Nuclear receptor-driven immunometabolic crosstalk: immune-centric pharmacology targeting the inflamed nexus

Chronic low-grade inflammation (metaflammation) constitutes a shared pathological nexus in obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). While current therapies primarily alleviate metabolic symptoms, they often neglect underlying immune dysregulation orchestrated by nuclear receptors (NRs). This review proposes immune-centric pharmacology, a paradigm directly targeting immunocytes (e.g., macrophages, T cells) through spatiotemporal modulation of NR-mediated immunometabolic crosstalk (e.g., PPARγ/δ, FXR, LXRs) to disrupt inflammation-perpetuating microenvironments. We emphasized NRs as main regulatory factors of immunophenotypic reprogramming, spanning the interactions of fat, liver, and intestinal immunity, and comprehensively summarized the multicellular structure of “inflamed nexus.” We gradually expand our discussion from the following three aspects: immune reprogramming targeting nr by novel biological agents (for example, TREM2 agonists activating PPARγ); advanced transmission systems enable tissue-specific NR regulation.; and the immunomodulatory mechanism of metabolic drugs utilizing the NR-immune axis. Current findings indicate that focused immunomodulation achieves via NR-guided immune-centric pharmacology represents a transformative framework for next-generation metabolic disease management, bridging pharmacological innovation with therapeutic translation.

Highlights

• Propose immune-centric pharmacology and spatiotemporally target NRs to reprogram immunocytes.

• Reveal TREM2-PPARδ axis as a druggable switch.

• Develop tissue-specific NRs to overcome systemic toxicity.

• Repurpose metabolic drugs via NR-immunomodulation.

1 Introduction

In recent years, rising affluence and associated lifestyle shifts have precipitated a sharp global increase in the incidence of metabolic disorders. The escalating burden of obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) continues to escalate, underscoring the limitations of conventional metabolic management (Misra et al., 2023). A paradigm-shifting insight over the past decades reveals that chronic low-grade inflammation (metaflammation) is not merely a consequence but a fundamental driver of these conditions, orchestrated by dysregulated nuclear receptor (NR) networks governing immunometabolic crosstalk (Prattichizzo et al., 2018; Guan et al., 2022). Immunometabolic crosstalk refers to the complex and bidirectional interaction between the immune system and cellular metabolism. It describes how metabolic states affect the function of immune cells and how immune responses reprogram metabolism throughout the body and within cells. Epidemiological evidence links systemic inflammation to metabolic dysregulation, while NR-dependent mediators (e.g., PPARγ-modulated adipokines, FXR-bile acid axis) and immune cell signatures (e.g., TREM2+ macrophages) underpin tissue-specific immunopathology (Guan et al., 2022; Pepys and Hirschfield, 2003; Chiavaroli et al., 2021; Tan et al., 2023). Metaflammation creates self-sustaining pathological niches in adipose tissue, liver, and gut, where maladaptive immune-parenchymal crosstalk directed by NRs like liver X receptors (LXRs) and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) fuels insulin resistance, lipotoxicity, and fibrosis (Gao et al., 2022).

Despite recognizing inflammation’s centrality, current first-line metabolic therapies often inadequately address core pathology due to neglect of NR-immunocyte circuits. Metformin shows minimal efficacy in reversing PPARγ-dependent macrophage polarization. Insulin may disrupt the transinhibition of glucocorticoid receptors, thereby exacerbating inflammation. Statins exhibit dissociation from immunomodulation due to incomplete LXR agonism in Kupffer cells (Foretz et al., 2023; Sakai et al., 2019; Kheirollahi et al., 2019; Ikonomopoulou et al., 2021; Endo-Umeda et al., 2018). Consequently, these agents manage symptoms without fundamentally disrupting NR-guided inflammatory circuits, perpetuating therapeutic escape.

Immune-Centric pharmacology is an emerging paradigm in pharmacological research and drug development. It attaches the immune system as main target and central regulator of therapeutic intervention. This critical therapeutic gap necessitates NR-driven immune-centric pharmacology, defined as “therapeutic strategies exploiting nuclear receptors to directly reprogram immunocytes and dismantle pathological inflammatory microenvironments, with consequent metabolic improvements emerging as secondary outcomes.” Unlike conventional drugs targeting metabolic pathways downstream of inflammation, immune-centric pharmacology proactively intervenes at the immunological epicenter through synergistic strategies. Firstly, the precision immune reprogramming via NR-targeted biologics. Secondly, the utilization of advanced spatiotemporal delivery systems enabling tissue-specific NR modulation (Panzitt and Wagner, 2021; Teodoro et al., 2011). Thirdly, the systematic re-evaluation of existing or emerging metabolic drugs for NR-dependent immunomodulatory mechanisms (Chen et al., 2017). These multifaceted strategies aim to disrupt pathological circuits at their source. This review synthesizes evidence for NR-guided immune-centric pharmacology as a transformative framework to achieve durable disease modification to alleviate or even dismantle the “inflamed nexus” at its source.

2 The NR-mediated immunometabloic and inflammatory circuits

2.1 Nuclear receptors as central hubs of metaflammation

Chronic metabolic inflammation, a hallmark of obesity-associated disorders, exhibits distinctly spatial organized dysregulation governed by nuclear receptors. This process strategically localizes within specialized tissue niches, notably visceral adipose depots, pancreatic islets, and hepatic sinusoids, in which nuclear receptors serve as master regulators of immunometabolic crosstalk. Within these distinct anatomical niches, nuclear receptors drive disease progression through three interconnected mechanisms. They orchestrate transcriptional reprogramming, interpret local metabolic signals, and guide lasting epigenomic changes. Dysregulated signaling among immune and stromal cells establishes self-sustaining inflammatory circuits through nuclear receptor-dependent mechanisms. This process, marked by aberrant cytokine secretion and ectopic lymphoid structures, perpetuates a chronic inflammatory state that drives both local tissue and systemic metabolic dysfunction. These hubs represent critical sites where immune-metabolic crosstalk fails, thereby sustaining a pathological feedback loop (Wu et al., 2023). Three key molecular mechanisms sustain this pathological state: PPARγ promoter hypermethylation perpetuates adipocyte insulin resistance; FXR SUMOylation impairs macrophage efferocytosis in NASH; and LXR phosphorylation (S196) sustains inflammasome activation (Deczkowska et al., 2020; Jaitin et al., 2019; Zhang et al., 2021; Zhang et al., 2023). These nuclear receptor-mediated mechanisms explain the limited efficacy of conventional anti-inflammatory therapies against metaflammation, highlighting NRs as promising therapeutic targets for sustained disease modification. Three key hubs illustrate this paradigm.

2.1.1 Adipose tissue remodeling: PPARγ dysregulation fuels inflammatory circuits

Chronic energy surplus promotes white adipose tissue (WAT) expansion through adipocyte hypertrophy and hyperplasia, initiating tissue inflammation and dysfunction via suppression of PPARγ-regulated pathways. An early key event is hypoxia resulting from inadequate angiogenesis during adipose expansion. This hypoxic environment stabilizes HIF-1α which activates pro-inflammatory pathways and simultaneously suppresses PPARγ activity, which is a key regulator of macrophage polarization (Lee et al., 2013; Yamaguchi et al., 2017; Wen and Lee, 2015; Feng et al., 2020). Hypertrophied adipocytes release chemokines like CCL2/MCP-1 and saturated free fatty acids (e.g., palmitate) under metabolic stress. These signals activate TLR4 on resident adipose macrophages and establish a chemokine gradient that recruits circulating monocytes via CCR2-CCL2 pathways. Infiltrating monocytes differentiate into macrophages and form crown-like structures around damaged adipocytes, a process intensified by PPARγ deficiency (De Jesus Simao et al., 2024; Kanda et al., 2006).

