Blocking soluble TNF decreases diet‐induced hyperglycemia and modulates immune alterations in 5xFAD animal model of Alzheimer’s disease

Abstract Background Regulatory interactions between the gut and the brain are essential for energy homeostasis across systems. Current evidence indicates high‐fat, high‐carbohydrate diets (HFHC) impact Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathophysiology, however, the mechanisms underlying this association are poorly understood. We hypothesize that (1) Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) mediates metabolic inflammation in an obesogenic environment with impacts across the gut‐brain axis and (2) that HFHC interacts with an AD‐relevant genetic background to promote metabolic and immune dysregulation that accelerates pathological and behavioral dysfunction in an animal model of AD. Method To investigate the effects of chronic systemic inflammation on AD‐associated pathology, 2‐month old female 5xFAD mice were fed HFHC or a control diets (CD) for 8 weeks. One month following dietary intervention, the brain‐permeant soluble TNF inhibitor XPro1595 or a brain‐impermeant pan (sol and membrane‐bound) TNF inhibitor Etanercept (Enbrel, Amgen‐Wyeth) or vehicle (saline) were dosed twice weekly for 4 weeks. Behavioral test were performed to assess cognitive parameters. Plasma, brain and gut were collected for evaluation of insulin impairment, metabolic and immune parameters. Cortical tissues were subjected to RNAseq analysis to determine gene pathways modified by interactions between diet, genotype, and TNF inhibition. Result HFHC promoted metabolic syndrome features associated with increases in adiposity, body weight, and plasma glucose, cholesterol, leptin, and insulin. TNF inhibition did not rescue diet‐induced insulin increases, however XPro specifically reduced plasma glucose, while Enbrel increased HOMA‐IR in HFHC‐fed mice. HFHC diet increased circulating IL‐6, CXCL1, CXCL2 and CCL2 and TNF neutralization with either drug decreased IL‐6 in HFHC‐fed groups. In the colon, HFHC diet decreased CCL3 and TNF blockade increased colonic IL‐15 in HFHC‐fed mice. Ongoing behavioral assessment, cortical transcriptional analysis, and hippocampal protein profiles of insulin signaling and inflammatory markers will determine additional effects of TNF and HFHC in the 5XFAD animal model of AD. Conclusion Collectively, these results suggest that TNF modulates systemic metabolic and inflammatory pathways induced by HFHC consumption and associated with neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation. Blocking soluble TNF decreases hyperglycemia triggered during diet‐induce obesity. Future studies focusing on the impact of TNF on energy homeostasis and inflammation will provide targets for new therapeutics against neurological disease.