Intestinal L-cell mechanoreception regulates hepatic lipid metabolism through GLP-1

Sci Adv. 2025 May 30;11(22):eadv3201. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.adv3201. Epub 2025 May 30.

Abstract

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), secreted by intestinal L cells, is essential for lowering postprandial glucose levels and regulating hepatic lipid metabolism.We investigate the effects of manipulating Piezo1 in L cells on hepatic lipid metabolism. We found that normal and high-fat diet-fed L cell-specific Piezo1 knockout (IntL-Piezo1-/-) mice exhibited reduced circulating GLP-1 levels, increased hepatic lipid accumulation, decreased β-catenin expression, and elevated lipogenesis-related genes and proteins, including SREBP1c, PPARγ, FASN, and ACC. Treatment with exendin-4 improved fatty liver in IntL-Piezo1-/- mice by stimulating β-catenin and inhibiting de novo lipogenesis. Intestinal bead implantation stimulated GLP-1 release and inhibited lipid synthesis in livers of diet-induced obese mice but not in IntL-Piezo1-/- mice. In primary hepatocytes derived from IntL-Piezo1-/- mice, lipid accumulation and enhanced fatty acid synthesis were associated with reduced β-catenin expression and impaired nuclear translocation. Exendin-4 treatment alleviated lipid accumulation, which was blocked by the β-catenin inhibitor nitazoxanide. L-cell mechanoreception is vital for regulating hepatic lipid metabolism through GLP-1.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Diet, High-Fat / adverse effects
  • Enteroendocrine Cells* / metabolism
  • Exenatide / pharmacology
  • Glucagon-Like Peptide 1* / genetics
  • Glucagon-Like Peptide 1* / metabolism
  • Hepatocytes / metabolism
  • Ion Channels / genetics
  • Ion Channels / metabolism
  • Lipid Metabolism*
  • Lipogenesis
  • Liver* / metabolism
  • Male
  • Mechanotransduction, Cellular*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • beta Catenin / metabolism

Substances

  • Glucagon-Like Peptide 1
  • Exenatide
  • beta Catenin
  • Ion Channels