While PPARγ in macrophages is well recognized for its role in governing polarization toward the anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype, the PPARγ signaling axis within adipocytes themselves also exerts a non-negligible impact on the local inflammatory microenvironment of WAT. Functional PPARγ in adipocytes is essential for maintaining adipocyte homeostasis, as it directly modulates the expression of genes involved in lipid storage and adipokine secretion. Under conditions of PPARγ impairment in adipocytes, there is a shift toward the secretion of pro-inflammatory adipokines alongside a reduction in anti-inflammatory adipokines such as adiponectin. Adiponectin acts through its receptors AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 on macrophages and endothelial cells to inhibit NF-κB-mediated pro-inflammatory cytokine production and enhance endothelial barrier function; the decline in adiponectin secretion caused by adipocyte PPARγ dysfunction thus removes a critical anti-inflammatory brake in WAT. Moreover, adipocyte PPARγ directly represses the transcription of genes encoding pro-inflammatory mediators (e.g., TNF-α and IL-6) in adipocytes themselves, and its downregulation leads to autonomous pro-inflammatory cytokine release from adipocytes that synergizes with macrophage-derived cytokines to amplify local inflammation. Additionally, adipocyte PPARγ deficiency disrupts lipid handling within WAT, promoting ectopic lipid deposition in adjacent stromal cells and further exacerbating the pro-inflammatory milieu by inducing lipotoxicity in non-adipocyte cell populations of the adipose tissue. PPARγ dysfunction amplifies cytokine production across WAT cellular compartments. Macrophages within CLS release excessive TNF-α and IL-6 which promote adipocyte insulin resistance through complementary mechanisms that TNF-α activates the JNK/TAB1 pathway inducing inhibitory serine phosphorylation of IRS-1, while IL-6 upregulates SOCS3, leading to ubiquitin-mediated degradation of insulin signaling components (Akieda-Asai et al., 2024). Together, these responses form a self-sustaining inflammatory loop. Subsequent insulin resistance and lipolysis increase saturated free fatty acids (FFAs) in the microenvironment, which reactivate macrophage inflammation through TLR4 signaling and enhance monocyte recruitment via endothelial activation (Hu et al., 2020). This vicious cycle promotes nuclear receptor-centered pathogenesis, featured by DNMT3a-mediated PPARγ promoter hypermethylation and exosomal miR-34a transfer from senescent adipocytes to macrophages, which collectively suppress PPARγ-driven M2 polarization (Pasupuleti et al., 2023; Yan et al., 2016; Kauppinen et al., 2013).

These changes persist long-term in adipose tissue, and PPARγ epigenetic silencing maintains inflammation and metabolic dysfunction even after weight loss highlighting its therapeutic relevance for sustained tissue remodeling. WAT-derived inflammatory signals and FFAs also systemically impair other metabolic organs, including the liver and pancreatic islets.

2.1.2 TREM2-PPARδ crosstalk in pancreatic islets immunopathology

Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) is an immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM)-coupled receptor predominantly expressed on macrophages and microglia. It is highly upregulated in lipid-associated macrophages in obese and insulin-resistant individuals. TREM2 binds anionic ligands, such as lipopolysaccharide, phospholipids, and amyloid proteins to initiate intracellular signaling (Zhong et al., 2024; Wang et al., 2020). Under physiological conditions, adipose-resident TREM2-expressing macrophages orchestrate lipid homeostasis through phagocytic clearance of lipotoxic material within CLS, reinforced by Wnt/β-catenin-mediated anti-inflammatory signaling that suppresses NF-κB activation and enhances cellular survival programs (Zheng et al., 2017; Kang et al., 2025). Wnt/β-catenin signaling enhances the phagocytic clearance of lipotoxic debris by promoting PPARδ-dependent fatty acid oxidation and inhibiting NF-κB. Under diabetic conditions islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) oligomers activate macrophage TREM2 signaling, initiating SYK (spleen tyrosine kinase)-dependent mitochondrial fission and oxidative stress (Wang et al., 2022a). In T2DM, preclinical evidence suggests that this sustained TREM2/SYK signaling may contribute to aberrant mitochondrial dynamics, particularly excessive fission mediated by Drp1(Dynamin-Related Protein 1), which is increasingly recognized as a feature of metabolic dysfunction. IAPP aggregated pathologically activate TREM2, triggering sustained SYK signaling that drives Drp1-mediated mitochondrial fragmentation. This disrupts mitochondrial function and impairs PPARδ activity, a key regulator of lipid catabolism. Consequent PPARδ dysfunction manifests as significantly impaired fatty acid oxidation and lipid utilization. This metabolic dysregulation creates a permissive environment for chronic, low-grade inflammation, characterized by inflammasome hyperactivity and elevated IL-1β levels. Intriguingly, reports also indicate the involvement of non-canonical inflammasome pathways contributing to IL-1β maturation in metabolic contexts, potentially acting independently or synergistically with canonical NLRP3 activation. Furthermore, within pancreatic β-cells, the convergence of metabolic stress, inflammation, and potentially disrupted nuclear receptor signaling (including PPARδ) is associated with epigenetic modifications leading to the silencing of insulin genes. While PPARδ has been shown to influence β-cell function and insulin secretion, the specific mechanistic link involving diminished PPARδ chromatin occupancy directly at insulin gene promoters remains an active area of investigation (Lee et al., 2023; Zheng et al., 2021; Zhang et al., 2025; Tanaka et al., 2022). Monocyte recruitment influences T2DM progression through PPARδ-dependent mechanisms. CCR2⁺ inflammatory monocytes are recruited via CCL2 signaling into pancreatic islets, where they amplify inflammation and suppress PPARδ activity in local β-cells and macrophages impairing lipid metabolism and anti-inflammatory responses. Conversely, CX3CR1⁺ patrolling monocytes, which normally support tissue resolution via PPARδ-mediated programs undergo functional impairment under diabetic conditions. Sustained TREM2 activation and metabolic stress disrupt PPARδ signaling in these cells, promoting a pro-inflammatory phenotype marked by p38 MAPK hyperactivation and reduced regulatory extracellular vesicle release. Thus, PPARδ dysfunction serves as a central node linking monocyte heterogeneity to islet inflammation and β-cell failure in T2DM (Colonna and Holtzman, 2025; Wang et al., 2021; Yesian et al., 2025). The dysfunctional TREM2-PPARδ axis drives immunometabolic dysregulation requiring stage-specific therapeutic strategies. In early disease, TREM2 agonism enhances amyloid clearance and promotes PPARδ-dependent anti-inflammatory polarization to restore metabolic homeostasis. In advanced stages with prevailing mitochondrial dysfunction and PPARδ impairment TREM2 antagonism is required to break the cycle of amyloid-induced stress and inflammation. Additional approaches include nanocarrier-delivered PPARδ agonists or miRNAs targeting the TREM2-PPARδ mitochondrial fission pathway. Such targeted strategies may overcome the limitations of conventional incretin therapies in islet amyloidosis enables immunomodulation of the TREM2-PPARδ switch (Fyfe et al., 2023; Pan et al., 2019; Wang et al., 2022b).

While the TREM2–PPARδ axis plays a central role in islet immunopathology associated with T2DM, its involvement and functional outcome vary considerably across other islet-inflammatory disorders.

