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.

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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

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article

Semaglutide attenuates neuroinflammation in male mice

Vivek Das, Dylan M. Rausch, Dorte Holst, Anna Secher et al.
Nature Communications
Diabetes Treatment and Management
article

Semaglutide attenuates neuroinflammation in male mice

Vivek Das, Dylan M. Rausch, Dorte Holst, Anna Secher, Kristoffer Niss, Kristoffer L. Egerod, Myrte Merkestein, Charlotte T. Hansen, Kevin Dalgaard, Anne-Mette Bjerregaard, Tune H. Pers, S. Sherona Bau, Mette Q. Ludwig, Franziska Wichern, Jaime Moreno, Stine N. Hansen, LOTTE BJERRE KNUDSEN, Charles Pyke, Marie A. Bentsen, Joseph Polex-Wolf
article en

Abstract

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.

Nature Communications
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)
Foundation for the National Institutes of Health, Lundbeckfonden, Danmarks Frie Forskningsfond, Novo Nordisk Fonden
Good health and well-being
Openalex Percentile: Top 7%
Diabetes Treatment and Management
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