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ADIPOSE TISSUE BIOLOGY

Fixing lymphatics improves glucose metabolism

Nature Metabolism volume 3, pages 1139–1141 (2021)Cite this article

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When the ability of lymphatic vessels to transport fluid and macromolecules is perturbed, local adipose tissue often expands. Cao et al. identify destabilized, leaky mesenteric lymphatic vessels in obesity and demonstrate that correcting this dysfunction with a lymphatic-targeting drug improves systemic glucose metabolism.

Inflammation decreases the ability of obese adipose tissue to safely sequester excess calories. Dysregulated lipolysis, immune-cell accumulation and expression of proinflammatory cytokines make the adipose tissue a source of systemic inflammation and a driver of metabolic syndrome1. A multitude of studies have targeted various cytokines and immune-cell populations, demonstrating that if adipose inflammation is decreased, systemic glucose homeostasis can be improved. One system that has been less appreciated in adipose pathophysiology, despite its critical roles in regulating inflammation, is the lymphatic vasculature.

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Fig. 1: Mesenteric lymphatic integrity affects visceral adipose metabolism.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical Physiology, Division of Lymphatic Biology, Texas A&M University College of Medicine, Bryan, TX, USA

    Joseph M. Rutkowski

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  1. Joseph M. Rutkowski
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Correspondence to Joseph M. Rutkowski.

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The author declares no competing interests.

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Rutkowski, J.M. Fixing lymphatics improves glucose metabolism. Nat Metab 3, 1139–1141 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s42255-021-00442-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s42255-021-00442-3

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