In type 1 diabetes, where autoimmune-mediated β-cell destruction predominates, TREM2-expressing macrophages are implicated in the clearance of apoptotic β-cell debris. However, persistent immune activation may shift TREM2 signaling toward a pro-inflammatory phenotype, potentially dampening PPARδ-dependent resolution pathways. Experimental models indicate that PPARδ agonists can attenuate insulitis and preserve β-cell mass, but whether modulation of TREM2 enhances this effect remains to be established.

In metabolic-stress-induced islet inflammation, TREM2 may initially facilitate lipid clearance, whereas chronic activation leads to PPARδ suppression and inflammasome hyper-activation.

Emerging observations in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) suggest alterations in placental and islet macrophage profiles. Preliminary evidence points to a potential disruption of TREM2–PPARδ crosstalk that could participate in transient insulin resistance and β-cell dysfunction, although mechanistic studies in GDM are still scarce (Milan et al., 2025a).

The functional interaction between TREM2 and PPARδ indicates that their coordinated regulation may be more effective than single-target therapies, especially when phagocytosis clearance and metabolic reprogramming are impaired. Mechanistically, the activation of TREM2 enhances the phagocytic function and lipid uptake of macrophages, while PPARδ promotes fatty acid oxidation and mitochondrial integrity. However, the optimal timing, dosage, and disease context for such combination therapies still require systematic research.

2.1.3 Liver: FXR/LXR-guided Kupffer cell dynamics in NAFLD/NASH

Kupffer cells (KCs), the liver-resident macrophages, orchestrate tissue homeostasis under physiological conditions through FXR and LXR-mediated transcriptional programs. During NAFLD progression, lipid-induced hepatocyte apoptosis releases sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), activating S1PR1 on recruited macrophages to upregulate TREM2 expression—a process potentiated by LXRα-dependent cholesterol efflux (Hou et al., 2020; Hu et al., 2019). TREM2+ macrophages execute nuclear receptor (NR)-coordinated metabolic functions: on one hand, they enhance efferocytosis of apoptotic cells via FXR, involving Rab5-GTPase-mediated vesicular trafficking; simultaneously, they drive fatty acid oxidation through LXRβ, relying on PPARδ co-activation; in addition, they suppress pro-inflammatory cytokine production via TREM2-TLR4 transrepression. Collectively, these functions attenuate hepatic steatosis (Wang et al., 2023). Conversely, gut-derived endotoxins activate TLR4-NF-κB signaling, which induces ADAM-mediated TREM2 cleavage while promoting TREM1 transcription. This pathogenic switch disrupts hepatic homeostasis through a cascade of events: by diminishing FXR-TREM2 coupling, it impairs lipid clearance; furthermore, through amplification of LXR-suppressed TREM1 cascades, it drives Kupffer cell depletion; and ultimately, via activation of stellate cells, it accelerates TGF-β-mediated fibrosis (Wang et al., 2023; Schlepckow et al., 2017; Calkin and Tontonoz, 2012). Therapeutically, NR targeted strategies correct this imbalance through coordinated interventions. Specifically, galectin-3 inhibitors preserve FXR activity by blocking TLR4 dimerization, thereby attenuating TREM1-driven inflammation; simultaneously, S1PR1 agonists enhance lipid metabolism through activation of the LXRα-TREM2 axis; while obeticholic acid (an FXR agonist) directly upregulates TREM2 expression to restore efferocytosis capacity. More importantly, combinatorial NR modulation—such as co-administration of an FXR agonist with an LXR partial agonist—synchronizes gut-liver immunity, thus reversing fibro-inflammatory cascades (Xie et al., 2023; Feng et al., 2018; Mackinnon et al., 2023; Wang et al., 2024; Potì et al., 2024) (Figure 1).

Figure 1

Figure 1. Overview of NR-driven immunometabolic circuits in adipose tissue, liver, and pancreatic islets. Key molecular players discussed throughout the manuscript are highlighted in bold. In the hepatic niche, lipid overload induces hepatocyte apoptosis, releasing sphingosine-1-phosphate. Impaired FXR/LXRα signaling reduces Kupffer cell efferocytosis, while endotoxin-activated TLR4 promotes ADAM-mediated TREM2 cleavage and TREM1-driven fibrogenesis. In the adipose tissue niche, hypertrophic adipocytes exhibit PPARγ promoter methylation, triggering CCL2-mediated monocyte recruitment. Crown-like structures of macrophages release TNF-α and IL-6, inducing adipocyte insulin resistance through IRS-1 serine phosphorylation and SOCS3 degradation. Free fatty acids reactivate TLR4 on macrophages, perpetuating a vicious cycle. In the islet niche, macrophage TREM2 hyperactivation by islet amyloid polypeptide oligomers drives SYK-dependent Drp1 phosphorylation, causing mitochondrial fission. This disrupts PPARδ nuclear translocation, impairing lipid oxidation and activating NLRP3 inflammasomes that suppress insulin genes in β-cells.

2.2 NRs as master signaling integrators in metaflammation

Targeting metabolic inflammation represents an effective therapeutic strategy for metabolic diseases. Metaflammation is orchestrated through evolutionarily conserved signaling hubs that transduce nutrient stress into immune dysregulation.

2.2.1 NLRP3 inflammasome: transcriptional control by PPARγ and LXRs

Activation of NLRP3 leads to excessive secretion of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, with three pivotal axes exhibiting broad therapeutic relevance (Olona et al., 2022). Metaflammation transduces nutrient stress into immune dysregulation through conserved hubs, with NLRP3 inflammasome activation serving as a pivotal axis. Wu et al. demonstrated that duodenojejunal bypass surgery in T2DM rats markedly improved glycemic and lipid profiles, upregulated glucokinase and GLUT2 expression, and significantly suppressed both mRNA and protein levels of the NLRP3 inflammasome (Wu et al., 2018). This further improves β-cell dysfunction and glucose tolerance; Further research has shown that knocking out the NLRP3 inflammasome in macrophages of T2DM rats can produce similar effects. Studies found that in knockout mice with genes such as NLRP3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein (ASC) and caspase-1, palmitate activation of NLRP3 inflammasome would produce a large amount of active IL-1β and IL-18, thereby interfering with the insulin signaling pathway (Zheng et al., 2023; Zou et al., 2025). TXNIP, a protein associated with insulin resistance, contributes to NLRP3 inflammasome activation in hepatocytes. Silencing TXNIP completely blocks fructose-induced upregulation of NLRP3, ASC, and caspase-1 activation, but does not affect ROS generation. Conversely, inhibiting ROS production reduces TXNIP expression and decreases IL-1β and IL-18 levels (Zhang et al., 2024). NLRP3 inflammasome integrates diverse metabolic stressors, including cholesterol crystals, saturated fatty acids, and hyperglycemia induced TXNIP upregulation. PPARγ and LXRs regulate NLRP3 through distinct transcriptional mechanisms. PPARγ directly represses NLRP3 promoter activity and counters crystal- and lipid-induced oligomerization while LXRs inhibit TXNIP expression by downregulating METTL3, thereby reversing m⁶A-mediated TXNIP mRNA stabilization. Activation of the NLRP3-ASC-caspase1 cascade promotes IL-1β maturation which exacerbates systemic insulin resistance through JNK/IKKβ-mediated inhibitory phosphorylation of IRS-1. PPARγ agonists such as pioglitazone show superior efficacy over direct NLRP3 inhibitors by concurrently ameliorating insulin resistance via the PPARγ-IRS1 axis. Emerging METTL3 inhibitors (e.g., STM2457) suppress inflammasome activation and attenuate NAFLD-HCC progression via m⁶A-dependent silencing of oncogenes. Moreover, METTL3 ablation synergizes with immune checkpoint blockade by enhancing CD8⁺ T cell infiltration and antigen presentation, improving immunotherapy responses in NAFLD-HCC models and offering dual therapeutic benefits against metabolic inflammation (Milan et al., 2025b; Pan et al., 2023; Gao et al., 2023).

