中国神经再生研究(英文版) ›› 2026, Vol. 21 ›› Issue (7): 2572-2579.doi: 10.4103/NRR.NRR-D-25-00432

• 综述:神经损伤修复保护与再生 • 上一篇    下一篇

棕榈酸诱导自溶酶体功能障碍及在神经炎症和神经变性中的脂毒性

  

  • 出版日期:2026-07-15 发布日期:2025-10-17

Palmitic acid–induced autolysosomal dysfunction and lipotoxicity in neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration

Eka Norfaishanty Saipuljumri1, #, Jialiu Zeng2, 3, #, Chih Hung Lo3, 4, *   

  1. 1 Program in Neuroscience & Cognitive Science, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA;  2 Department of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, USA;  3 Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, USA;  4 Department of Biology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, USA
  • Online:2026-07-15 Published:2025-10-17
  • Contact: Chih Hung Lo, PhD, clo101@syr.edu.
  • Supported by:
    This work was supported by a start-up grant from the Department of Biology at Syracuse University (to CHL), a start-up grant from the Department of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering at Syracuse University (to JZ), and in part by an NIH grant (R01DK141923) sub-contract to Co-Investigators JZ and CHL from the Principal Investigator Mark W. Grinstaff.

摘要: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2717-4484 (Chih Hung Lo)

Abstract: Neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases are increasingly associated with metabolic dysfunction, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease. Central to this connection is the dysregulation of lipid metabolism, which extends beyond peripheral tissues to the brain, defective autolysosomal function, oxidative stress, inflammation, and insulin resistance. Lipids, which constitute over half of dry weight of the brain, play critical roles in energy provision, structural integrity, and synaptic function. Dysregulation of lipid metabolism contributes to neuroinflammation, impaired neuronal function, and disrupted blood–brain barrier integrity. Palmitic acid, a saturated fatty acid abundant in high-fat diets, serves as a key model for studying lipid-induced toxicity (lipotoxicity) in the brain. Palmitic acid disrupts autophagy and lysosomal function, mitochondrial function, triggering oxidative stress, contributing to neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. These effects are particularly pronounced in neurons, which are highly susceptible to lipid-induced toxicity due to their high metabolic demands. Glial cells, including astrocytes, microglia, and oligodendrocytes, also exhibit distinct vulnerabilities and adaptive responses to lipid metabolism dysregulation, further contributing to neuroinflammation and demyelination. Therapeutic strategies, such as supplementation with polyunsaturated fatty acids, AMP-activated protein kinase activation, and lysosome-targeted interventions, show promise in mitigating palmitic acid–induced lipotoxicity and restoring cellular homeostasis. This review comprehensively examines palmitic acid–induced lipotoxicity and its impact on autolysosomal dysfunction across various central nervous system cell types, including neurons, astrocytes, microglia, and oligodendrocytes. Additionally, it highlights therapeutic approaches to restore autolysosomal function under lipotoxic conditions. Advances in multi-omics technologies and a deeper understanding of intercellular crosstalk offer new avenues for developing targeted therapies to restore autolysosomal function, and attenuate neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration.

Key words: autolysosomal dysfunction, lipotoxicity, metabolic dysfunction, neuroinflammation, palmitic acid