Metabolic Effects of CX3CR1 Deficiency in Diet-Induced Obese Mice

PLoS One. 2015 Sep 22;10(9):e0138317. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0138317. eCollection 2015.

Abstract

The fractalkine (CX3CL1-CX3CR1) chemokine system is associated with obesity-related inflammation and type 2 diabetes, but data on effects of Cx3cr1 deficiency on metabolic pathways is contradictory. We examined male C57BL/6 Cx3cr1-/- mice on chow and high-fat diet to determine the metabolic effects of Cx3cr1 deficiency. We found no difference in body weight and fat content or feeding and energy expenditure between Cx3cr1-/- and WT mice. Cx3cr1-/- mice had reduced glucose intolerance assessed by intraperitoneal glucose tolerance tests at chow and high-fat fed states, though there was no difference in glucose-stimulated insulin values. Cx3cr1-/- mice also had improved insulin sensitivity at hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp, with higher glucose infusion rate, rate of disposal, and hepatic glucose production suppression compared to WT mice. Enhanced insulin signaling in response to acute intravenous insulin injection was demonstrated in Cx3cr1-/- by increased liver protein levels of phosphorylated AKT and GSK3β proteins. There were no differences in adipose tissue macrophage populations, circulating inflammatory monocytes, adipokines, lipids, or inflammatory markers. In conclusion, we demonstrate a moderate and reproducible protective effect of Cx3cr1 deficiency on glucose intolerance and insulin resistance.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adipokines / metabolism
  • Adipose Tissue / cytology
  • Animals
  • CX3C Chemokine Receptor 1
  • Chemokine CCL2 / blood
  • Chemokine CX3CL1 / blood
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / etiology
  • Diet, High-Fat*
  • Energy Metabolism
  • Glucose Intolerance
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 / genetics
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 / metabolism
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta
  • Insulin / metabolism
  • Insulin Resistance
  • Interleukin-6 / blood
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Macrophages / cytology
  • Macrophages / immunology
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / metabolism
  • Receptors, Chemokine / deficiency
  • Receptors, Chemokine / genetics*

Substances

  • Adipokines
  • CX3C Chemokine Receptor 1
  • Chemokine CCL2
  • Chemokine CX3CL1
  • Cx3cr1 protein, mouse
  • Insulin
  • Interleukin-6
  • Receptors, Chemokine
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta
  • Gsk3b protein, mouse
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3