2.2.2 cGAS-STING pathway: LXRs preserve mitochondrial integrity

The cGAS-STING pathway emerges as a critical inflammatory nexus, activated by cytosolic mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) leakage resulting from oxidative damage. cGAS is mainly expressed in the cell nucleus and strictly bound to chromatin to prevent binding with nuclear DNA. Cytosolic mtDNA engages cGAS, synthesizing 2′,3′-cGAMP to stimulate STING protein. STING then recruits TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1), phosphorylating interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) to drive type I interferon (IFN-α/β) production (Decout et al., 2021). Previous research showed that IFNs trigger adipocyte senescence via p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation, which is characterized by senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) activity (Coppe et al., 2010). Cytosolic mtDNA leakage activates cGAS-STING signaling, driving IFN-α/β production. The specific mechanism by which liverX receptors regulate mtDNA integrity involves multiple approaches to enhance mitochondrial stability. LXR activation transcriptionally upregulates UCP2 (Uncoupling Protein 2), which dissipates the mitochondrial proton gradient to reduce membrane potential. This slight uncoupling reduces the driving force for superoxide generation on the electron transport chain, thereby limiting the production of ROS, which are the main cause of mtDNA damage. By alleviating oxidative stress, LXR signaling reduces DNA damage and mtDNA double-strand breaks, while stabilizing the inner mitochondrial membrane, preventing the pathological opening of permeable transition pores and subsequent rupture of the outer mitochondrial membrane, thereby allowing mtDNA to escape into the cytoplasm.

LXRs and PPARδ alleviate this cascade reaction through a dual complementary mechanism. LXRs targets upstream sources by maintaining mitochondrial integrity and preventing the leakage of initial mtDNA. PPARδ activation combats downstream aging responses by blocking p38 phosphorylation and aging-related β-galactosidase activity. This mechanism suggests that the effect of LXR/PPARδ may improve cellular senescence. When used in combination with anti-aging drugs, it is more effective in reversing adipose dysfunction than STING inhibitors alone, which only block one downstream pathway (Xu et al., 2015; Michelet et al., 2018; Pan et al., 2021; Islam et al., 2023).

2.2.3 TREM2-SYK: a non-canonical PPARδ activation path

The TREM2-SYK axis coordinates macrophage lipid metabolism through PPARδ-dependent reprogramming. When apolipoproteins or phospholipids such as ApoE bind to TREM2, they induce the phosphorylation of splenic tyrosine kinase (SYK), thereby initiating multiple downstream effector pathways (Wang et al., 2022a). Among them, SYK significantly enhances the efferocytosis ability of macrophages by activating the RAC1 protein to drive the recombination of the actin skeleton. At the same time, it promotes nuclear translocation of transcription factor EB (TFEB) and expands the lysosomal network to accelerate lipid hydrolysis. Concurrently, TREM2 ligation induces SYK phosphorylation, which directly triggers RAC1-mediated PPARδ nuclear translocation—bypassing classical ligand binding. PPARδ subsequently co-activates TFEB, synergistically expanding lysosomal networks for enhanced lipid hydrolysis. Chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq) confirms PPARδ-TFEB co-occupancy on fatty acid oxidation gene promoters (Zheng et al., 2024; Jung et al., 2018). Under chronic lipid overload, SYK signaling is redirected toward the PI3K-AKT-TGFβ profibrotic pathway, thereby inactivating PPARδ. Specifically, when TREM2+ macrophages fail to resolve steatosis during early disease stages, persistent lipid excess shifts SYK signaling to phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)-AKT-mediated TGF-β secretion, accelerating fibrogenesis. Therapeutically, emerging agents like the TREM2 agonist AL-002 enhance lipid clearance, whereas in NASH models, the SYK inhibitor fostamatinib attenuates hepatic steatosis—highlighting context-dependent regulatory strategies (Wang et al., 2020; Long et al., 2024) (Figure 2).

Figure 2

Figure 2. Nuclear receptor regulation of three pivotal immunometabolic pathways. Key molecules and regulatory nodes are highlighted in bold. The figure illustrates: (1) PPARγ suppresses NLRP3 inflammasome activation by blocking its transcription, while LXRs inhibit inflammasome priming via METTL3 downregulation; the NLRP3-ASC-caspase1 cascade drives IL-1β-mediated insulin resistance. (2) Leaked mitochondrial DNA activates cGAS-STING signaling, which is countered by LXRβ through mitochondrial stabilization (UCP2 induction) and PPARδ-mediated blockade of p38 MAPK-driven senescence. (3) TREM2-activated SYK signaling enables PPARδ nuclear translocation, cooperating with TFEB for lipid breakdown; under chronic lipid overload, SYK signaling is redirected to the PI3K-AKT-TGFβ profibrotic pathway.

2.2.4 PPARγ and PPARδ in atherosclerosis immunometabolism regulation

Atherosclerosis, a lipid-driven chronic inflammatory disease of the arterial wall, exemplifies the central role of nuclear receptors in immunometabolic crosstalk. PPARγ and PPARα, two key members of the PPAR subfamily, are critical regulators that connect lipid homeostasis with vascular inflammation, thereby influencing disease progression and plaque stability.

PPARγ, expressed in vascular endothelial cells, macrophages, and smooth muscle cells, exerts atheroprotective effects through multiple mechanisms. In macrophages within atherosclerotic plaques, PPARγ activation promotes cholesterol efflux via transcriptional upregulation of the ABCA1 and ABCG1 transporters, reducing foam cell formation. Simultaneously, it suppresses pro-inflammatory gene expression by interfering with NF-κB and AP-1 signaling pathways, thereby attenuating vascular inflammation. Clinically, pioglitazone, a PPARγ agonist, has been shown to reduce carotid intima-media thickness and cardiovascular events in patients with T2DM, highlighting its translational relevance (Atas et al., 2025).

PPARα is mainly expressed in the liver and exists in vascular cells. It regulates systemic lipid metabolism by enhancing fatty acid β-oxidation and reducing circulating triglycerides. In the vascular environment, the activation of PPARα in endothelial cells inhibits the expression of adhesion molecules (such as VCAM-1), thereby reducing the recruitment of monocytes. In macrophages, it inhibits the activation of the NLRP3 inflammatory body and the secretion of IL-1β. Studies have shown that PPARα dysfunction is associated with an increased cardiovascular risk, and the clinically used PPARα agonist, the fibrates, can reduce cardiovascular events, especially in patients with atherosclerotic hyperlipidemia (Montaigne et al., 2021).

The PPARγ and PPARα signaling pathways have both distinct functions and overlapping functions in atherosclerosis. Their coordinated activation may bring about synergistic effects. PPARα can improve the drivers of dyslipidemia, while PPARγ can affect plaque inflammation and cholesterol deposition. However, their clinical applications also face some challenges, including fluid retention caused by PPARγ agonists and muscle disorders caused by fibrates. Emerging strategies, such as dual PPARα/γ agonists (e.g., saroglitazar), aim to utilize their complementary anti-atherosclerotic effects while reducing adverse consequences (Gawrieh et al., 2021). Future research should further analyze the cell type-specific roles of these receptors in the atherosclerotic microenvironment to achieve precise immune-metabolic regulation.

