Peripheral Neuropathy and Hindlimb Paralysis in a Mouse Model of Adipocyte-Specific Knockout of Lkb1.

ABSTRACT: Brown adipose tissues (BAT) burn lipids to generate heat through uncoupled respiration, thus representing a powerful target to counteract lipid accumulation and obesity. The tumor suppressor liver kinase b1 (Lkb1) is a key regulator of cellular energy metabolism; and adipocyte-specific knockout of Lkb1 (Ad-Lkb1 KO) leads to the expansion of BAT, improvements in systemic metabolism and resistance to obesity in young mice. Here we report the unexpected finding that the Ad-Lkb1 KO mice develop hindlimb paralysis at mid-age. Gene expression analyses indicate that Lkb1 KO upregulates the expression of inflammatory cytokines in interscapular BAT and epineurial brown adipocytes surrounding the sciatic nerve. This is followed by peripheral neuropathy characterized by infiltration of macrophages in

SUBMITTER: Xiong Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5652135 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature