Cell biology and pharmacology of adipose tissue secretion

Recent advances in cell biology provides evidence that adipose tissue cells, adipocytes and stromal fibroblasts, are bona fide secretory cells. That is, using endopara- and autocrine pathways, these cells synthesize and release a number of multi-functional molecules, including cytokines, growth factors, enzymes, and hormones. These are collectively named adipokines. To tackle the issue of pathobiology and therapy of adipokine-related diseases a sound knowledge of the cell biology and pharmacology of adipose tissue secretion is required. An update of this matter is reviewed here. Perspectives for studying roles of locally produced adipokines in the disease process affecting the associated organ are also presented. We term this the adipose tissue-directed (adipotopic) approach in the study of pathobiology, prevention, and therapy of disease.