Inter‐organ communication: a gatekeeper for metabolic health

Abstract

Multidirectional interactions between metabolic organs in the periphery and the central nervous system have evolved concomitantly with multicellular organisms to maintain whole‐body energy homeostasis and ensure the organism's adaptation to external cues. These interactions are altered in pathological conditions such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. Bioactive peptides and proteins, such as hormones and cytokines, produced by both peripheral organs and the central nervous system, are key messengers in this inter‐organ communication. Despite the early discovery of the first hormones more than 100 years ago, recent studies taking advantage of novel technologies have shed light on the multiple ways used by cells in the body to communicate and maintain energy balance. This review briefly summarizes well‐established concepts and focuses on recent advances describing how specific proteins and peptides mediate the crosstalk between gut, brain, and other peripheral metabolic organs in order to maintain energy homeostasis. Additionally, this review outlines how the improved knowledge about these inter‐organ networks is helping us to redefine therapeutic strategies in an effort to promote healthy living and fight metabolic disorders and other diseases.

A nutrient-responsive hormonal circuit controls energy and water homeostasis inDrosophila

“…The ability to maintain osmotic and metabolic homeostasis in response to environmental challenges is a fundamental prerequisite for animal life. Organisms must ensure a balanced equilibrium between nutrient intake, storage and expenditure, which is governed by complex interorgan communication mediated by systemic factors that coordinate the action of specialized organs 1,2 . Remarkably, animals that differ dramatically in life history strategy – like humans and insects – engage similar homeostatic responses, such as promoting nutrient uptake during nutrient-poor states and stimulating waste excretion during nutrient-replete states.…”

Systemic Regulation of Cancer Development by Neuro-Endocrine-Immune Signaling Network at Multiple Levels

“…Many physiological functions and pathological initiation and progression originate from communication between organs, which occurs via hormones and cytokines, produced by both peripheral organs and the central nervous system (Karsenty and Olson, 2016;Castillo-Armengol et al, 2019). Two excellent examples are inter-organ growth coordination: growth-impaired organs induce the systemic growth inhibition of undamaged organs by producing Dilp8 hormone (Boulan et al, 2019), and endocrine-regulated metabolic homeostasis (Scopelliti et al, 2019).…”

“…Two excellent examples are inter-organ growth coordination: growth-impaired organs induce the systemic growth inhibition of undamaged organs by producing Dilp8 hormone (Boulan et al, 2019), and endocrine-regulated metabolic homeostasis (Scopelliti et al, 2019). Moreover, the crosstalk between the liver and intestine by FGF19 performs important functions in cholesterol metabolism and energy homeostasis (Castillo-Armengol et al, 2019). Lipid metabolites work as long-range hormones to transmit signals around several organs, including liver, muscle, and adipose tissue, to regulate systemic energy metabolism and immune metabolism (Liu et al, 2014).…”

Computational Mathematical Model Based on Lyapunov Function for the Hormonal Storage Control

“…The complex physiological mechanisms that keep the organism in homeostatic balance stimulate the minds of scholars to seek an understanding of this dynamic of internal control. The nervous and endocrine systems are responsible for the regulation and coordination of most of these mechanisms [9,7]. The endocrine system, with its set of glands and cells, participates in this control through the hormones it releases.…”