iNKT Cells Induce FGF21 for Thermogenesis and Are Required for Maximal Weight Loss in GLP1 Therapy.

Abstract

Adipose-resident invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells are key players in metabolic regulation. iNKT cells are innate lipid sensors, and their activation, using their prototypic ligand α-galactosylceramide (αGalCer), induces weight loss and restores glycemic control in obesity. Here, iNKT activation induced fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) production and thermogenic browning of white fat. Complete metabolic analysis revealed that iNKT cell activation induced increased body temperature, V02, VC02, and fatty acid oxidation, without affecting food intake or activity. FGF21 induction played a major role in iNKT cell-induced weight loss, as FGF21 null mice lost significantly less weight after αGalCer treatment. The glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, liraglutide, also activated iNKT cells in humans and mice. In iNKT-deficient mice, liraglutide promoted satiety but failed to induce FGF21, resulting in less weight loss. These findings reveal an iNKT cell-FGF21 axis that defines a new immune-mediated pathway that could be targeted for glycemic control and weight regulation.

• Authors: Lydia Lynch, Andrew E Hogan, Danielle Duquette, Chantel Lester, Alexander Banks, Katherine LeClair, David E Cohen, Abhisek Ghosh, Bing Lu, Michelle Corrigan, Darko Stevanovic, Eleftheria Maratos-Flier, Daniel J Drucker, Donal O'Shea, Michael Brenner
• Journal: Cell metabolism (Cell Metab) Vol. 24 Issue 3 Pg. 510-519 (09 13 2016) ISSN: 1932-7420 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 27593966 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• fibroblast growth factor 21
• Fibroblast Growth Factors
• Liraglutide
• Glucagon-Like Peptide 1

Topics

• Adipose Tissue, Brown (drug effects, metabolism)
• Adipose Tissue, White (drug effects, metabolism)
• Animals
• Fibroblast Growth Factors (metabolism)
• Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 (analogs & derivatives, therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Liraglutide (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Mice, Inbred C57BL
• Natural Killer T-Cells (drug effects, metabolism)
• Thermogenesis (drug effects)
• Weight Loss (drug effects)