(Cell Metabolism 37, 606–615.e1–e3; March 4, 2025)

(Cell Metabolism 31, 534–548.e1–e5; March 3, 2020)

In January 2005, Cell Metabolism released its very first issue, and this year we are proud to celebrate 20 years of publishing broadly impactful metabolic research. In this Voices series, we highlight individuals who, like Cell Metabolism, were just starting out in the metabolism field when they published in the pages of the first issues of this new journal. Over the past 20 years, these authors have

The contributions of signals generated by hepatic stellate cells that regulate hepatocyte lipid and glucose homeostasis are largely unexplored. The article by Hansen et al. introduces a novel role of plasmalemma vesicle-associated protein (PLVAP), a membrane protein expressed by hepatic stellate cells, in regulating these pathways in hepatocytes during fasting.

Adipose tissue adapts to metabolic challenges through multiple regulatory mechanisms, including neuronal input. Although sympathetic neuronal regulation is well established, the impact of sensory feedback remains elusive. In this issue of Cell Metabolism, two studies reveal that sensory neurons expressing PIEZO2 modulate adipose function by inhibiting sympathetic output, reshaping our understanding

Protein-level investigations into the human microbiome provide insights into active microbial functions. Recently, Valdés-Mas et al.1 introduced a metagenome-informed metaproteomics approach to functionally explore species-level microbiome-host interactions and quantify the dietary exposome. Its potential has been implemented in mice and humans to uncover proteomic signatures of health and inflammatory

The reprogramming of metabolic pathways and processes in immune cells has emerged as an important aspect of the immune response. Metabolic intermediates accumulate as a result of metabolic adaptations and mediate functions outside of metabolism in the regulation of immunity and inflammation. In macrophages, there has been a major focus on 3 metabolites linked to the Krebs cycle, itaconate, succinate

(Cell Metabolism 35, 101–117.e1–e11; January 3, 2023)

Section snippets Main textWe present this special focus issue on March 4th, coinciding with World Obesity Day 2025, to show our solidarity with the World Obesity Federation and advocate for increased awareness, prevention, and treatment of obesity. We embrace this year’s World Obesity Day theme, "Changing Systems," which challenges us to broaden our perspective from viewing obesity as solely an individual

Using a high-fat-diet (HFD) mouse model and clinical samples, Wang et al.1 in this issue of Cell Metabolism report that ferroptotic signaling is involved in the expansion of adipose tissue and promotes adaptive thermogenesis in beige adipocytes. This finding may represent a promising new avenue for treating obesity.

Starvation triggers an organismal adaptive response that is orchestrated by endocrine factors. In this issue of Cell Metabolism, Long et al.1 uncover a famsin-glucagon axis that relays gut-derived hormonal cues to systemic glucose homeostasis during fasting.

Obesity is a growing public health issue that has recently been transformed through the advent of new medicines. However, our understanding of the pathways and mechanisms that regulate energy balance in mammals is still developing. Recent discoveries on this front include an exciting new finding that there exists a novel class of metabolites in humans and mice that can regulate obesity in rodents.

Over the last 30 years, our understanding of the causes of obesity has been transformed, and new, highly effective medicines for reducing weight have been developed. This remarkable progress marks an end and a beginning. By establishing that obesity is a biologic disorder amenable to scientific inquiry and rational drug development, simplistic notions about its causes and treatment should be laid to

Advances in the understanding of homeostatic regulation of body weight and the neurobiology of appetite, combined with innovations in medicinal chemistry, have paved the way for safe and effective weight loss medications. Long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonists have revolutionized obesity treatment, and, together with emerging GLP-1-based multi-agonists and combination therapies, offer significant potential

(Cell Metabolism 36, 1823–1838.e1–e6; August 6, 2024)

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is highly glycolytic and lacks effective biomarkers for therapy response. The BREAKFAST trial showed that a fasting-mimicking diet (FMD) improved pathological complete response (pCR) rates to 56.6% compared to historical chemotherapy averages (30%–40%), with minimal severe adverse events. FMD’s metabolic and immune-modulating effects warrant further study with immunotherapy

There is growing evidence that micro-RNAs (miRNAs) are key players in the regulation of gut health. In this issue of Cell Metabolism, Li et al.1 uncovered that the dietary fiber stachyose can modulate the luminal miRNA load of the intestinal tracts by binding to HSP90β, thereby altering the gut’s microbial composition.

In an evolutionary twist to mammalian bioenergetics, Spinelli and coworkers reveal the presence of rhodoquinones in mammalian mitochondria, expanding the established premise that the mammalian respiratory chain relies uniquely on ubiquinones for catalysis.

Propionate metabolism dysregulation has emerged as a source of metabolic health alterations linked to aging, cardiovascular and renal diseases, obesity and diabetes, and cancer. This is supported by several large cohort population studies and recent work revealing its role in cancer progression. Mutations in several enzymes of this metabolic pathway are associated with devastating inborn errors of