Myeloid Krüppel-like factor 2 is a critical regulator of metabolic inflammation

Nat Commun. 2020 Nov 18;11(1):5872. doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-19760-3.

Abstract

Substantial evidence implicates crosstalk between metabolic tissues and the immune system in the inception and progression of obesity. However, molecular regulators that orchestrate metaflammation both centrally and peripherally remains incompletely understood. Here, we identify myeloid Krüppel-like factor 2 (KLF2) as an essential regulator of obesity and its sequelae. In mice and humans, consumption of a fatty diet downregulates myeloid KLF2 levels. Under basal conditions, myeloid-specific KLF2 knockout mice (K2KO) exhibit increased feeding and weight gain. High-fat diet (HFD) feeding further exacerbates the K2KO metabolic disease phenotype. Mechanistically, loss of myeloid KLF2 increases metaflammation in peripheral and central tissues. A combination of pair-feeding, bone marrow-transplant, and microglial ablation implicate central and peripheral contributions to K2KO-induced metabolic dysfunction observed. Finally, overexpression of myeloid KLF2 protects mice from HFD-induced obesity and insulin resistance. Together, these data establish myeloid KLF2 as a nodal regulator of central and peripheral metabolic inflammation in homeostasis and disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Central Nervous System / immunology
  • Diet, High-Fat / adverse effects
  • Eating
  • Humans
  • Inflammation
  • Insulin Resistance
  • Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors / immunology*
  • Male
  • Metabolic Diseases / genetics
  • Metabolic Diseases / immunology*
  • Metabolic Diseases / metabolism
  • Metabolic Diseases / physiopathology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Myeloid Cells / immunology*
  • Obesity / etiology
  • Obesity / genetics
  • Obesity / immunology*
  • Obesity / physiopathology
  • Peripheral Nervous System / immunology

Substances

  • Klf2 protein, mouse
  • Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors