The researchers demonstrated that the activation of the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway suppresses inflammation in adipose tissue and improves insulin sensitivity in animal models with diet-induced obesity (DIO) and genetic obesity (db/db); however, animals that do not express α7nAChR (α7KO) present abnormal inflammation and decreased insulin sensitivity. The gene discussed is CHRNA7; the disease is obesity due to melanocortin 4 receptor deficiency.