Leucine-Rich Repeat Kinase 2 (LRRK2) in Glucose Metabolism and Metabolic–Neuroinflammatory Crosstalk

Leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) is a multidomain serine/threonine kinase and a major genetic contributor to Parkinson’s disease (PD). Although LRRK2 has been extensively studied in neurodegeneration, emerging evidence indicates that it also plays a critical role in systemic metabolism. LRRK2 regulates glucose homeostasis through modulation of insulin signaling, vesicle trafficking, mitochondrial function, and inflammatory responses. Studies using LRRK2 knockout and knock-in models, including the pathogenic G2019S mutation, have revealed abnormalities in insulin sensitivity, adipose tissue inflammation, hepatic glucose production, and skeletal muscle metabolism. Mechanistically, LRRK2 phosphorylates Rab GTPases, thereby controlling insulin receptor trafficking and GLUT4 translocation. In addition, LRRK2 influences mitochondrial dynamics and reactive oxygen species production, linking metabolic stress to inflammatory signaling. Importantly, LRRK2 also regulates innate immune pathways, including TLR4–NFκB signaling and inflammasome activation, thereby connecting peripheral metabolic dysfunction to neuroinflammation. Here, we propose an integrated metabolic–neuroinflammatory crosstalk model in which LRRK2 functions as a molecular coordinator linking peripheral metabolic dysfunction to central neurodegeneration. In this framework, systemic metabolic stress—characterized by insulin resistance, chronic inflammation, advanced glycation end product (AGE) accumulation, and blood–brain barrier disruption—drives microglial activation and neurodegenerative processes. Understanding this systemic axis may provide new therapeutic opportunities targeting both metabolic dysfunction and neurodegeneration in PD.