[HTML][HTML] Macrophage depletion disrupts immune balance and energy homeostasis

B Lee, L Qiao, B Kinney, GS Feng, J Shao - PloS one, 2014 - journals.plos.org
B Lee, L Qiao, B Kinney, GS Feng, J Shao
PloS one, 2014journals.plos.org
Increased macrophage infiltration in tissues including white adipose tissue and skeletal
muscle has been recognized as a pro-inflammatory factor that impairs insulin sensitivity in
obesity. However, the relationship between tissue macrophages and energy metabolism
under non-obese physiological conditions is not clear. To study a homeostatic role of
macrophages in energy homeostasis, we depleted tissue macrophages in adult mice
through conditional expression of diphtheria toxin (DT) receptor and DT-induced apoptosis …
Increased macrophage infiltration in tissues including white adipose tissue and skeletal muscle has been recognized as a pro-inflammatory factor that impairs insulin sensitivity in obesity. However, the relationship between tissue macrophages and energy metabolism under non-obese physiological conditions is not clear. To study a homeostatic role of macrophages in energy homeostasis, we depleted tissue macrophages in adult mice through conditional expression of diphtheria toxin (DT) receptor and DT-induced apoptosis. Macrophage depletion robustly reduced body fat mass due to reduced energy intake. These phenotypes were reversed after macrophage recovery. As a potential mechanism, severe hypothalamic and systemic inflammation was induced by neutrophil (NE) infiltration in the absence of macrophages. In addition, macrophage depletion dramatically increased circulating granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) which is indispensable for NE production and tissue infiltration. Our in vitro study further revealed that macrophages directly suppress G-CSF gene expression. Therefore, our study indicates that macrophages may play a critical role in integrating immune balance and energy homeostasis under physiological conditions.
PLOS