1
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Khan R, Laumet G, Leinninger GM. Hungry for relief: Potential for neurotensin to address comorbid obesity and pain. Appetite 2024; 200:107540. [PMID: 38852785 DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2024.107540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 05/31/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Chronic pain and obesity frequently occur together. An ideal therapy would alleviate pain without weight gain, and most optimally, could promote weight loss. The neuropeptide neurotensin (Nts) has been separately implicated in reducing weight and pain but could it be a common actionable target for both pain and obesity? Here we review the current knowledge of Nts signaling via its receptors in modulating body weight and pain processing. Evaluating the mechanism by which Nts impacts ingestive behavior, body weight, and analgesia has potential to identify common physiologic mechanisms underlying weight and pain comorbidities, and whether Nts may be common actionable targets for both.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rabail Khan
- Neuroscience Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Geoffroy Laumet
- Neuroscience Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA; Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Gina M Leinninger
- Neuroscience Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA; Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA.
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2
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Farahmand F, Sidikpramana M, Gomez AR, Rivera LJ, Trzeciak JR, Sharif S, Tang Q, Leinninger GM, Güler AD, Steele AD. Dopamine production in neurotensin receptor 1 neurons is required for diet-induced obesity and increased day eating on a high-fat diet. Obesity (Silver Spring) 2024; 32:1448-1452. [PMID: 38979671 PMCID: PMC11269025 DOI: 10.1002/oby.24066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2024] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to determine a dopaminergic circuit required for diet-induced obesity in mice. METHODS We created conditional deletion mutants for tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) using neurotensin receptor 1 (Ntsr1) Cre and other Cre drivers and measured feeding and body weight on standard and high-fat diets. We then used an adeno-associated virus to selectively restore TH to the ventral tegmental area (VTA) Ntsr1 neurons in conditional knockout (cKO) mice. RESULTS Mice with cKO of Th using Vglut2-Cre, Cck-Cre, Calb1-Cre, and Bdnf-Cre were susceptible to obesity on a high-fat diet; however, Ntsr1-Cre Th cKO mice resisted weight gain on a high-fat diet and did not experience an increase in day eating unlike their wild-type littermate controls. Restoration of TH to the VTA Ntsr1 neurons of the Ntsr1-Cre Th cKO mice using an adeno-associated virus resulted in an increase in weight gain and day eating on a high-fat diet. CONCLUSIONS Ntsr1-Cre Th cKO mice failed to increase day eating on a high-fat diet, offering a possible explanation for their resistance to diet-induced obesity. These results implicate VTA Ntsr1 dopamine neurons as promoting out-of-phase feeding behavior on a high-fat diet that could be an important contributor to diet-induced obesity in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Firozeh Farahmand
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State Polytechnic University Pomona; Pomona, CA; USA
| | - Michael Sidikpramana
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State Polytechnic University Pomona; Pomona, CA; USA
| | - Alyssa R. Gomez
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State Polytechnic University Pomona; Pomona, CA; USA
| | - Luis J. Rivera
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State Polytechnic University Pomona; Pomona, CA; USA
| | - Jacqueline R. Trzeciak
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State Polytechnic University Pomona; Pomona, CA; USA
| | - Sarah Sharif
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State Polytechnic University Pomona; Pomona, CA; USA
| | - Qijun Tang
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22904, USA
| | - Gina M. Leinninger
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48114, United States
| | - Ali D. Güler
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22904, USA
| | - Andrew D. Steele
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State Polytechnic University Pomona; Pomona, CA; USA
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3
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Apuschkin M, Burm HB, Schmidt JH, Skov LJ, Andersen RC, Bowin CF, Støier JF, Jensen KL, Posselt LP, Dmytriyeva O, Sørensen AT, Egerod KL, Holst B, Rickhag M, Schwartz TW, Gether U. An atlas of GPCRs in dopamine neurons: Identification of the free fatty acid receptor 4 as a regulator of food and water intake. Cell Rep 2024; 43:114509. [PMID: 39003735 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Midbrain dopaminergic neurons (DANs) are subject to extensive metabotropic regulation, but the repertoire of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) present in these neurons has not been mapped. Here, we isolate DANs from Dat-eGFP mice to generate a GPCR atlas by unbiased qPCR array expression analysis of 377 GPCRs. Combined with data mining of scRNA-seq databases, we identify multiple receptors in DAN subpopulations with 38 of these receptors representing the majority of transcripts. We identify 41 receptors expressed in midbrain DANs but not in non-DAN midbrain cells, including the free fatty acid receptor 4 (FFAR4). Functional expression of FFAR4 is validated by ex vivo Ca2+ imaging, and in vivo experiments support that FFAR4 negatively regulates food and water intake and bodyweight. In addition to providing a critical framework for understanding metabotropic DAN regulation, our data suggest fatty acid sensing by FFAR4 as a mechanism linking high-energy intake to the dopamine-reward pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mia Apuschkin
- Molecular Neuropharmacology and Genetics Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Hayley B Burm
- Molecular Neuropharmacology and Genetics Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jan H Schmidt
- Molecular Neuropharmacology and Genetics Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Louise J Skov
- Novo Nordic Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Rita C Andersen
- Molecular Neuropharmacology and Genetics Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Carl-Fredrik Bowin
- Molecular Neuropharmacology and Genetics Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jonatan F Støier
- Molecular Neuropharmacology and Genetics Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kathrine L Jensen
- Molecular Neuropharmacology and Genetics Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Leonie P Posselt
- Molecular Neuropharmacology and Genetics Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Oksana Dmytriyeva
- Novo Nordic Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Andreas T Sørensen
- Molecular Neuropharmacology and Genetics Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kristoffer L Egerod
- Novo Nordic Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Birgitte Holst
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Laboratory for Molecular Pharmacology and Novo Nordic Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mattias Rickhag
- Molecular Neuropharmacology and Genetics Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; Danish Research Centre for Magnetic Resonance (DRCMR), Copenhagen University Hospital Amager and Hvidovre, Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Thue W Schwartz
- Novo Nordic Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ulrik Gether
- Molecular Neuropharmacology and Genetics Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark.
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4
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Castel J, Li G, Onimus O, Leishman E, Cani PD, Bradshaw H, Mackie K, Everard A, Luquet S, Gangarossa G. NAPE-PLD in the ventral tegmental area regulates reward events, feeding and energy homeostasis. Mol Psychiatry 2024; 29:1478-1490. [PMID: 38361126 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-024-02427-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
The N-acyl phosphatidylethanolamine-specific phospholipase D (NAPE-PLD) catalyzes the production of N-acylethanolamines (NAEs), a family of endogenous bioactive lipids, which are involved in various biological processes ranging from neuronal functions to energy homeostasis and feeding behaviors. Reward-dependent behaviors depend on dopamine (DA) transmission between the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and the nucleus accumbens (NAc), which conveys reward-values and scales reinforced behaviors. However, whether and how NAPE-PLD may contribute to the regulation of feeding and reward-dependent behaviors has not yet been investigated. This biological question is of paramount importance since NAEs are altered in obesity and metabolic disorders. Here, we show that transcriptomic meta-analysis highlights a potential role for NAPE-PLD within the VTA→NAc circuit. Using brain-specific invalidation approaches, we report that the integrity of NAPE-PLD is required for the proper homeostasis of NAEs within the midbrain VTA and it affects food-reward behaviors. Moreover, region-specific knock-down of NAPE-PLD in the VTA enhanced food-reward seeking and reinforced behaviors, which were associated with increased in vivo DA release dynamics in response to both food- and non-food-related rewards together with heightened tropism towards food consumption. Furthermore, midbrain knock-down of NAPE-PLD, which increased energy expenditure and adapted nutrient partitioning, elicited a relative protection against high-fat diet-mediated body fat gain and obesity-associated metabolic features. In conclusion, these findings reveal a new key role of VTA NAPE-PLD in shaping DA-dependent events, feeding behaviors and energy homeostasis, thus providing new insights on the regulation of body metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julien Castel
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Unité de Biologie Fonctionnelle et Adaptative, F-75013, Paris, France
| | - Guangping Li
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Unité de Biologie Fonctionnelle et Adaptative, F-75013, Paris, France
| | - Oriane Onimus
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Unité de Biologie Fonctionnelle et Adaptative, F-75013, Paris, France
| | - Emma Leishman
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University Bloomington, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - Patrice D Cani
- Metabolism and Nutrition Research group, Louvain Drug Research Institute (LDRI), UCLouvain, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
- WELBIO-Walloon Excellence in Life Sciences and Biotechnology, WELBIO department, WEL Research Institute, Wavre, Belgium
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Research (IREC), UCLouvain, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Heather Bradshaw
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University Bloomington, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - Ken Mackie
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University Bloomington, Bloomington, IN, USA
- Gill Center for Biomolecular Science, Indiana University Bloomington, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - Amandine Everard
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Unité de Biologie Fonctionnelle et Adaptative, F-75013, Paris, France
- Metabolism and Nutrition Research group, Louvain Drug Research Institute (LDRI), UCLouvain, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
- WELBIO-Walloon Excellence in Life Sciences and Biotechnology, WELBIO department, WEL Research Institute, Wavre, Belgium
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Research (IREC), UCLouvain, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Serge Luquet
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Unité de Biologie Fonctionnelle et Adaptative, F-75013, Paris, France.
| | - Giuseppe Gangarossa
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Unité de Biologie Fonctionnelle et Adaptative, F-75013, Paris, France.
- Institut universitaire de France (IUF), Paris, France.
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5
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Gereau GB, Zhou D, Van Voorhies K, Tyler RE, Campbell J, Murray JG, Alvarez-Pamir A, Wykoff LA, Companion MA, Jackson MR, Olson SH, Barak LS, Slosky LM, Vetreno RP, Besheer J, McElligott ZA. β-arrestin-biased Allosteric Modulator of Neurotensin Receptor 1 Reduces Ethanol Drinking and Responses to Ethanol Administration in Rodents. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.10.588903. [PMID: 38645173 PMCID: PMC11030371 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.10.588903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
Alcohol use disorders (AUDs) impose an enormous societal and financial burden, and world-wide, alcohol misuse is the 7th leading cause of premature death1. Despite this, there are currently only 3 FDA approved pharmacological treatments for the treatment of AUDs in the United States. The neurotensin (Nts) system has long been implicated in modulating behaviors associated with alcohol misuse. Recently, a novel compound, SBI-553, that biases the action of Nts receptor 1 (NTSR1) activation, has shown promise in preclinical models of psychostimulant misuse. Here we investigate the efficacy of this compound to alter ethanol-mediated behaviors in a comprehensive battery of experiments assessing ethanol consumption, behavioral responses to ethanol, sensitivity to ethanol, and ethanol metabolism. Additionally, we investigated behavior in avoidance and cognitive assays to monitor potential side effects of SBI-553. We find that SBI-553 reduces binge-like ethanol consumption in mice without altering avoidance behavior or novel object recognition. We also observe sex-dependent differences in physiological responses to sequential ethanol injections in mice. In rats, we show that SBI-553 attenuates sensitivity to the interoceptive effects of ethanol (using a Pavlovian drug discrimination task). Our data suggest that targeting NTSR1 signaling may be promising to attenuate alcohol misuse, and adds to a body of literature that suggests NTSR1 may be a common downstream target involved in the psychoactive effects of multiple reinforcing substances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Graydon B Gereau
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA
| | - Diana Zhou
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA
| | - Kalynn Van Voorhies
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA
| | - Ryan E Tyler
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA
| | - Jeffrey Campbell
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA
| | - Jackson G Murray
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA
| | - Ali Alvarez-Pamir
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA
| | - Luke A Wykoff
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA
| | - Michel A Companion
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA
| | | | | | | | - Lauren M Slosky
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, USA
| | - Ryan P Vetreno
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA
| | - Joyce Besheer
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA
| | - Zoe A McElligott
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA
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6
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Hamzehpour L, Bohn T, Jaspers L, Grimm O. Exploring the link between functional connectivity of ventral tegmental area and physical fitness in schizophrenia and healthy controls. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2023; 76:77-86. [PMID: 37562082 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2023.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
