A systemic role of macrophage-derived BMP2/4 homolog Dpp in controlling sterol hormone synthesis under dietary stress

Unfortunately, children consuming diets rich in sugar are prone to developing insulin resistance, chronic low-grade inflammation, and delayed developmental transitions, such as puberty, which collectively lead to adverse systemic outcomes. In metazoans, these critical developmental transitions are tightly regulated by steroid hormones.

These deleterious effects underscore the vital role of nutritional sensing organs in orchestrating inter-organ communication, which is indispensable for maintaining physiological and metabolic homeostasis. For instance, macrophages are capable of detecting metabolic perturbations and subsequently secreting growth factors to restore equilibrium. Whereas macrophages have been shown to modulate steroid hormone synthesis in Drosophila melanogaster under conditions of inanition, it remains unclear whether high-sugar diets (HSDs) influence macrophage behavior and steroid hormone synthesis.