2.3 Bridging mechanisms and therapeutic strategies

Collectively, the NR-mediated circuits described above, spanning adipose PPARγ dysfunction, hepatic FXR/LXR imbalance, islet TREM2-PPARδ crosstalk, and integrative pathways such as NLRP3, cGAS-STING, and TREM2-SYK, which illustrate how nuclear receptors serve as central signaling hubs that coordinate immunometabolic responses in metabolic diseases. These receptors function as both key mediators of pathology and promising therapeutic targets, given their ability to sense metabolic stress and direct immune responses. Their dysregulation establishes self-sustaining inflammatory niches in tissues like fat, liver, and pancreas, driving disease progression. Therefore, precisely modulating NR activity to intercept these pathological circuits is a promising strategy for disease modification. Building on this mechanistic insight, the next-generation of immune-centric pharmacological approaches is emerging. In the following section, we explore these strategies, which include biologics, advanced delivery systems, and drug repurposing. All of them share the common goal of reprogramming NR-driven immunometabolism to resolve chronic inflammation and restore metabolic homeostasis.

3 Immune-centric pharmacological arsenal: NR-targeted strategies

3.1 Reprogramming immune phenotypes via NRs

3.1.1 Biologics targeting macrophages reprogramming

Macrophages have significant phenotypic plasticity and can polarize into M1 or M2 types depending on the different stages of inflammation to adapt to their microenvironment. Macrophage phenotypic plasticity orchestrated by nuclear receptors enables microenvironment-adaptive polarization between pro-inflammatory (M1) and reparative (M2-like) states. Environmental adaptive changes prompt macrophages to undergo metabolic reprogramming, providing the cells with the necessary energy support, thereby effectively participating in anti-inflammatory responses, and regulating inflammatory processes. This plasticity hinges on NR-directed metabolic reprogramming wherein PPARγ, LXRs, and PPARδ shift glycolytic/oxidative phosphorylation balance to license anti-inflammatory responses. Novel biologic agents precisely target NR-immunometabolic checkpoints. The following are examples of the emerging strategies summarized.

3.1.1.1 TREM2 agonist antibodies: PPARδ activation switches

TREM2 is expressed on lipid-associated macrophages (LAMs) in adipose tissue. The clinical-stage antibody AL002a, derived from the parental AL002 antibody, binds the extracellular IgV domain of TREM2. Knockout of TREM2 in mice leads to metabolic symptoms, including adipocyte hypertrophy, hypercholesterolemia, fat accumulation in the body and glucose intolerance (Reich et al., 2023). In Alzheimer’s disease models, TREM2 agonism by AL002 analogues induces SYK phosphorylation. PPARγ activation is associated with reparative functions in adipose tissue. TREM2 deficiency correlates with metabolic dysregulation including adipocyte hypertrophy, hypercholesterolemia, and glucose intolerance. While AL002a shows preclinical efficacy in ameliorating TREM2-related pathologies, the mechanistic link between SYK phosphorylation and PPARγ activation in AL002a-treated LAMs requires further experimental validation (Long et al., 2024; Xu et al., 2025).

3.1.1.2 IL-4/IL-13 targeting adipose tissue macrophage immunopharmacology

IL-4 and IL-13 are classic cytokines associated with Th2-type immune responses. These cytokines activate the signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6) to induce M2-like macrophage polarization, which might act as a key immunomodulatory axis for metabolic disease. Cold exposure induces IL-4-dependent adipose tissue browning, with IL-4/IL-13-deficient mice exhibiting impaired beige adipocyte formation. Receptor-interacting protein 140 (RIP140) is a coregulator of NRs that is highly expressed in adipose tissue. Research directly targeting RIP140 indicated that its knockout in macrophages increases the proportion of M2-type macrophages in the adipose tissue of obese mice by approximately threefold. Cardiac-specific RIP140 knockout has been shown to improve myocardial metabolism and prevent heart failure, but its role in adipose tissue macrophages remains unexplored. Based on correlative evidence, M2-like macrophages may promote beige adipogenesis, though direct mechanistic evidence is limited. The potential coordination between STAT6 and the nuclear receptor PPARγ in this process warrants further investigation. Notably, no existing studies demonstrate that M2 macrophages directly induce beige fat differentiation (Montaigne et al., 2021; Gawrieh et al., 2021; Reich et al., 2023). Therefore, the specific mechanisms by which M2-like macrophages regulate beige adipogenesis, particularly through potential STAT6-PPARγ crosstalk, warrant further investigation (Bernstein et al., 2023; Yamamoto et al., 2023; Ye et al., 2023).

3.1.1.3 NR-Mediated immunomodulation of inflammasomes

Nuclear receptors emerge as master regulators of inflammasome pathways through immunometabolic mechanisms, offering novel therapeutic strategies for obesity-related pathologies. Specifically, the PPARγ signaling axis shows immunopharmacological relevance: PPARγ agonists (e.g., thiazolidinediones) suppress NLRP3 inflammasome assembly and IL-1β secretion in macrophages via transrepression of inflammatory genes, directly contributing to their efficacy in metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). Notably, NR coregulators serve pivotal bridging functions, as exemplified by RIP140, a corepressor for PPARγ and other metabolic NRs highly expressed in adipose tissue macrophages. Macrophage-specific RIP140 knockout studies confirm that its ablation releases PPARγ suppression, enhancing M2 polarization, attenuating NLRP3/IL-1β-driven adipose inflammation, and improving insulin sensitivity in obese mice, thereby positioning RIP140 as a druggable interface linking NR signaling to immunometabolism (Yamamoto et al., 2023). Expanding this paradigm to NR-inflammasome crosstalk, although direct NLRP3 inhibitors like MCC900 demonstrate efficacy in MAFLD (Jiang et al., 2017), their actions require functional NR pathways: MCC950s anti-fibrotic effects depend on intact PPARγ signaling in myeloid cells, while PPARγ agonists potentiate MCC950-mediated suppression of cholesterol crystal-induced NLRP3 activation. This synergy underscores combinatorial targeting of NR-inflammasome axes as a promising therapeutic approach. Furthermore, liver X receptor (LXR) agonists (e.g., GW3965) transcriptionally repress NLRP3 expression and promote cholesterol efflux, establishing direct NR-mediated immunopharmacological control over inflammasomes in NAFLD models. Collectively, targeting NRs (PPARγ, LXR) and their coregulators (RIP140) enables precise immunomodulation of NLRP3-driven metabolic inflammation. Future research should prioritize elucidating NR-STAT6/PPARγ coordination in macrophage polarization, developing dual-targeting NR/NLRP3 modulators with optimized drug properties, and exploring extracellular vesicle-mediated NR immunometabolic pathways.

3.1.2 Small molecules modulating NR-immunometabolism

Nuclear receptor-targeted small molecules reprogram immunometabolic circuits by leveraging the structural plasticity of ligand-binding domains (LBDs). Nuclear receptor ligands achieve high-affinity binding to specific pockets within the ligand-binding domains, such as PPARγ′s hydrophobic cavity or FXR’s bile acid recognition site. These interactions trigger structural rearrangements that control how transcriptional coregulators are recruited. This includes displacement of corepressors (e.g., NCOR1, NCOR2/SMRT) and stabilization of coactivators (e.g., PPARGC1A/PGC-1α, MED1/DRIP205), driving an allosterically regulated coregulator exchange (Ritter et al., 2021; Yue et al., 2011). Consequently, NR ligands exert tissue and cell type-specific control over macrophage polarization states and T-cell differentiation, directly coupling metabolic sensing to immunological responses. Two prototypical agents exemplify this paradigm-shifting strategy.