Decreased physical fitness and being overweight are highly prevalent in schizophrenia, represent a major risk factor for comorbid cardio-vascular diseases and decrease the life expectancy of the patients. Thus, it is important to understand the underlying mechanisms that link psychopathology and weight gain. We hypothesize that the dopaminergic reward system plays an important role in this. We analyzed the seed-based functional connectivity (FC) of the ventral tegmental area (VTA) in a group of schizophrenic patients (n=32) and age-, as well as gender-, matched healthy controls (n=27). We then correlated the resting-state results with physical fitness parameters, obtained in a fitness test, and psychopathology. The FC analysis revealed decreased functional connections between the VTA and the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), as well as the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, which negatively correlated with psychopathology, and increased FC between the VTA and the middle temporal gyrus in patients compared to healthy controls, which positively correlated with psychopathology. The decreased FC between the VTA and the ACC of the patient group further positively correlated with total body fat (p = .018, FDR-corr.) and negatively correlated with the overall physical fitness (p = .022). This study indicates a link between decreased physical fitness and higher body fat with functional dysconnectivity between the VTA and the ACC. These findings demonstrate that a dysregulated reward system might also be involved in comorbidities and could pave the way for future lifestyle therapy interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara Hamzehpour
- Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Heinrich-Hoffmann-Straße 10, 60528, Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Goethe University Frankfurt, Faculty 15 Biological Sciences, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
| | - Tamara Bohn
- Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Heinrich-Hoffmann-Straße 10, 60528, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Lucia Jaspers
- Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Heinrich-Hoffmann-Straße 10, 60528, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Oliver Grimm
- Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Heinrich-Hoffmann-Straße 10, 60528, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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7
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Castel J, Li G, Oriane O, Leishman E, Cani PD, Bradshaw H, Mackie K, Everard A, Luquet S, Gangarossa G. NAPE-PLD in the ventral tegmental area regulates reward events, feeding and energy homeostasis. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-3199777. [PMID: 37790425 PMCID: PMC10543029 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3199777/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
The N-acyl phosphatidylethanolamine-specific phospholipase D (NAPE-PLD) catalyzes the production of N-acylethanolamines (NAEs), a family of endogenous bioactive lipids, which are involved in various biological processes ranging from neuronal functions to energy homeostasis and feeding behaviors. Reward-dependent behaviors depend on dopamine (DA) transmission between the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and the nucleus accumbens (NAc), which conveys reward-values and scales reinforced behaviors. However, whether and how NAPE-PLD may contribute to the regulation of feeding and reward-dependent behaviors has not yet been investigated. This biological question is of paramount importance since NAEs are altered in obesity and metabolic disorders. Here, we show that transcriptomic meta-analysis highlights a potential role for NAPE-PLD within the VTA®NAc circuit. Using brain-specific invalidation approaches, we report that the integrity of NAPE-PLD is required for the proper homeostasis of NAEs within the midbrain VTA and it affects food-reward behaviors. Moreover, region-specific knock-down of NAPE-PLD in the VTA enhanced food-reward seeking and reinforced behaviors, which were associated with increased in vivo DA release dynamics in response to both food and non-food-related rewards together with heightened tropism towards food consumption. Furthermore, midbrain knock-down of NAPE-PLD, which increased energy expenditure and adapted nutrient partitioning, elicited a relative protection against high-fat diet-mediated body fat gain and obesity-associated metabolic features. In conclusion, these findings reveal a new key role of VTA NAPE-PLD in shaping DA-dependent events, feeding behaviors and energy homeostasis, thus providing new insights on the regulation of body metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julien Castel
- Université de Paris, CNRS, Unité de Biologie Fonctionnelle et Adaptative, F-75013 Paris, France
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8
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Singhal SM, Zell V, Faget L, Slosky LM, Barak LS, Caron MG, Pinkerton AB, Hnasko TS. Neurotensin receptor 1-biased ligand attenuates neurotensin-mediated excitation of ventral tegmental area dopamine neurons and dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens. Neuropharmacology 2023; 234:109544. [PMID: 37055008 PMCID: PMC10192038 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2023.109544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/15/2023]
