Cbl-b is a critical regulator of macrophage activation associated with obesity-induced insulin resistance in mice

Diabetes. 2013 Jun;62(6):1957-69. doi: 10.2337/db12-0677. Epub 2013 Jan 24.

Abstract

We previously reported the potential involvement of casitas B-cell lymphoma-b (Cbl-b) in aging-related murine insulin resistance. Because obesity also induces macrophage recruitment into adipose tissue, we elucidated here the role of Cbl-b in obesity-related insulin resistance. Cbl-b(+/+) and Cbl-b(-/-) mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) and then examined for obesity-related changes in insulin signaling. The HFD caused recruitment of macrophages into adipose tissue and increased inflammatory reaction in Cbl-b(-/-) compared with Cbl-b(+/+) mice. Peritoneal macrophages from Cbl-b(-/-) mice and Cbl-b-overexpressing RAW264.7 macrophages were used to examine the direct effect of saturated fatty acids (FAs) on macrophage activation. In macrophages, Cbl-b suppressed saturated FA-induced Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling by ubiquitination and degradation of TLR4. The physiological role of Cbl-b in vivo was also examined by bone marrow transplantation and Eritoran, a TLR4 antagonist. Hematopoietic cell-specific depletion of the Cbl-b gene induced disturbed responses on insulin and glucose tolerance tests. Blockade of TLR4 signaling by Eritoran reduced fasting blood glucose and serum interleukin-6 levels in obese Cbl-b(-/-) mice. These results suggest that Cbl-b deficiency could exaggerate HFD-induced insulin resistance through saturated FA-mediated macrophage activation. Therefore, inhibition of TLR4 signaling is an attractive therapeutic strategy for treatment of obesity-related insulin resistance.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / genetics
  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Cell Line
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Humans
  • Immunoblotting
  • Immunoprecipitation
  • Insulin Resistance / genetics
  • Insulin Resistance / physiology
  • Macrophage Activation / genetics
  • Macrophage Activation / physiology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • Obesity / genetics
  • Obesity / metabolism*
  • Obesity / physiopathology*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-cbl / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-cbl / metabolism*
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction

Substances

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Cblb protein, mouse
  • NF-kappa B
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-cbl