3.1.2.1 PPARγ agonists (Thiazolidinediones): reprogramming adipose immunity

Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) are ligands of the PPARγ receptor, by binding PPARγ’s ligand-binding domain, can induce allosteric shifts that recruit coactivators, orchestrating immunometabolic reprogramming with cell type-specific outcomes. Critically, TZDs suppress adipose inflammation through PPARγ-mediated interference with NF-κB signaling and thus reducing inflammasome activity. Conversely, environmental toxicants like per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exploit the homologous PPARα-ACOX1 axis to disrupt hepatic lipid homeostasis, inducing oxidative stress and steatosis through ACOX1 overactivation. This contrast underscores the duality of NR signaling: In adipocytes, TZDs upregulate lipid storage genes (CD36/FABP4), driving ectopic lipid accumulation. In macrophages, PPARγ activation enhances oxidative metabolism (e.g., ACOX1-mediated peroxisomal β-oxidation) to promote M2 polarization counteracting the pathological ACOX1 hyperactivity seen in PFAS-induced metabolic disorders. In hepatocytes, PFAS hijack PPARα to hyperactivate acox1-diverging from TZD-PPARγ’s physiological ACOX1 modulation (Cariou et al., 2012; Lee et al., 2021; Zhou et al., 2025). Such NR pathway duality extends to T-cell compartments, where PPARγ activation expands immunoregulatory subsets while impairing cytotoxic responses a functional dichotomy that reflects context-dependent nuclear receptor pharmacology in metabolic disease pathogenesis. To resolve this paradox, next-generation tissue-selective PPARγ modulators such as INT131 (Motani et al., 2009) dissociate metabolic benefits from pro-inflammatory lipogenesis through two complementary strategies: sparing SREBP1c transactivation via biased ligand-binding domain conformations and preserving regulatory T-cell expansion by maintaining FOXP3-coactivator retention complexes, thereby exemplifying precision immunopharmacology for next-generation metabolic therapy.

3.1.2.2 FXR agonists: orchestrating gut-liver immunity

Obeticholic acid (OCA) is a farnesoid X receptor (FXR) agonist and a novel derivative of chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA), one of the primary bile acids in humans. Among them, FXR is a key regulatory molecule for bile acids, inflammatory responses, fibrosis, and metabolic pathways. Obeticholic acid (OCA) activates systemic FXR with intestinal predominance to reshape gut-liver immunity. By binding FXR in ileal enterocytes, OCA induces fibroblast growth factor 19 (FGF19) secretion. This hormone suppresses hepatic bile acid synthesis via CYP7A1 downregulation, reducing pools of toxic bile acids that activate pro-inflammatory signaling through macrophage TGR5 and TLR4. Concurrently, intestinal FXR signaling induces Small Heterodimer Partner (SHP) to repress retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor γt (RORγt) activity in lamina propria mononuclear cells thereby inhibiting IL-23-driven expansion of Th17 cells—a key pathway in metabolic inflammation. In the regenerate phase 3 trial for NASH, OCA exhibited targeted immunometabolic actions. After 18 months of treatment with 25 mg/day OCA, significantly more patients achieved fibrosis improvement without disease progression compared to placebo (23% vs. 12%). This antifibrotic effect paralleled reductions in hepatic inflammatory activity. Pruritus occurred dose-dependently in 33% of OCA-treated patients, consistent with systemic FXR activation. Concurrently, OCA enhanced intestinal barrier integrity, demonstrated through decreased fecal zonulin and elevated mucosal tight junction protein expression (Younossi et al., 2019). Emerging gut restricted FXR agonists may offer a promising approach to circumvent these limitations. Preclinical and early clinical evidence suggests that compounds such as cilofexor could selectively activate intestinal FXR while minimizing systemic exposure (Patel et al., 2020; Fuchs et al., 2023). This localized targeting might preserve beneficial FXR-IL-10 axis signaling in gut macrophages, potentially enhancing antimicrobial peptide secretion, and reducing endotoxemia (Fu et al., 2022). Such tissue-specific strategies appear to maintain metabolic efficacy while likely mitigating pruritus risk—positioning them as investigational approaches for restoring gut-liver immune homeostasis (Clifford et al., 2021).

3.2 Advanced delivery systems: spatiotemporal precision for NR modulation

3.2.1 Liver-targeted LXR nanocarriers overcome systemic toxicity barriers

Galactose-functionalized polymeric nanoparticles (e.g., biocompatible PLGA-PEG) deliver agonists like T0901317 specifically to hepatocytes through asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGPR)-mediated uptake. This hepatocyte-restricted targeting prevents LXRα activation in peripheral tissues avoiding hypertriglyceridemia, a major limitation of systemic LXR therapy (Wang et al., 2022b; Sharma et al., 2021; Rudalska et al., 2021). Within hepatocytes, LXR agonists upregulate ABCA1 transporters to enhance cholesterol efflux (Chawla et al., 2001). This reduces intracellular lipid accumulation in preclinical NASH models, potentially limiting foam cell formation in hepatic macrophages. Co-delivered Kupffer cell-targeted siRNA suppresses TLR4/NF-κB pathways attenuating pro-inflammatory cytokine production. This liver-targeted approach holds relevance for NASH, a disease characterized by the triumvirate of steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis. By compartmentalizing LXR activation to hepatocytes, the strategy directly addresses hepatic lipid accumulation, while the co-targeting of Kupffer cells mitigates the inflammatory response that fuels disease progression. More importantly, by suppressing Kupffer cell activation, this approach may indirectly attenuate hepatic stellate cell activation and subsequent fibrogenesis, thereby intervening at multiple nodal points in the NASH pathological cascade (Yang et al., 2021). This spatially stratified delivery logic exemplifies how advanced nanocarriers can be rationally designed to dissect and target the multicellular pathology of metabolic liver disease, moving beyond mere tissue targeting to cellular niche-specific intervention.

3.2.2 Spatially defined immunometabolic reprogramming via adipose-targeted PPARγ delivery

Hyaluronic acid-conjugated liposomes loaded with rosiglitazone preferentially accumulate in visceral adipose tissue through CD44 receptor-mediated targeting (Hayward et al., 2016). This approach significantly enhances M2 macrophage polarization within CLS by sustaining local PPARγ activation, while minimizing PPARγ engagement in bone marrow. Such spatial selectivity mitigates the risk of osteoporosis, a recognized limitation of systemic thiazolidinediones. The pathological rationale for adipose-specific targeting extends beyond avoiding side effects; it directly addresses the systemic metabolic crosstalk central to T2DM. Visceral adipose tissue is a primary source of pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., TNF-α, IL-6) and adipokines that contribute to peripheral insulin resistance and pancreatic β-cell dysfunction. By precisely reprogramming ATMs within the visceral depot, this strategy aims to dismantle the inflamed adipose-liver-islet axis. Reducing adipose-derived inflammatory signals can alleviate the lipotoxic and inflammatory stress on pancreatic islets, potentially preserving β-cell function. Therefore, adipose-targeted PPARγ delivery is not merely a safety refinement but a pathology-aware therapeutic strategy designed to intercept the adipose-centric inflammatory drivers of systemic metabolic dysfunction.