Abstract
Strong expression of the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) neurotensin receptor 1 (NTR1) in ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine (DA) neurons and terminals makes it an attractive target to modulate DA neuron activity and normalize DA-related pathologies. Recent studies have identified a novel class of NTR1 ligand that shows promising effects in preclinical models of addiction. A lead molecule, SBI-0654553 (SBI-553), can act as a positive allosteric modulator of NTR1 β-arrestin recruitment while simultaneously antagonizing NTR1 Gq protein signaling. Using cell-attached recordings from mouse VTA DA neurons we discovered that, unlike neurotensin (NT), SBI-553 did not independently increase spontaneous firing. Instead, SBI-553 blocked the NT-mediated increase in firing. SBI-553 also antagonized the effects of NT on dopamine D2 auto-receptor signaling, potentially through its inhibitory effects on G-protein signaling. We also measured DA release directly, using fast-scan cyclic voltammetry in the nucleus accumbens and observed antagonist effects of SBI-553 on an NT-induced increase in DA release. Further, in vivo administration of SBI-553 did not notably change basal or cocaine-evoked DA release measured in NAc using fiber photometry. Overall, these results indicate that SBI-553 blunts NT's effects on spontaneous DA neuron firing, D2 auto-receptor function, and DA release, without independently affecting these measures. In the presence of NT, SBI-553 has an inhibitory effect on mesolimbic DA activity, which could contribute to its efficacy in animal models of psychostimulant use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarthak M Singhal
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Vivien Zell
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Lauren Faget
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Lauren M Slosky
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | | | - Marc G Caron
- Departments of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Anthony B Pinkerton
- Conrad Prebys Center for Chemical Genomics, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Thomas S Hnasko
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Research Service, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, USA.
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9
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Beckinghausen J, Ortiz-Guzman J, Lin T, Bachman B, Salazar Leon LE, Liu Y, Heck DH, Arenkiel BR, Sillitoe RV. The cerebellum contributes to generalized seizures by altering activity in the ventral posteromedial nucleus. Commun Biol 2023; 6:731. [PMID: 37454228 PMCID: PMC10349834 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05100-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Thalamo-cortical networks are central to seizures, yet it is unclear how these circuits initiate seizures. We test whether a facial region of the thalamus, the ventral posteromedial nucleus (VPM), is a source of generalized, convulsive motor seizures and if convergent VPM input drives the behavior. To address this question, we devise an in vivo optogenetic mouse model to elicit convulsive motor seizures by driving these inputs and perform single-unit recordings during awake, convulsive seizures to define the local activity of thalamic neurons before, during, and after seizure onset. We find dynamic activity with biphasic properties, raising the possibility that heterogenous activity promotes seizures. Virus tracing identifies cerebellar and cerebral cortical afferents as robust contributors to the seizures. Of these inputs, only microinfusion of lidocaine into the cerebellar nuclei blocks seizure initiation. Our data reveal the VPM as a source of generalized convulsive seizures, with cerebellar input providing critical signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaclyn Beckinghausen
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute of Texas Children's Hospital, 1250 Moursund Street, Suite 1325, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Joshua Ortiz-Guzman
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute of Texas Children's Hospital, 1250 Moursund Street, Suite 1325, Houston, TX, USA
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Tao Lin
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute of Texas Children's Hospital, 1250 Moursund Street, Suite 1325, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Benjamin Bachman
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Luis E Salazar Leon
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute of Texas Children's Hospital, 1250 Moursund Street, Suite 1325, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Yu Liu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth, 103515 University Dr., Duluth, MN, USA
| | - Detlef H Heck
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth, 103515 University Dr., Duluth, MN, USA
| | - Benjamin R Arenkiel
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute of Texas Children's Hospital, 1250 Moursund Street, Suite 1325, Houston, TX, USA
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Roy V Sillitoe
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute of Texas Children's Hospital, 1250 Moursund Street, Suite 1325, Houston, TX, USA.
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
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10
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Llido JP, Fioriti E, Pascut D, Giuffrè M, Bottin C, Zanconati F, Tiribelli C, Gazzin S. Bilirubin-Induced Transcriptomic Imprinting in Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:834. [PMID: 37372119 DOI: 10.3390/biology12060834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
Recent findings indicated aberrant epigenetic control of the central nervous system (CNS) development in hyperbilirubinemic Gunn rats as an additional cause of cerebellar hypoplasia, the landmark of bilirubin neurotoxicity in rodents. Because the symptoms in severely hyperbilirubinemic human neonates suggest other regions as privileged targets of bilirubin neurotoxicity, we expanded the study of the potential impact of bilirubin on the control of postnatal brain development to regions correlating with human symptoms. Histology, transcriptomic, gene correlation, and behavioral studies were performed. The histology revealed widespread perturbation 9 days after birth, restoring in adulthood. At the genetic level, regional differences were noticed. Bilirubin affected synaptogenesis, repair, differentiation, energy, extracellular matrix development, etc., with transient alterations in the hippocampus (memory, learning, and cognition) and inferior colliculi (auditory functions) but permanent changes in the parietal cortex. Behavioral tests confirmed the presence of a permanent motor disability. The data correlate well both with the clinic description of neonatal bilirubin-induced neurotoxicity, as well as with the neurologic syndromes reported in adults that suffered neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. The results pave the way for better deciphering the neurotoxic features of bilirubin and evaluating deeply the efficacy of new therapeutic approaches against the acute and long-lasting sequels of bilirubin neurotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Paul Llido
- Liver Brain Unit "Rita Moretti", Fondazione Italiana Fegato-Onlus, Bldg. Q, AREA Science Park, 34149 Basovizza, Italy
- Department of Science and Technology, Philippine Council for Health Research and Development, Bicutan, Taguig City 1631, Philippines
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34139 Trieste, Italy
| | - Emanuela Fioriti
- Liver Brain Unit "Rita Moretti", Fondazione Italiana Fegato-Onlus, Bldg. Q, AREA Science Park, 34149 Basovizza, Italy
| | - Devis Pascut
- Liver Cancer Unit, Fondazione Italiana Fegato-Onlus, Bldg. Q, AREA Science Park, 34149 Basovizza, Italy
| | - Mauro Giuffrè
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Cristina Bottin
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Zanconati
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Claudio Tiribelli
- Liver Brain Unit "Rita Moretti", Fondazione Italiana Fegato-Onlus, Bldg. Q, AREA Science Park, 34149 Basovizza, Italy
| | - Silvia Gazzin
- Liver Brain Unit "Rita Moretti", Fondazione Italiana Fegato-Onlus, Bldg. Q, AREA Science Park, 34149 Basovizza, Italy
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11
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Bumbak F, Bower JB, Zemmer SC, Inoue A, Pons M, Paniagua JC, Yan F, Ford J, Wu H, Robson SA, Bathgate RAD, Scott DJ, Gooley PR, Ziarek JJ. Stabilization of pre-existing neurotensin receptor conformational states by β-arrestin-1 and the biased allosteric modulator ML314. Nat Commun 2023; 14:3328. [PMID: 37286565 PMCID: PMC10247727 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38894-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The neurotensin receptor 1 (NTS1) is a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) with promise as a drug target for the treatment of pain, schizophrenia, obesity, addiction, and various cancers. A detailed picture of the NTS1 structural landscape has been established by X-ray crystallography and cryo-EM and yet, the molecular determinants for why a receptor couples to G protein versus arrestin transducers remain poorly defined. We used 13CεH3-methionine NMR spectroscopy to show that binding of phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) to the receptor's intracellular surface allosterically tunes the timescale of motions at the orthosteric pocket and conserved activation motifs - without dramatically altering the structural ensemble. β-arrestin-1 further remodels the receptor ensemble by reducing conformational exchange kinetics for a subset of resonances, whereas G protein coupling has little to no effect on exchange rates. A β-arrestin biased allosteric modulator transforms the NTS1:G protein complex into a concatenation of substates, without triggering transducer dissociation, suggesting that it may function by stabilizing signaling incompetent G protein conformations such as the non-canonical state. Together, our work demonstrates the importance of kinetic information to a complete picture of the GPCR activation landscape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Bumbak
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, 47405, USA.
- ARC Centre for Cryo-electron Microscopy of Membrane Proteins and Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia.
| | - James B Bower
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, 47405, USA
| | - Skylar C Zemmer
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, 47405, USA
| | - Asuka Inoue
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8578, Japan
| | - Miquel Pons
- Biomolecular NMR laboratory, Department of Inorganic and Organic Chemistry, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Juan Carlos Paniagua
- Department of Materials Science and Physical Chemistry & Institute of Theoretical and Computational Chemistry (IQTCUB), Universitat de Barcelona (UB), 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Fei Yan
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - James Ford
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, 47405-7102, USA
| | - Hongwei Wu
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, 47405-7102, USA
- School of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
| | - Scott A Robson
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, 47405, USA
| | - Ross A D Bathgate
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health and Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Daniel J Scott
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health and Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Paul R Gooley
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Joshua J Ziarek
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, 47405, USA.
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12
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Jin R, Sun S, Hu Y, Zhang H, Sun X. Neuropeptides Modulate Feeding via the Dopamine Reward Pathway. Neurochem Res 2023:10.1007/s11064-023-03954-4. [PMID: 37233918 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-023-03954-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2023] [Revised: 05/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Dopamine (DA) is a catecholamine neurotransmitter widely distributed in the central nervous system. It participates in various physiological functions, such as feeding, anxiety, fear, sleeping and arousal. The regulation of feeding is exceptionally complex, involving energy homeostasis and reward motivation. The reward system comprises the ventral tegmental area (VTA), nucleus accumbens (NAc), hypothalamus, and limbic system. This paper illustrates the detailed mechanisms of eight typical orexigenic and anorexic neuropeptides that regulate food intake through the reward system. According to recent literature, neuropeptides released from the hypothalamus and other brain regions regulate reward feeding predominantly through dopaminergic neurons projecting from the VTA to the NAc. In addition, their effect on the dopaminergic system is mediated by the prefrontal cortex, paraventricular thalamus, laterodorsal tegmental area, amygdala, and complex neural circuits. Research on neuropeptides involved in reward feeding can help identify more targets to treat diseases with metabolic disorders, such as obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruijie Jin
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Shanbin Sun
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Yang Hu
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Hongfei Zhang
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Xiangrong Sun
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China.
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13
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Gan Z, Gangadharan V, Liu S, Körber C, Tan LL, Li H, Oswald MJ, Kang J, Martin-Cortecero J, Männich D, Groh A, Kuner T, Wieland S, Kuner R. Layer-specific pain relief pathways originating from primary motor cortex. Science 2022; 378:1336-1343. [PMID: 36548429 DOI: 10.1126/science.add4391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The primary motor cortex (M1) is involved in the control of voluntary movements and is extensively mapped in this capacity. Although the M1 is implicated in modulation of pain, the underlying circuitry and causal underpinnings remain elusive. We unexpectedly unraveled a connection from the M1 to the nucleus accumbens reward circuitry through a M1 layer 6-mediodorsal thalamus pathway, which specifically suppresses negative emotional valence and associated coping behaviors in neuropathic pain. By contrast, layer 5 M1 neurons connect with specific cell populations in zona incerta and periaqueductal gray to suppress sensory hypersensitivity without altering pain affect. Thus, the M1 employs distinct, layer-specific pathways to attune sensory and aversive-emotional components of neuropathic pain, which can be exploited for purposes of pain relief.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Gan
- Pharmacology Institute, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Vijayan Gangadharan
- Pharmacology Institute, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sheng Liu
- Pharmacology Institute, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christoph Körber
- Department of Functional Neuroanatomy, Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Linette Liqi Tan
- Pharmacology Institute, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Han Li
- Pharmacology Institute, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Manfred Josef Oswald
