• Media type: E-Article
  • Title: Neutralization of Osteopontin Inhibits Obesity-Induced Inflammation and Insulin Resistance
  • Contributor: Kiefer, Florian W.; Zeyda, Maximilian; Gollinger, Karina; Pfau, Birgit; Neuhofer, Angelika; Weichhart, Thomas; Säemann, Marcus D.; Geyeregger, René; Schlederer, Michaela; Kenner, Lukas; Stulnig, Thomas M.
  • imprint: American Diabetes Association, 2010
  • Published in: Diabetes
  • Language: English
  • DOI: 10.2337/db09-0404
  • ISSN: 0012-1797; 1939-327X
  • Origination:
  • Footnote:
  • Description: <jats:sec> <jats:title>OBJECTIVE</jats:title> <jats:p>Obesity is associated with a state of chronic low-grade inflammation mediated by immune cells that are primarily located to adipose tissue and liver. The chronic inflammatory response appears to underlie obesity-induced metabolic deterioration including insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Osteopontin (OPN) is an inflammatory cytokine, the expression of which is strongly upregulated in adipose tissue and liver upon obesity. Here, we studied OPN effects in obesity-induced inflammation and insulin resistance by targeting OPN action in vivo.</jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title>RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS</jats:title> <jats:p>C57BL/6J mice were fed a high-fat diet to induce obesity and were then intravenously treated with an OPN-neutralizing or control antibody. Insulin sensitivity and inflammatory alterations in adipose tissue and liver were assessed.</jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title>RESULTS</jats:title> <jats:p>Interference with OPN action by a neutralizing antibody for 5 days significantly improved insulin sensitivity in diet-induced obese mice. Anti-OPN treatment attenuated liver and adipose tissue macrophage infiltration and inflammatory gene expression by increasing macrophage apoptosis and significantly reducing c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase activation. Moreover, we report OPN as a novel negative regulator for the activation of hepatic signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), which is essential for glucose homeostasis and insulin sensitivity. Consequently, OPN neutralization decreased expression of hepatic gluconeogenic markers, which are targets of STAT3-mediated downregulation.</jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title>CONCLUSIONS</jats:title> <jats:p>These findings demonstrate that antibody-mediated neutralization of OPN action significantly reduces insulin resistance in obesity. OPN neutralization partially decreases obesity-associated inflammation in adipose tissue and liver and reverses signal transduction related to insulin resistance and glucose homeostasis. Hence, targeting OPN could provide a novel approach for the treatment of obesity-related metabolic disorders.</jats:p> </jats:sec>
  • Access State: Open Access