Interleukin-6-deficient mice develop mature-onset obesity
Author: ["Ville Wallenius","Kristina Wallenius","Bo Ahrén","Mats Rudling","Hans Carlsten","Suzanne L. Dickson","Claes Ohlsson","John-Olov Jansson"]
Publication: Nature Medicine
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Abstract
The immune-modulating cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) is expressed both in adipose tissue and centrally in hypothalamic nuclei that regulate body composition. We investigated the impact of loss of IL-6 on body composition in mice lacking the gene encoding IL-6 (Il6−/− mice) and found that they developed mature-onset obesity that was partly reversed by IL-6 replacement. The obese Il6−/− mice had disturbed carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, increased leptin levels and decreased responsiveness to leptin treatment. To investigate the possible mechanism and site of action of the anti-obesity effect of IL-6, we injected rats centrally and peripherally with IL-6 at low doses. Intracerebroventricular, but not intraperitoneal IL-6 treatment increased energy expenditure. In conclusion, centrally acting IL-6 exerts anti-obesity effects in rodents.
Cite this article
Wallenius, V., Wallenius, K., Ahrén, B. et al. Interleukin-6-deficient mice develop mature-onset obesity. Nat Med 8, 75–79 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1038/nm0102-75
