Inflammation is an immune response protecting us from infection and injury. However, unchecked or improperly activated inflammation can result in chronic diseases such as arthritis, cardiovascular diseases and insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is a metabolic condition in which tissues no longer respond to insulin. A major function of insulin is to lower blood glucose levels by promoting glucose uptake into peripheral tissues including skeletal muscles and adipocytes. Insulin-stimulated glucose uptake is mediated by GLUT4, a facilitative glucose transporter enriched in insulin-responsive tissues. Under basal conditions, GLUT4 is sequestered in intracellular storage vesicles. Upon insulin stimulation, GLUT4 is relocated from intracellular vesicles to the cell surface where it facilitates the uptake of excess blood glucose into the cells for disposal. Defects in GLUT4 exocytosis disrupt blood glucose balance and are a hallmark of insulin resistance. Commonly associated with obesity, insulin resistance is a characteristic feature of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Laboratory and clinical studies have established that inflammation plays a central role in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance. In particular, the two proinflammatory cytokines interleukin 1? (IL-1?) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF?) directly interfere with insulin responses in adipocytes, hepatocytes and skeletal muscles. While the connection of proinflammatory cytokines to insulin resistance is well established, the molecular mechanisms of cytokine-induced insulin resistance remains poorly understood. The major goal of this exploratory project is to help bridge this gap by globally identifying mediators of cytokine-induced insulin resistance, using insulin-dependent GLUT4 exocytosis as a model system. In this work, we will first determine whether and how GLUT4 trafficking regulators are impaired by IL-1? and TNF?. We will also perform new unbiased genome-wide genetic screens to identify suppressors of cytokine-induced impairment in GLUT4 exocytosis. These exploratory studies will pave the path for a full understanding of cytokine-associated insulin resistance and will likely identify novel therapeutic targets for treating insulin resistance and T2D. This work will also serve as a springboard to understanding other functions of proinflammatory cytokines in the immune system.
Inflammation is an immune response protecting us from infection and injury but improperly activated inflammation can lead to human diseases. Our studies will shed light on proinflammatory cytokine-associated insulin resistance and will likely identify novel targets for therapeutic intervention. This work will also serve as a springboard to understanding other functions of proinflammatory cytokines in the immune system.
