Overexpression of C-type Natriuretic Peptide in Endothelial Cells Protects against Insulin Resistance and Inflammation during Diet-induced Obesity

The endogenous peptide C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) binds its receptor, guanylyl cyclase B (GCB), and is expressed by endothelial cells in diverse tissues. Because the endothelial cells of visceral adipose tissue have recently been reported to play a role in lipid metabolism and inflammation, we investigated the effects of CNP on features of obesity by using transgenic (Tg) mice in which CNP was placed under the control of the Tie2 promoter and was thus overexpressed in endothelial cells (E-CNP). Here we show that increased brown adipose tissue thermogenesis in E-CNP Tg mice increased energy expenditure, decreased mesenteric white adipose tissue (MesWAT) fat weight and adipocyte hypertrophy, and prevented the development of fatty liver. Furthermore, CNP overexpression improved glucose tolerance, decreased insulin resistance, and inhibited macrophage infiltration in MesWAT, thus suppressing pro-inflammation during high-fat diet–induced obesity. Our findings indicate an important role for the CNP produced by the endothelial cells in the regulation of MesWAT hypertrophy, insulin resistance, and inflammation during high-fat diet–induced obesity.