Central hormone-sensitive lipase is located at synapses and is necessary for normal memory performance in mice

Abstract Hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) is mainly present in the adipose tissue where it hydrolyses diacylglycerol. Although brain expression of HSL has been reported, its presence in different cellular compartments is uncertain, and its role in regulating brain lipid metabolism remains hitherto unexplored. We propose that HSL has a role in regulating the availability of bioactive lipids necessary for adequate neuronal function. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that dampening HSL activity leads to brain dysfunction. We found HSL protein and activity throughout all the mouse brain, localised in neurons and especially enriched in synapses. HSL null mice were then analysed using a battery of behavioural tests. Relative to wild-type littermates, HSL null mice showed impaired short- and long-term memory, but preserved exploratory behaviours. Molecular analysis of the cortex and hippocampus showed increased expression of genes involved in glucose utilization in the hippocampus but not cortex of HSL null mice compared to controls. Lipidomics analyses indicated an impact of HSL deletion on the profile of bioactive lipids, including endocannabinoids and eicosanoids that are known to modulate neuronal activity, cerebral blood blow and inflammation processes. Accordingly, mild increases in expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines suggest low grade inflammation in HSL null mice compared to littermates. We conclude that HSL has a homeostatic role in maintaining pools of lipids that are needed for brain function. It remains to be tested, however, whether the recruitment of HSL for the synthesis of these lipids occurs during increased neuronal activity, or whether HSL participates in neuroinflammatory responses.