LTB4 promotes insulin resistance in obese mice by acting on macrophages, hepatocytes and myocytes

Nat Med. 2015 Mar;21(3):239-247. doi: 10.1038/nm.3800. Epub 2015 Feb 23.

Abstract

Insulin resistance results from several pathophysiologic mechanisms, including chronic tissue inflammation and defective insulin signaling. We found that liver, muscle and adipose tissue exhibit higher levels of the chemotactic eicosanoid LTB4 in obese high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice. Inhibition of the LTB4 receptor Ltb4r1, through either genetic or pharmacologic loss of function, led to an anti-inflammatory phenotype with protection from insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis. In vitro treatment with LTB4 directly enhanced macrophage chemotaxis, stimulated inflammatory pathways, reduced insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in L6 myocytes, and impaired insulin-mediated suppression of hepatic glucose output in primary mouse hepatocytes. This was accompanied by lower insulin-stimulated Akt phosphorylation and higher Irs-1/2 serine phosphorylation, and all of these events were dependent on Gαi and Jnk1, two downstream mediators of Ltb4r1 signaling. These observations elucidate a novel role of the LTB4-Ltb4r1 signaling pathway in hepatocyte and myocyte insulin resistance, and they show that in vivo inhibition of Ltb4r1 leads to robust insulin-sensitizing effects.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blood Glucose / metabolism
  • Diet, High-Fat
  • Fatty Liver / immunology
  • Fatty Liver / metabolism
  • Hepatocytes / immunology*
  • Hepatocytes / metabolism
  • Inflammation / immunology
  • Insulin / metabolism
  • Insulin Receptor Substrate Proteins / metabolism
  • Insulin Resistance / immunology*
  • Leukotriene B4 / immunology*
  • Macrophages / immunology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Obese
  • Muscle Fibers, Skeletal / immunology*
  • Muscle Fibers, Skeletal / metabolism
  • Obesity / immunology*
  • Obesity / metabolism
  • Phosphorylation
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / metabolism
  • Receptors, Leukotriene B4 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Receptors, Leukotriene B4 / genetics
  • Receptors, Leukotriene B4 / immunology*
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • Blood Glucose
  • Insulin
  • Insulin Receptor Substrate Proteins
  • Irs1 protein, mouse
  • Irs2 protein, mouse
  • Ltb4r1 protein, mouse
  • Receptors, Leukotriene B4
  • Leukotriene B4
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt