Modulation of immune-response in female aP2-Cre ERalpha-knockout mice due to high-fat diet feeding and high estradiol levels

Previously reported abnormalities in the reproductive-tract of female adipose-tissue-specific (ap2-Cre) ERα-knockout (ERaKO)-mice were linked with a 40% decrease of ERα-gene-expression in the hypothalamus of these animals, when compared to their control-mice (ERα-floxed;WT). Subsequently, ERaKO-mice showed a pronounced upregulation of estradiol (E2)-plasma levels (KO: 45.9 vs. WT: 19.8pg/ml;p < 0.01) resulting from diminished ERα-mediated feedback in the hypothalamus. When fed with high-fat-diet (HFD), KO-mice developed a pronounced inflammation of uteri. To investigate the cause underlying this inflammatory pro…