Adiponectin inhibits lymphotoxin-β receptor-mediated NF-κB signaling in human umbilical vein endothelial cells

Adiponectin exerts anti-diabetic and anti-atherogenesis properties through its 2 receptors (AdipoR1 and AdipoR2). However, the signaling pathways responsible for the anti-inflammatory effects of adiponectin are largely unknown. In this study, we identified the lymphotoxin (LT)-β receptor (LTBR) as an interacting partner of human AdipoR1 by using a yeast two-hybrid screening. The interaction between LTBR and AdipoR1 was confirmed by co-immunoprecipitation and co-localization analysis. Furthermore, adiponectin incubation inhibited lymphotoxin-induced NF-κB activation and the expression of adhesion molecules in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. These results indicated that AdipoR1 interacted with LTBR and mediated the inhibition of LTBR-activated NF-κB pathway.

Research highlights
► Lymphotoxin (LT)-β receptor (LTBR) was identified as a binding protein of adiponectin receptor 1 (AdipoR1) in a yeast screening.
► The interaction between LTBR and AdipoR1 were confirmed both in vitro and in vivo.
► Adiponectin inhibited NF-κB pathway stimulated by lymphotoxin in human umbilical vein endothelial cells.
► Adiponectin inhibited lymphotoxin-induced expression of adhesion molecules in human umbilical vein endothelial cells.