ADIPOSE TISSUE: VERSATILE ENDOCRINE GLAND

Research on the adipose tissue secretions has undergone a major inflection for a few years. The investigators became aware that the biology of the various cells of the stroma-vascular fraction of adipose tissue was to be taken into account to include/understand the diversity of the secretions. The adipose tissue is a site of production of adipokines (strictly synthesized and secreted by the adipocyte), of pro-or anti-inflammatory cytokines and of acute phase reactant proteins. Cells of the stroma-vascular fraction (monocytes/macrophages, microvascular endothelial cells.) have a secretory importance neglected up to now. The action of both major adipokines (leptin and adiponectin) will be more particularly evoked while considering the diversity of action of the other most current factors. Finally some secreted products more recently discovered (apelin, autotaxin, visfatin.), whose properties are still in the course of exploration, will be also mentioned.