The role of M2-like macrophages in glucose metabolism

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26461327
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Metabolomics
• Research Institution: University of Toyama
• Principal Investigator: TOBE Kazuyuki 富山大学, 大学院医学薬学研究部(医学), 教授 (30251242)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: インスリン抵抗性 / M2マクロファージ

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Adipose tissue resident macrophages (ATMs) play important roles in regulating insulin sensitivity via their anti-inflammatory actions. However, the mechanism by which ATMs affect the functions of adipocytes is largely unknown. Here, we show that the CD206/TGFβ pathway plays critical roles in regulating adipogenesis and glucose homeostasis. Adipose tissue CD206+ cells were determined to be exclusively M2 macrophages, and a reduction in their number improved systemic insulin sensitivity, which was associated with an increased number of smaller adipocytes. The genetically engineered CD206+cells-reduced mice showed a down-regulation of TGFβ signaling in adipose tissue, which was accompanied by up-regulated proliferation and differentiation of adipocyte progenitors (APs), thereby providing increased numbers of smaller adipocytes. Our findings indicate that CD206+ cells regulate APs’ growth/differentiation and thereby control adiposity and systemic insulin sensitivity.

Free Research Field

糖尿病学