Emerging Roles for Browning of White Adipose Tissue in Prostate Cancer Malignant Behaviour

Abstract

In addition to its well-known role as an energy repository, adipose tissue is one of the largest endocrine organs in the organism due to its ability to synthesize and release different bioactive molecules. Two main types of adipose tissue have been described, namely white adipose tissue (WAT) with a classical energy storage function, and brown adipose tissue (BAT) with thermogenic activity. The prostate, an exocrine gland present in the reproductive system of most mammals, is surrounded by periprostatic adipose tissue (PPAT) that contributes to maintaining glandular homeostasis in conjunction with other cell types of the microenvironment. In pathological conditions such as the development and progression of prostate cancer, adipose tissue plays a key role through paracrine and endocrine signaling. In this context, the role of WAT has been thoroughly studied. However, the influence of BAT on prostate tumor development and progression is unclear and has received much less attention. This review tries to bring an update on the role of different factors released by WAT which may participate in the initiation, progression and metastasis, as well as to compile the available information on BAT to discuss and open a new field of knowledge about the possible protective role of BAT in prostate cancer.