of metabolism—particularly whole-body glucose and lipid disposal—by conveying systemic signaling cues to metabolic organs.…”