Non-Necroptotic Roles of MLKL in Diet-Induced Obesity, Liver Pathology, and Insulin Sensitivity: Insights from a High-Fat, High-Fructose, High-Cholesterol Diet Mouse Model

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Abstract
Chronic inflammation is a key player in metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) progression. Necroptosis, an inflammatory cell death pathway, is elevated in MAFLD patients and mouse models, yet its role is unclear due to the diverse mouse models and inhibition strategies. In our study, we inhibited necroptosis by targeting mixed lineage kinase domain-like pseudokinase (MLKL), the terminal effector of necroptosis, in a high-fat, high-fructose, high-cholesterol (HFHFrHC) mouse model of diet-induced MAFLD. Despite the HFHFrHC diet upregulating MLKL (2.5-fold), WT mice livers showed no increase in necroptosis markers or associated proinflammatory cytokines. Surprisingly, Mlkl−/− mice experienced exacerbated liver inflammation without protection from diet-induced liver damage, steatosis, or fibrosis. In contrast, Mlkl+/− mice showed a significant reduction in these parameters that was associated with elevated Pparα and Pparγ levels. Both Mlkl−/− and Mlkl+/− mice on the HFHFrHC diet resisted diet-induced obesity, attributed to the increased beiging, enhanced oxygen consumption, and energy expenditure due to adipose tissue, and exhibited improved insulin sensitivity. These findings highlight the tissue-specific effects of MLKL on the liver and adipose tissue, and they suggest a dose-dependent effect of MLKL on liver pathology.
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Funding Information
  • NIH (R01AG059718, R03 CA262044, HF21-009, 5R24GM137786, 5P30AG050911, 5P20GM103447)
  • Oklahoma Center for Adult Stem Cell Research Grant (OCASCR) (R01AG059718, R03 CA262044, HF21-009, 5R24GM137786, 5P30AG050911, 5P20GM103447)
  • Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST) (R01AG059718, R03 CA262044, HF21-009, 5R24GM137786, 5P30AG050911, 5P20GM103447)
  • Presbyterian Health Foundation (R01AG059718, R03 CA262044, HF21-009, 5R24GM137786, 5P30AG050911, 5P20GM103447)

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