GIPR Is Predominantly Localized to Nonadipocyte Cell Types Within White Adipose Tissue

Abstract

The incretin hormone glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) augments glucose-dependent insulin secretion through its receptor expressed on islet β-cells. GIP also acts on adipose tissue; yet paradoxically, both enhanced and reduced GIP receptor (GIPR) signaling reduce adipose tissue mass and attenuate weight gain in response to nutrient excess. Moreover, the precise cellular localization of GIPR expression within white adipose tissue (WAT) remains uncertain. We used mouse genetics to target Gipr expression within adipocytes. Surprisingly, targeting Cre expression to adipocytes using the adiponectin (Adipoq) promoter did not produce meaningful reduction of WAT Gipr expression in Adipoq-Cre:Giprflx/flx mice. In contrast, adenoviral expression of Cre under the control of the cytomegalovirus promoter, or transgenic expression of Cre using nonadipocyte-selective promoters (Ap2/Fabp4 and Ubc) markedly attenuated WAT Gipr expression. Analysis of single-nucleus RNA-sequencing, adipose tissue data sets localized Gipr/GIPR expression predominantly to pericytes and mesothelial cells rather than to adipocytes. Together, these observations reveal that adipocytes are not the major GIPR+ cell type within WAT—findings with mechanistic implications for understanding how GIP and GIP-based co-agonists control adipose tissue biology.