Serotonin transporter-deficient mice display enhanced adipose tissue inflammation after chronic high-fat diet feeding

Introduction Serotonin is involved in leukocyte recruitment during inflammation. Deficiency of the serotonin transporter (SERT) associated with metabolic changes humans and mice. A possible link interaction between inflammatory effects derangements SERT-deficient mice has not been investigated so far. Methods ( Sert -/- ) wild type (WT) were fed a high-fat diet, starting at 8 weeks age. Metabolic phenotyping (metabolic caging, glucose insulin tolerance testing, body organ weight measurements, qPCR, histology) assessment adipose tissue inflammation (flow cytometry, histology, qPCR) carried out end 19-week diet feeding period. In parallel, WT received control analyzed either time point equivalent to or as early 8-11 age for baseline characterization. Results After 19 displayed similar whole-body fat pad weights despite increased relative gain due lower . obese animals resistance liver steatosis enhanced compared animals. Leukocyte accumulation mRNA expression cytokine signaling mediators epididymal These higher chemokine monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 presence monocytosis blood an proportion pro-inflammatory Ly6C+ monocytes. By contrast, did display Discussion Our observations suggest that SERT deficiency processes manifest upon chronic recruitment.