Membrane Metallo-Endopeptidase (Neprilysin) Regulates Inflammatory Response and Insulin Signaling in White Preadipocytes (Microarray Expression)

Accumulation of subcutaneous white adipose tissue (WAT) is associated with increased insulin sensitivity, low levels of inflammation and a generally metabolically-healthy state, whereas accumulation of visceral adipose tissue is associated with insulin resistance, adipose tissue inflammation and metabolic syndrome. Membrane Metallo-Endopeptidase (MME/Neprislyin) is an extracellular, membrane-bound protease enriched in subcutaneous WAT that can target degradation of a variety of peptides, including insulin, IL6, and β-amyloids. Here, we show that MME in white preadipocytes is differently expressed in subcutaneous vs visceral WAT, and favors insulin signaling and a low inflammatory response. Thus, knockdown of MME in preadipocytes increases the inflammatory response to substance P and amyloidβ aggregates. This is associated with increased basal insulin signaling and decreased insulin-stimulated signaling. Moreover, MME differentially regulates the internalization and turnover of the α/β subunits of the insulin receptor. Thus, MME is a novel regulator of the insulin receptor in adipose tissue and may serve as a therapeutic target to increase insulin sensitivity and decrease inflammatory susceptibility. FACS Isolated preaadipocytes from subcutaneous and perigonadal (intraabdominal) adipose tissue of mice were used for RNA extraction and hybridization on Affymetrix microarrays.