Although innate immunity is linked to metabolic health, the effect of
leptin signaling in cells from the innate immune system on
glucose homeostasis has not been thoroughly investigated. We generated two mouse models using Cre-lox methodology to determine the effect of myeloid cell-specific
leptin receptor (Lepr) reconstitution and Lepr knockdown on in vivo
glucose metabolism. Male mice with myeloid cell-specific Lepr reconstitution (Lyz2Cre+LeprloxTB/loxTB) had better
glycemic control as they aged compared to male mice with whole-body transcriptional blockade of Lepr (Lyz2Cre-LeprloxTB/loxTB). In contrast, Lyz2Cre+LeprloxTB/loxTB females only had a trend for diminished
hyperglycemia after a prolonged fast. During
glucose tolerance tests, Lyz2Cre+LeprloxTB/loxTB males had a mildly improved plasma
glucose profile compared to Cre- controls while Lyz2Cre+LeprloxTB/loxTB females had a similar
glucose excursion to their Cre- controls. Myeloid cell-specific Lepr knockdown (Lyz2Cre+Leprflox/flox) did not significantly alter
body weight,
blood glucose,
insulin sensitivity, or
glucose tolerance in males or females. Expression of the
cytokine interleukin 10 (anti-inflammatory) tended to be higher in adipose tissue of male Lyz2Cre+LeprloxTB/loxTB mice (p = 0.0774) while
interleukin 6 (pro-inflammatory) was lower in male Lyz2Cre+Leprflox/flox mice (p < 0.05) vs. their respective controls. In conclusion, reconstitution of Lepr in cells of myeloid lineage has beneficial effects on
glucose metabolism in male mice.