3.3 Repurposed metabolic drugs: releasing NR immunomodulatory potential

3.3.1 Metformin reprograms immunometabolism through AMPK-PPARγ crosstalk

Metformin exerts significant anti-inflammatory and metabolic effects, primarily mediated by activating AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) within ATMs. This AMPK activation initiates signaling cascades that culminate in the activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) (Yee et al., 2012). Activated p38 MAPK subsequently induces the phosphorylation of PPARγ. PPARγ phosphorylation potently enhances its suppressive capacity, enabling it to robustly suppress the assembly and activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, thereby dampening macrophage pro-inflammatory responses (Jafarzadeh et al., 2025). Simultaneously, phosphorylated PPARγ potentiates the expression of genes critical for fatty acid oxidation including carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1A (CPT1A) and pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4 (PDK4) (Niu et al., 2023). Collectively, this suppression of inflammasome activity and promotion of fatty acid oxidation, mediated by the AMPK/p38 MAPK/PPARγ axis synergizes to drive a phenotypic shift in ATMs. This shift transitions macrophages from a pro-inflammatory state towards a tissue-reparative, anti-inflammatory state. Clinically, metformin treatment T2D patients is associated with beneficial adipose tissue niche remodeling, evidenced by a reduction in CLS–histopathological markers of inflammation where macrophages engulf dead adipocytes (Zhou et al., 2018). The observed reduction in CLS provides clinical evidence consistent with the proposed NR-mediated, highlighting metformin’s benefits extending beyond glycemic control.

3.3.2 Statins paradoxically suppress LXR-ABCA1 cholesterol efflux in immune cells

Statins, the cornerstone therapy for lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), function by potently inhibiting the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase. This inhibition effectively blocks the mevalonate pathway, the primary route for endogenous cholesterol biosynthesis, leading to the desired reduction in circulating LDL-C. However, this inhibition has a significant downstream metabolic consequence: it concurrently depletes cellular pools of isoprenoid intermediates. A key affected metabolite is geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP). GGPP serves as a crucial metabolic precursor for the endogenous synthesis of oxysterols, which act as ligands that activate LXRα. Statin-induced GGPP depletion reduces LXRα activation within macrophages reduces LXRα activity directly impairs its ability to drive the transcription of the ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) (Fan et al., 2012; Yan et al., 2018; Ito et al., 2015). Excess intracellular cholesterol accumulation is a well-established trigger for macrophage activation, leading to the amplified secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines via mechanisms such as NLRP3 inflammasome activation. To overcome this limitation inherent to statin monotherapy, next-generation adjunctive therapies are being developed. LXRβ-selective agonists, such as BMS-779788 represent a promising class (Kirchgessner et al., 2015). These agents are designed to potently activate LXRβ the isoform predominantly expressed in macrophages and critical for regulating ABCA1.Crucially, LXRβ-selective agonists demonstrate minimal activity on LXRα the isoform highly expressed in the liver whose activation drives lipogenic gene expression (e.g., SREBP-1c) and can cause hepatic steatosis (Rong et al., 2017). Therefore, BMS-779788 and similar compounds can effectively restore ABCA1 expression and cholesterol efflux flux in macrophages without inducing the undesirable hepatic lipogenesis associated with non-selective LXR agonists. This strategy exemplifies how precision co-targeting of NRs and specifically, inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, aiming to enhance their overall benefit-risk profile by mitigating pro-inflammatory side effects while maintaining potent LDL-lowering (Table 1) (Figure 3).

Table 1

Table 1. Clinical-translational landscape of NR-Targeted metabolic immunomodulators.

Figure 3

Figure 3. Three strategic approaches to modulate NR-immune circuits in metabolic diseases. Core therapeutic agents, targets, and pathways are highlighted in bold. The figure illustrates: (1) Biologics: e.g., TREM2 agonistic antibodies activate PPARγ in macrophages to resolve inflammation; targeting the IL-4/IL-13 axis promotes tissue-reparative macrophage polarization. (2) Advanced delivery systems: e.g., galactose-coated nanoparticles enable liver-specific LXR agonist delivery via ASGPR-mediated targeting; hyaluronic acid-conjugated liposomes direct PPARγ agonists to adipose tissue through CD44 receptor engagement. (3) Repurposed drugs: e.g., metformin activates the AMPK-p38-PPARγ axis to suppress inflammasome activation; combining statins with LXRβ agonists restores macrophage cholesterol efflux via ABCA1.

3.4 Therapeutic challenges: navigating NR immunopharmacology complexities

Achieving tissue-selective NR modulation remains a paramount yet elusive goal. Systemic glucocorticoid receptor (GR) agonism exemplifies this challenge: while conferring anti-inflammatory benefits in adipose niches, it concurrently induces osteoporosis and muscle wasting via off-target transcriptional activation in bone and skeletal muscle. These adverse effects arise from evolutionarily conserved DNA-binding domain (DBD) homology across the NR superfamily, which enables nonspecific chromatin binding beyond therapeutically intended genomic sites (Escoter-Torres et al., 2020). Heterodimer partner selection introduces additional complexity for precision targeting. The obligate RXR heterodimerization of PPARγ, LXR and FXR exhibits tissue-specific dimerization kinetics - hepatic LXRα preferentially pairs with RXRα whereas intestinal FXR favors RXRγ (Le Maire et al., 2009). Tissue-selective RXR heterodimerization is governed by conformational dynamics. Pan-RXR agonists disrupt tissue-selective dimerization, driving lipogenesis via hepatic SREBP1c upregulation while impairing FXR-RXRγ-mediated cytoprotective functions in intestine (Nahoum et al., 2007; Adouvi et al., 2023).

Clinical translation encounters immunotoxicity challenges, exemplified by TREM2 agonists such as AL002. Despite demonstrating efficacy in ameliorating metabolically driven inflammation, dose-dependent peripheral eosinophilia emerges as a dose-limiting adverse effect. This off-tissue effect stems from AL002s Fc domain engaging macrophage FcγRIIA triggering GM-CSF-mediated bone marrow eosinophil mobilization. Such observations underscore the necessity for cell-type-specific delivery strategies in immune-modulating therapeutics. Collectively, these challenges necessitate next-generation precision solutions: artificial intelligence-guided NR isoform design, organoid-based dimerization profiling, and antibody engineering for immune cell-restricted delivery—paving the path toward clinically viable NR immunopharmacology (Figure 4).

Figure 4

Figure 4. Key translational challenges and emerging solutions in NR-targeted immunopharmacology. Central challenges and strategic solutions are highlighted in bold. The diagram outlines major hurdles: (1) achieving tissue-selective effects is hindered by conserved NR structures leading to off-target impacts (e.g., bone loss via GR activation), and by complex, tissue-specific RXR heterodimer partnerships (2) immune-modulating biologics (e.g., TREM2 antibodies); can induce off-tissue immune reactions (e.g., eosinophilia). Proposed solutions include: designing biased ligands using AI-guided drug design (e.g., INT131), profiling tissue-specific NR-RXR dimerization in organoid models, and employing antibody engineering strategies to restrict cell-type-specific delivery and minimize side effects.

4 Conclusion and perspectives

The paradigm of nuclear receptor (NR)-driven immunometabolic crosstalk redefines therapeutic approaches for obesity, type 2 diabetes, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by positioning chronic inflammation as a druggable nexus. While conventional metabolic therapies alleviate symptoms, they fail to dismantle self-perpetuating inflammatory circuits orchestrated by dysregulated NR networks in adipose, hepatic, and islet microenvironments. Immune-centric pharmacology targeting NR-immunocyte axes with spatiotemporal precision holds transformative potential for durable disease modification. However, its efficacy hinges critically on tissue- and cell type-specific NR modulation, as systemic NR activation faces significant limitations: off-target effects, functional duality, and heterodimer complexity. These challenges underscore the necessity for NR-spatiotemporal precision to avoid paradoxical immunometabolic outcomes.

