Deletion of class A scavenger receptor deteriorates obesity-induced insulin resistance in adipose tissue

Diabetes. 2014 Feb;63(2):562-77. doi: 10.2337/db13-0815. Epub 2013 Oct 29.

Abstract

Chronic low-grade inflammation, particularly in the adipose tissue, orchestrates obesity-induced insulin resistance. In this process, polarized activation of macrophages plays a crucial role. However, how macrophages contribute to insulin resistance remains obscure. Class A scavenger receptor (SR-A) is a pattern recognition receptor primarily expressed in macrophages. Through a combination of in vivo and in vitro studies, we report here that deletion of SR-A resulted in reduced insulin sensitivity in obese mice. The anti-inflammatory virtue of SR-A was accomplished by favoring M2 macrophage polarization in adipose tissue. Moreover, we demonstrate that lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) served as an obesity-related endogenous ligand for SR-A promoting M2 macrophage polarization by activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 signaling. These data have unraveled a clear mechanistic link between insulin resistance and inflammation mediated by the LPC/SR-A pathway in macrophages.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adipose Tissue / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Bone Marrow Transplantation
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Insulin Resistance / physiology*
  • Lysophosphatidylcholines / metabolism
  • Macrophages, Peritoneal / physiology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Obesity / complications*
  • Scavenger Receptors, Class A / genetics
  • Scavenger Receptors, Class A / metabolism*

Substances

  • Lysophosphatidylcholines
  • Scavenger Receptors, Class A