1
Return

Disease-associated adipose browning: current evidence and perspectives

delete2026-01-07
delete0
delete
OA
AI
X
Xiyue Zhang *
X
Xue Han *
J
Jiesi Xu
G
Guoping Li
DOI:10.1080/21623945.2025.2610540delete
deleteOriginal
deleteOriginal request for help
deleteShare
deleteSave
Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
Brown and beige adipose tissue represent evolutionary adaptations in mammals, functioning as specialized thermogenic organs to maintain body temperature. Over the past two decades, researches have demonstrated that white adipose tissue (WAT) browning is an effective strategy to enhance energy expenditure. However, a growing body of evidence indicates that the browning process frequently occurs in a variety of chronic disease states, though its pathophysiological significance remains unclear. This review summarized evidence of pathological browning observed in human diseases and animal models, including breast cancer, colorectal cancer (CRC), clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), kidney health, burn injury, atherosclerotic, SARS-CoV-2 and sepsis. Despite distinct pathological contexts, adipose tissue browning is consistently observed. This suggests that browning may not simply serve its classical metabolically protective role, but instead reflect an atypical response to pathological stress. It is currently unclear whether this is a compensatory mechanism by the organism in a diseased state or merely a byproduct of the disease process. Whether this response is adaptive or a cause of disease progression remains unresolved. Future research should therefore focus on identifying the triggers and functional outcomes of pathological browning to better understand adipocyte plasticity and its role in disease progression.
Keywords:
Disease-associated adipose browning
cancer
kidney health
burn injury
atherosclerosis

Journal

Adipocyte cover
Adipocyte
IF:
3.1
Papers:
487
Citations:
1.5K

Organization

C
Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences
Scholars:
807
Papers: 236
Citations: 3.2K
Cited Papers

Cited Papers

Citing Papers

Citing Papers