The worldwide incidence of obesity and its sequelae, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, have reached pandemic levels. Central to the development of these metabolic disorders is adipose tissue. White adipose tissue stores excess energy, whereas brown adipose tissue (BAT) and beige (also known as brite) adipose tissue dissipate energy to generate heat in a process known as thermogenesis. Strategies that activate and expand BAT and beige adipose tissue increase energy expenditure in animal models and offer therapeutic promise to treat obesity. A better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the development of BAT and beige adipose tissue and the activation of thermogenic function is the key to creating practical therapeutic interventions for obesity and metabolic disorders. In this Review, we discuss the regulation of the tissue microenvironment (the adipose niche) and inter-organ communication between BAT and other tissues. We also cover the activation of BAT and beige adipose tissue in response to physiological cues (such as cold exposure, exercise and diet). We highlight advances in harnessing the therapeutic potential of BAT and beige adipose tissue by genetic, pharmacological and cell-based approaches in obesity and metabolic disorders.

肥胖及其后遗症（如 2 型糖尿病）的全球发病率已达到大流行水平。这些代谢紊乱的核心是脂肪组织。白色脂肪组织储存多余的能量，而棕色脂肪组织 (BAT) 和米色（也称为 brite）脂肪组织耗散能量以在称为产热的过程中产生热量。激活和扩大 BAT 和米色脂肪组织的策略会增加动物模型的能量消耗，并为治疗肥胖症提供治疗希望。更好地了解 BAT 和米色脂肪组织发育以及产热功能激活的分子机制是为肥胖和代谢紊乱制定实用治疗干预措施的关键。在这篇评论中，我们讨论了组织微环境（脂肪生态位）的调节以及 BAT 与其他组织之间的器官间通讯。我们还介绍了 BAT 和米色脂肪组织响应生理线索（如冷暴露、运动和饮食）的激活。我们强调通过遗传、药理学和基于细胞的方法在肥胖和代谢紊乱中利用 BAT 和米色脂肪组织的治疗潜力方面取得的进展。