Leptin enhances the intracellular thyroid hormone activation in skeletal muscle to boost energy balance

Abstract

Thyroid hormones (THs) are key modulators of energy metabolism and cross-talk with other endocrine and metabolic factors. Notably, leptin can increase hypothalamic control of TH synthesis as an adaptive metabolic response regulating body weight. In this study, we found that the TH signal is heightened in overweight humans and is lost with obesity. In mice, systemic and intracerebroventricular leptin injection induces the expression of type 2 deiodinase (D2), the TH-activating enzyme, in skeletal muscle. Mechanistically, leptin enhances the transcription of D2 by a STAT3- and α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH)/cyclic AMP (cAMP)-dependent regulation. Notably, mice lacking D2 or with a mutation in the TH receptor do not exhibit the metabolic effects of leptin, such as increased insulin sensitivity and oxygen consumption, indicating that leptin’s peripheral metabolic effects in skeletal muscle are mediated by TH. These findings underscore the critical role of leptin in integrating the TH-induced metabolic activation, while also contributing to appetite suppression in response to perceived fat stores.