Overexpressing the hydroxycarboxylic acid receptor 1 in mouse brown adipose tissue restores glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity in diet-induced obese mice

Hyeon Young Min, Jiyeon Hwang, Yuna Choi, Young Hwan Jo

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

Interscapular brown adipose tissue (BAT) plays an important role in controlling glucose homeostasis. Increased glucose entry and glycolysis in BAT result in lactate production and release. The adipose tissue expresses the lactate receptor hydrocarboxylic acid receptor 1 (HCAR1), markedly downregulated in male diet-induced obese (DIO) and ob/ob mice. In this study, we examined the role of HCAR1 in BAT in controlling glucose homeostasis in male DIO mice. We overexpressed HCAR1 in BAT by injecting adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) expressing HCAR1 into the BAT pads of male DIO C57BL/6J mice. Overexpressing HCAR1 in BAT resulted in augmented glucose uptake by BAT in response to treatment with the HCAR1 agonist. HCAR1 overexpression elevated BAT temperature associated with increased thermogenic gene expression in BAT. HCAR1 overexpression prevented body weight gain in male DIO mice. Importantly, mice overexpressing HCAR1 in BAT exhibited improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. HCAR1 overexpression upregulated the Slc2a4 gene expression and promoted GLUT4 trafficking to the plasma membrane. In addition, mice overexpressing HCAR1 displayed a decrease in hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) phosphorylation and increased lipogenic enzyme gene expression in BAT. Unlike DIO mice, overexpressing HCAR1 in BAT of mice fed a low-fat diet did not change body weight gain and glucose homeostasis. Taken together, our results support the interpretation that HCAR1 expressed in BAT promotes glucose entry and reduces lipolysis in BAT of male DIO mice. As activation of HCAR1 in BAT restores body weight, glucose tolerance, and insulin sensitivity in male DIO mice, our study suggests that interoceptive lactate detection via HCAR1 in BAT can regulate glucose and lipid substrate utilization and/or availability to promote healthy metabolism.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)E231-E241
JournalAmerican Journal of Physiology - Endocrinology and Metabolism
Volume323
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2022

Keywords

  • G protein
  • glucose
  • glycolysis
  • lactate
  • obesity

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
  • Physiology
  • Physiology (medical)

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