Fatty acids from adipocyte lipolysis stimulate insulin secretion

White adipose tissue and pancreatic islets play central roles in the regulation of metabolic homeostasis. Although ectopic lipid accumulation is established as a driver of impaired insulin secretion, the acute contribution of adipocyte lipolysis to islet function remains poorly documented. Here, we investigated a mouse model with inducible adipocyte-specific deletion of both adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) and hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL), which leads to defective adipocyte lipolysis. Despite preserved ex vivo islet function, these mice displayed a marked reduction in insulin secretion in response to stimulation of adipocyte {beta}3-adrenoceptors, as well as following glucose and arginine challenges. Mechanistically, we identified non-esterified fatty acids as critical mediators of lipolysis-driven insulin secretion, engaging pancreatic signaling of the free fatty acid receptors FFAR4 (a.k.a. GPR120) and FFAR1 (a.k.a. GPR40). The regulation of insulin secretion by adipocyte lipolysis was preserved in high-fat diet-induced obesity. These findings identify an underappreciated adipose-islet crosstalk that couples adipocyte lipolysis to insulin secretion and links lipid and glucose metabolism.