Review Articles in 2023

In this Review, the emerging cellular and molecular mechanisms by which obesity impairs key aspects of immunity are discussed, including changes in the abundance of key hormones, dysregulation of adipose-tissue-derived extracellular vesicles and dysregulation of polyunsaturated fatty acid metabolism.

This Review describes a promising, bidirectional role for ghrelin in the interaction between circadian rhythms and metabolism. The authors explore how ghrelin affects outputs of circadian rhythm — including neuronal activity, circulating growth hormone levels, locomotor activity and eating behaviour — and discuss how circadian rhythms influence ghrelin expression.

This Review describes the luteal phase of natural menstrual cycles and in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles. The authors highlight the need for luteal phase support during IVF, outlining various luteal phase support regimens, mechanisms for luteal phase deficiency and potential biomarkers of endometrial receptivity.

This Review discusses notable discoveries in pituitary stem cell function and highlights important areas for current and future research, including the use of pituitary organoids for the advancement of pituitary stem cell biology and pituitary organogenesis as well as potential therapeutic approaches.

Key papers on the role of nutrition and metabolic cues in puberty timing were published in 1963, and there have been many advances in this field in the subsequent 60 years. This Review discusses the latest advances in basic and translational sciences underlying the nutritional and metabolic control of pubertal development.

Genomic data from patients with thyroid cancer, combined with information on mutation-specific mechanisms from experimental models, is transforming the thyroid cancer research field. This Review summarizes the genetic alterations involved in follicular cell-derived thyroid cancer initiation and progression and their biological and clinical implications.

Thyroid hormones have key functions throughout the body. However, thyroid function declines with age and thyroid diseases increase in prevalence. This Review outlines our current knowledge about how thyroid function changes with age and the implications for patient care.

This Review discusses the current understanding of adipose tissue macrophages and T cells. Discussion of these cells is used as an example of how metabolic tissue niches can dictate immune cell function in unique ways that diverge from the classic understanding of leukocyte biology.

Inter-organ crosstalk is increasingly understood as an important mechanism contributing to insulin resistance and β-cell failure, the key features of type 2 diabetes mellitus. This Review discusses mediators of inter-organ crosstalk in type 2 diabetes mellitus, its pathogenesis and its related complications.

Evidence indicates an elevated risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus after breast cancer treatment, particularly for endocrine therapy. This Review outlines the evidence for adverse metabolic effects of endocrine therapies in humans. Potential mechanisms, informed by preclinical research, for the increased risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus are discussed.

This Review emphasizes new insights into adipose tissue endothelial cell biology and alterations linked to obesity. In particular, studies highlighting the identification of adipose tissue endothelial cell heterogeneity, epigenetic factors, and plasticity of adipocytes and endothelial cells are presented.

This Review discusses newly discovered functions of pituitary hormones on bone, adipose tissue and the brain. Mechanisms of pituitary hormone actions on somatic organs and neural function are outlined. The role of dysregulated pituitary hormone function in multiple diseases and the potential for targeting ligands and receptors therapeutically are discussed.

Regaining weight after successful weight loss is a common problem for people with obesity. This Review discusses the potential physiological mechanisms underlying weight regain after weight loss and possible strategies to counter weight regain.

This Review discusses the key principles and uses of engineered neurobiological tools, such as optogenetics and chemogenetics. The authors discuss examples of their use in the metabolism field and highlight important points to consider when choosing an experimental technique.

This Review examines the origins of marrow adipocytes and their function under normal or pathological conditions. Regulation of bone marrow adipose tissue by nutrient status is considered, as well as the interactions between bone marrow adipose tissue, haematopoietic cells of the bone marrow and the bone.

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) contribute to human disease, disability and economic damage. This Review outlines a set of evidence-based policy actions to manage, minimize or eliminate the use of EDCs, alongside a number of specific challenges and potential recommendations.

This Review discusses challenges in the management of Cushing disease in adults and provides information to help with planning an integrated and individualized approach for each patient.

This Review discusses the physiological and neurological mechanisms that drive altered eating behaviours in pregnancy, including food cravings, food aversions and changes in sensory perception, and the implications for the long-term health of the gestational parent and offspring.

For patients with osteoporosis, the long-term use of bone-specific pharmacological therapies, including antiresorptive and/or osteoanabolic approaches, has raised concerns around adverse effects or potential rebound phenomena after treatment discontinuation. This Review outlines clinical data on long-term and sequential treatment for osteoporosis.

This article discusses the neuroanatomy and function of the central melanocortin circuitry, focusing on metabolic disorders. Progress and limitations of therapeutics targeting this system and potential strategies to improve melanocortin-based therapeutics are outlined.