Pioglitazone alleviates lacrimal gland impairments induced by high-fat diet by suppressing M1 polarization

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A high-fat diet (HFD) contributes to the pathogenesis of various inflammatory and metabolic diseases. Previous research confirms that under HFD conditions, the extraorbital lacrimal glands (ELGs) can be impaired, with significant infiltration of pro-inflammatory macrophages (Mps). However, the relationship between HFD and Mps polarization in the ELGs remains unexplored. We first identified and validated the differential expression of PPAR-γ in murine ELGs fed ND and HFD through RNA sequencing. Tear secretion was measured using the Schirmer test. Lipid droplet deposition within the ELGs was observed through Oil Red O staining and transmission electron microscopy. Mps phenotypes were determined through quantitative RT-PCR, immunofluorescence, and flow cytometric analysis. An in vitro high-fat culture system for Mps was established using palmitic acid (PA), with supernatants collected for co-culture with lacrimal gland acinar cells. Gene expression was determined through ELISA, immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, quantitative RT-PCR, and Western blot analysis. Pioglitazone reduced M1-predominant infiltration induced by HFD by increasing PPAR-γ levels in ELGs, thereby alleviating lipid deposition and enhancing tear secretion. In vitro tests indicated that PPAR-γ agonist shifted Mps from M1-predominant to M2-predominant phenotype in PA-induced Mps, reducing lipid synthesis in LGACs and promoting lipid catabolism, thus alleviating lipid metabolic disorders within ELGs. Conversely, the PPAR-γ antagonist induced opposite effects. In summary, the lacrimal gland is highly sensitive to high-fat and lipid metabolic disorders. Downregulation of PPAR-γ expression in ELGs induces Mps polarization toward predominantly M1 phenotype, leading to lipid metabolic disorder and inflammatory responses via the NF-κb/ERK/JNK/P38 pathway.