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Breast milk alkylglycerols sustain beige adipocytes through adipose tissue macrophages

Haidong Yu1, Sedat Dilbaz1,2, Jonas Coßmann1

  • 1Institute of Neurobiology, and.

The Journal of Clinical Investigation
|May 14, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Breast milk lipids called alkylglycerol-type (AKG-type) ether lipids protect infants from obesity by maintaining beige adipose tissue. This crucial mother-to-child lipid signaling is essential for healthy infant development and preventing adult obesity.

Area of Science:

  • Lipid signaling
  • Adipose tissue biology
  • Infant nutrition

Background:

  • Childhood obesity is a growing global health crisis, with early-onset obesity often leading to adult obesity and related diseases.
  • Current infant nutrition, including formula, lacks specific protective lipid compounds found in breast milk.
  • Understanding early-life metabolic programming is crucial for preventing long-term health issues.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify specific lipid signaling pathways in breast milk that protect against infant obesity.
  • To elucidate the mechanism by which these lipids influence adipose tissue development in infants.
  • To explore the potential therapeutic implications of these findings for obesity prevention.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of lipid species in breast milk and their metabolism in infant adipose tissue.
  • Investigation of the role of alkylglycerol-type (AKG-type) ether lipids in beige adipose tissue (BeAT) maintenance.
  • Study of the interaction between adipose tissue macrophages (ATMs) and AKGs, including PAF production and IL-6/STAT3 signaling.
  • Comparison of AKG signaling in infants versus adults, and in lean versus obese adipose tissue.

Main Results:

  • Breast milk contains unique AKG-type ether lipids absent in infant formula and adult diets.
  • AKGs promote infant beige adipose tissue (BeAT) development and prevent its conversion to white adipose tissue (WAT).
  • Metabolism of AKGs by ATMs produces platelet-activating factor (PAF), activating IL-6/STAT3 signaling and BeAT development.
  • Lack of AKG intake in infancy results in BeAT loss and increased fat accumulation.
  • AKG signaling is infant-specific but reactivated in ATMs of obese adults, potentially reducing obesity.

Conclusions:

  • AKG-type ether lipids in breast milk are essential for healthy adipose tissue development in infants.
  • This mother-to-child lipid signaling pathway offers a protective mechanism against early-onset obesity.
  • Targeting AKG metabolism could represent a novel strategy for obesity prevention and treatment.

Keywords:
Adipose tissueImmunologyMacrophagesMetabolismObesity

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