GPR182 is a lipoprotein receptor for dietary fat absorption

The lymphatic system plays a central role in lipid absorption by transporting triglyceride-rich particles called chylomicrons (CMs) from the small intestine to the systemic circulation. However, the molecular mechanism by which CMs get into the intestinal lymphatics is unknown. Here, we demonstrated that GPR182, an atypical chemokine receptor in lymphatic endothelial cells, mediates dietary fat absorption. GPR182-KO mice exhibited a selective increase in circulating high-density lipoproteins and are resistant to diet-induced obesity. GPR182 ablation in mice led to poor lipid absorption and thereby a delay in growth during development. GPR182 broadly interacted with and transported lipoproteins. Transmission electron microscopy analysis revealed that, mechanistically, loss of GPR182 prevented CMs from entering the lacteal lumen of the small intestine. Consistent with this, GPR182 blockade with mAbs protected mice from diet-induced obesity and treated existing obesity. Together, our study identifies GPR182 as a lipoprotein receptor that mediates dietary fat absorption and supports GPR182 blockade as a feasible approach to treating obesity and related disorders.