Endothelial Notch signaling controls insulin transport in muscle

Sana S. Hasan, Markus Jabs, Jacqueline Taylor, Lena Wiedmann, Thomas Leibing, Viola Nordström, Giuseppina Federico, Leticia P. Roma, Christopher Carlein, Gretchen Wolff, Bilgen Ekim-Üstünel, Maik Brune, Iris Moll, Fabian Tetzlaff, Hermann Josef Gröne, Thomas Fleming, Cyrill Géraud, Stephan Herzig, Peter P. Nawroth, Andreas Fischer

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

21 Scopus citations

Abstract

The role of the endothelium is not just limited to acting as an inert barrier for facilitating blood transport. Endothelial cells (ECs), through expression of a repertoire of angiocrine molecules, regulate metabolic demands in an organ-specific manner. Insulin flux across the endothelium to muscle cells is a rate-limiting process influencing insulin-mediated lowering of blood glucose. Here, we demonstrate that Notch signaling in ECs regulates insulin transport to muscle. Notch signaling activity was higher in ECs isolated from obese mice compared to non-obese. Sustained Notch signaling in ECs lowered insulin sensitivity and increased blood glucose levels. On the contrary, EC-specific inhibition of Notch signaling increased insulin sensitivity and improved glucose tolerance and glucose uptake in muscle in a high-fat diet-induced insulin resistance model. This was associated with increased transcription of Cav1, Cav2, and Cavin1, higher number of caveolae in ECs, and insulin uptake rates, as well as increased microvessel density. These data imply that Notch signaling in the endothelium actively controls insulin sensitivity and glucose homeostasis and may therefore represent a therapeutic target for diabetes.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere09271
JournalEMBO Molecular Medicine
Volume12
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 7 Apr 2020
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Notch signaling
  • caveolae
  • endothelial cell
  • insulin transport
  • muscle

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