Netrin-1 disrupt high-fat-diet-induced adipogenesis via the PPARγ and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways

The present study reports a detrimental role of adipose-derived Netrin-1 in adipose remodeling. Following an 8-week high-fat feeding period of male transgenic mice lacking adipose Netrin-1 expression (Ntn1^AKO), improved metabolic parameters were observed, accompanied by systemic weight gain and increased inguinal white adipose tissue (WAT) mass. The Ntn1^AKO preadipocytes exhibit increased cell proliferation with decreased collagen deposition. WAT Netrin-1 overexpression using adeno-associated virus (with an aP2 promoter) results in impaired glucose tolerance in both high fat and normal chow-fed mice. Netrin-1 overexpression attenuates adipogenesis via inhibition of the PPARγ activity and activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Moreover, Netrin-1 is directly responsive to the hypoxic regulator HIF-1α in both adipocytes and preadipocytes. The present study suggests that Netrin-1 disrupts adipogenesis and adipocyte function by inhibiting compensatory adipose remodeling during excessive calorie intake and may be considered a potential therapeutic target for high fat diet-induced obesity and type 2 diabetes.