To overcome current limitations, integrated strategies focus on three pillars. Firstly, tissue-specific ligand design leverages compartmentalized targeting: hepatocyte-directed LXR agonists promote cholesterol efflux without hypertriglyceridemia; visceral adipose-targeted PPARγ delivery polarizes CLS macrophages without bone marrow toxicity; and gut-restricted FXR agonists preserve intestinal barrier integrity while mitigating systemic pruritus. Secondly, AI-driven NR heterodimer regulation employs machine learning to predict RXR isoform binding landscapes, organoid-based screening to profile NR heterodimers in diseased niches, and computational modeling of ligand-binding domain dynamics to engineer biased ligands. Thirdly, combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors exploits NR regulation of immunogenic cell death and T-cell exhaustion: PPARγ agonists synergize with PD-1 blockade to reverse CD8⁺ T-cell dysfunction in adipose/NAFLD microenvironments and enhance antitumor immunity, while LXRβ agonism remodels immunosuppressive niches by restoring macrophage cholesterol efflux.

Bridging innovation to clinical practice requires a chronologically stratified approach. In early disease, TREM2 agonism enhances amyloid/lipid clearance and PPARδ-dependent macrophage reprogramming. For advanced fibrosis, SYK inhibition interrupts NR-dysregulated profibrotic loops. Concurrently, repurposed drugs demonstrate NR-immunomodulatory potential: metformin modulates the AMPK/p38/PPARγ axis to suppress NLRP3 inflammasome activation, while statin-LXRβ combinations counteract ABCA1 suppression. Accelerating translation necessitates convergence of spatial NR pharmacology, computational biology, and immunometabolic circuit mapping to optimize targeted interventions across disease stages.

Expanding the indications of nuclear receptor ligands that are already in clinical use or advanced development represents a practical route to accelerate translation. This strategy can be illustrated with several existing facts. For instance, FXR agonists such as obeticholic acid, initially approved for primary biliary cholangitis, are now being actively investigated for their ability to target metabolic inflammation in conditions like NASH. Similarly, the well-known PPARγ modulator pioglitazone is being re-evaluated not only for glycemic control but also for its direct anti-inflammatory effects on diabetic cardiovascular and renal systems. Furthermore, PPARα agonists of the fibrate class may offer benefits in mitigating vascular inflammation beyond their classical lipid-lowering role.

Redirecting these therapies toward immune-inflammatory indications will depend on several factors. These include reassessing optimal dosing, understanding tissue-specific exposure, and confirming long-term safety in new patient groups. Overall, this repurposing approach, grounded in the principles of immune-centric pharmacology, offers a viable strategy to rapidly deliver mechanism-based treatments for the inflammatory underpinnings of metabolic diseases.

Key research priorities include deciphering NR-STAT6/PPARγ crosstalk in macrophage-driven beige adipogenesis, developing senolytics targeting NR-associated inflammation (Guo et al., 2024), and validating extracellular vesicle-mediated NR signaling as novel druggable targets. In conclusion, immune-centric pharmacology anchored in NR-spatiotemporal precision heralds a new era of mechanism-driven metabolic therapeutics. By dismantling the inflamed nexus at its source, this paradigm integrates molecular discovery with transformative clinical outcomes, offering sustainable solutions for complex metabolic diseases.

Author contributions

YZ: Conceptualization, Data curation, Formal analysis, Investigation, Methodology, Writing – original draft, Writing – review and editing. ZP: Data curation, Formal analysis, Writing – review and editing. ZW: Data curation, Formal analysis, Writing – review and editing. YC: Data curation, Formal analysis, Writing – review and editing. HW: Methodology, Investigation, Writing – review and editing. WT: Resources, Writing – review and editing. XC: Data curation and Writing – review and editing. JL: Supervision, Writing – review and editing. QN: Funding acquisition, Project administration, Supervision, Writing – review and editing.

Funding

The author(s) declared that financial support was received for this work and/or its publication. This work was supported by the Shuang Shou Jian Kang Xing Dong Project (Grant No. 01060030), the High Level Chinese Medical Hospital Promotion Project (Grant No. HLCMHPP2023084) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 82174354).

Acknowledgements

We thank QingNi for guidance in revising this manuscript.

Conflict of interest

The author(s) declared that this work was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

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The author(s) declared that generative AI was not used in the creation of this manuscript.

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Glossary

ABCA1 ATP-binding Cassette Transporter A1

ABCG1 ATP-binding Cassette subfamily G member 1

ADAM A Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase

AKT Protein Kinase B

AMPK AMP-activated Protein Kinase

ASC Apoptosis-associated Speck-like protein containing a CARD

ASGPR Asialoglycoprotein Receptor

ATMs Adipose Tissue Macrophages

CCL2 Chemokine (C-C motif) Ligand 2 (also known as MCP-1)

CCR2 C-C Chemokine Receptor Type 2

CD36 Cluster of Differentiation 36

CLS Crown-like Structures

CPT1A Carnitine Palmitoyl Transferase 1A

CRP C-reactive Protein

CX3CR1 C-X3-C Motif Chemokine Receptor 1

CYP7A1 Cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase

cGAS cyclic GMP-AMP Synthase

DBD DNA-binding Domain

Drp1 Dynamin-Related Protein 1

FABP4 Fatty Acid Binding Protein 4

FGF19 Fibroblast Growth Factor 19

FXR Farnesoid X Receptor

GGPP Geranylgeranyl Pyrophosphate

GM-CSF Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor

GR Glucocorticoid Receptor

HIF-1α Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1-alpha

HMG-CoA 3-Hydroxy-3-Methylglutaryl-CoA

IAPP Islet Amyloid Polypeptide

IFN Interferon

IL-1β Interleukin-1 beta

IL-4 Interleukin-4

IL-6 Interleukin-6

IL-10 Interleukin-10

IL-13 Interleukin-13

IL-18 Interleukin-18

IL-23 Interleukin-23

IRS-1 Insulin Receptor Substrate 1

ITAM Immunoreceptor Tyrosine-based Activation Motif

JNK c-Jun N-terminal Kinase

KCs Kupffer Cells

LAMs Lipid-associated Macrophages

LBD Ligand-binding Domain

LDL-C Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol

LXR Liver X Receptor

LXRs Liver X Receptors

MAPK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase

MCP-1 Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 (same as CCL2)

METTL3 Methyltransferase-like 3mmc1

mtDNA Mitochondrial DNA

NAFLD Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

NASH Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis

NEK7 NIMA-related Kinase 7

NF-κB Nuclear Factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells

NLRP3 NOD-like receptor family, pyrin domain containing 3

NR Nuclear Receptor

NRs Nuclear Receptors|

OCA Obeticholic Acid

p38 MAPK p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase

PD-1 Programmed Death-1mmc2

PDK4 Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Kinase 4

PI3K Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase

PLGA-PEG Poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid)-Polyethylene Glycol

PPAR Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor

PPARγ Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor gamma

PPARδ Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor delta

RAC1 Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1

RIP140 Receptor-interacting protein 140

RORγt Retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor gamma t

ROS Reactive Oxygen Species

RXR Retinoid X Receptor

SA-β-gal Senescence-associated β-galactosidase

SHP Small Heterodimer Partner

SOCS3 Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 3

SREBP1c Sterol Regulatory Element-Binding Transcription Factor 1c

STAT6 Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 6

STING Stimulator of Interferon Genes

SYK Spleen Tyrosine Kinase

TBK1 TANK-binding Kinase 1

TGF-β Transforming Growth Factor beta

Th17 T helper 17 cells

TLR4 Toll-like Receptor 4

TNF-α Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha

TREM1 Triggering Receptor Expressed on Myeloid cells 1

TREM2 Triggering Receptor Expressed on Myeloid cells 2

T2DM Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

TXNIP Thioredoxin Interacting Protein

UCP2 Uncoupling Protein 2

WAT White Adipose Tissue

Wnt Wingless-type MMTV integration site family