Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonists reduce lipid accumulation in peripheral tissues, attenuating atherosclerosis and hepatic steatosis in preclinical studies. We examined whether GLP-1R activation decreases atherosclerosis progression in high-fat diet-fed male ApoE(-/-) mice after administration of streptozotocin and treatment with the long-acting GLP-1R agonist taspoglutide administered once monthly vs. metformin in the drinking water for 12 wk. Taspoglutide did not reduce plaque area or lipid content in the aortic arch or abdominal aorta, and no significant change in aortic macrophage accumulation was detected after taspoglutide or metformin. In contrast, hepatic triglyceride levels were significantly reduced in livers from taspoglutide-treated mice. Both peripheral and intracerebroventricular administration of exendin-4 rapidly decreased plasma triglyceride levels in fasted mice, and taspoglutide therapy in ApoE(-/-) mice modulated the expression of hepatic genes controlling fatty acid uptake and oxidation. We were unable to detect expression of the entire Glp1r coding sequence in macrophages isolated from ApoE(-/-), C57BL/6, and IL10(-/-) mice. Similarly, Glp1r mRNA transcripts were not detected in RNA from isolated murine hepatocytes. Using Western blotting and tissue extracts from Glp1r(+/+) and Glp1r(-/-) mice, and cells transfected with a tagged murine GLP-1R cDNA, we could not validate the sensitivity and specificity of three different GLP-1R antisera commonly used for the detection of GLP-1R protein. Taken together, these findings illustrate divergent actions of GLP-1R agonists on atherosclerosis progression and accumulation of ectopic lipid in ApoE(-/-) mice and highlight the importance of indirect GLP-1R actions for the control of hepatic lipid accumulation.

Aims/hypothesis Metformin is widely used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Although it reduces hepatic glucose production, clinical studies show that metformin may reduce plasma dipeptidyl peptidase-4 activity and increase circulating levels of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1). We examined whether metformin exerts glucoregulatory actions via modulation of the incretin axis. Methods Metformin action was assessed in Glp1r

Obesity and diabetes are characterized by increased inflammation reflecting disordered control of innate immunity. We reveal a local intestinal intraepithelial lymphocyte (IEL)-GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) signaling network that controls mucosal immune responses. Glp1r expression was enriched in intestinal IEL preparations and copurified with markers of Tαβ and Tγδ IELs, the two main subsets of intestinal IELs. Exendin-4 increased cAMP accumulation in purified IELs and reduced the production of cytokines from activated IELs but not from splenocytes ex vivo. These actions were mimicked by forskolin, absent in IELs from Glp1r−/− mice, and attenuated by the GLP-1R agonist exendin (9-39) consistent with a GLP-1R–dependent mechanism of action. Furthermore, Glp1r−/− mice exhibited dysregulated intestinal gene expression, an abnormal representation of microbial species in feces, and enhanced sensitivity to intestinal injury following administration of dextran sodium sulfate. Bone marrow transplantation using wild-type C57BL/6 donors normalized expression of multiple genes regulating immune function and epithelial integrity in Glp1r−/− recipient mice, whereas acute exendin-4 administration robustly induced the expression of genes encoding cytokines and chemokines in normal and injured intestine. Taken together, these findings define a local enteroendocrine-IEL axis linking energy availability, host microbial responses, and mucosal integrity to the control of innate immunity.