Semaglutide attenuates neuroinflammation in male mice
Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) have shown promise in preclinical models of neurodegeneration, with emerging evidence suggesting these effects may be driven by modulation of neuroinflammation. However, the cellular mechanisms underlying GLP-1RA effects on neuroinflammation remain poorly understood. Here we show, using a mouse model of lipopolysaccharide-induced neuroinflammation, how semaglutide coordinates cellular responses to resolve neuroinflammation. We find that semaglutide in male mice prevents brain infiltration of neutrophils, excessive cytokine release, and suppresses neuroinflammation-associated transcriptional signatures specifically in microglia, endothelial cells, and a subset of pericytes. Mechanistically, we identify a subset of Glp1r-expressing neurons in the dorsal vagal complex that, upon semaglutide treatment, regulate genes involved in anti-inflammatory signaling. Semaglutide-modulated pathways overlap with inflammatory signatures found in human neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, suggesting broad relevance for conditions involving neuroinflammation. Together, these findings reveal how GLP-1R signaling in male mice orchestrates resolution of neuroinflammation through coordinated multi-cellular programs.
Authors
- Vivek Das (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0614-0373)
- Dylan M. Rausch (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6095-4891)
- Dorte Holst (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0003-2777-6845)
- Anna Secher (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6276-5389)
- Kristoffer Niss (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5910-1525)
- Kristoffer L. Egerod (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2781-1594)
- Myrte Merkestein
- Charlotte T. Hansen
- Kevin Dalgaard
- Anne-Mette Bjerregaard (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1831-6746)
- Tune H. Pers (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0207-4831)
- S. Sherona Bau (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2873-7974)
- Mette Q. Ludwig (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7814-3859)
- Franziska Wichern
- Jaime Moreno (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0006-6173-8879)
- Stine N. Hansen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0270-141X)
- LOTTE BJERRE KNUDSEN
- Charles Pyke
- Marie A. Bentsen
- Joseph Polex-Wolf
Institutions
- Broad Institute (US)
- University of Copenhagen (DK)
- Novo Nordisk (Denmark) (DK)
- Novo Nordisk Foundation (DK)
- Foundation Center (US)
- Novo Nordisk (United States) (US)
- Gubra (Denmark) (DK)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Nature Communications
- Published
- 2026-06-09
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-74038-4
- Primary Topic
- Diabetes Treatment and Management
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- Foundation for the National Institutes of Health
- Lundbeckfonden
- Danmarks Frie Forskningsfond
- Novo Nordisk Fonden