- Pharmacology Institute, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Juhyun Kang
- Pharmacology Institute, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jesus Martin-Cortecero
- Institute for Physiology and Pathophysiology, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Deepitha Männich
- Pharmacology Institute, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Alexander Groh
- Institute for Physiology and Pathophysiology, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Thomas Kuner
- Department of Functional Neuroanatomy, Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Wieland
- Department of Functional Neuroanatomy, Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of General Internal Medicine and Psychosomatics, Medical Faculty Heidelberg and University Clinic Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Rohini Kuner
- Pharmacology Institute, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
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14
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Furlan A, Corona A, Boyle S, Sharma R, Rubino R, Habel J, Gablenz EC, Giovanniello J, Beyaz S, Janowitz T, Shea SD, Li B. Neurotensin neurons in the extended amygdala control dietary choice and energy homeostasis. Nat Neurosci 2022; 25:1470-1480. [PMID: 36266470 PMCID: PMC9682790 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-022-01178-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Obesity is a global pandemic that is causally linked to many life-threatening diseases. Apart from some rare genetic conditions, the biological drivers of overeating and reduced activity are unclear. Here, we show that neurotensin-expressing neurons in the mouse interstitial nucleus of the posterior limb of the anterior commissure (IPAC), a nucleus of the central extended amygdala, encode dietary preference for unhealthy energy-dense foods. Optogenetic activation of IPACNts neurons promotes obesogenic behaviors, such as hedonic eating, and modulates food preference. Conversely, acute inhibition of IPACNts neurons reduces feeding and decreases hedonic eating. Chronic inactivation of IPACNts neurons recapitulates these effects, reduces preference for sweet, non-caloric tastants and, furthermore, enhances locomotion and energy expenditure; as a result, mice display long-term weight loss and improved metabolic health and are protected from obesity. Thus, the activity of a single neuronal population bidirectionally regulates energy homeostasis. Our findings could lead to new therapeutic strategies to prevent and treat obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Furlan
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA,Correspondence: (A.F.); (B.L.)
| | - Alberto Corona
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA,School of Biological Sciences, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA,These authors contributed equally
| | - Sara Boyle
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA,School of Biological Sciences, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA,These authors contributed equally
| | | | - Rachel Rubino
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA
| | - Jill Habel
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA
| | - Eva Carlotta Gablenz
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA,Ruprecht-Karls-University Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jacqueline Giovanniello
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA,School of Biological Sciences, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA
| | - Semir Beyaz
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA
| | - Tobias Janowitz
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA
| | | | - Bo Li
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA,Correspondence: (A.F.); (B.L.)
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15
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Perez-Bonilla P, Ramirez-Virella J, Menon P, Troyano-Rodriguez E, Arriaga SK, Makela A, Bugescu R, Beckstead MJ, Leinninger GM. Developmental or adult-onset deletion of neurotensin receptor-1 from dopamine neurons differentially reduces body weight. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:874316. [PMID: 36213756 PMCID: PMC9537700 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.874316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Central neurotensin signaling via neurotensin receptor-1 (NtsR1) modulates various aspects of physiology, including suppressing feeding and promoting locomotor activity that can support weight loss. However, it remains unclear when and where NtsR1 expression contributes to control of body weight vs. other effects. We previously showed that activating ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine (DA) neurons that express NtsR1 promotes weight loss. We therefore hypothesized that deleting NtsR1 from DA neurons would promote weight gain by increasing food intake and decreasing physical activity. In contrast, developmental deletion of NtsR1 from DA neurons (by crossing DATCre mice with NtsR1flox/flox mice) had no impact on the feeding or body weight of mice fed a chow diet, though it augmented locomotor activity. Developmental deletion of NtsR1 from DA neurons protected mice from diet-induced obesity, but not via altering feeding, physical activity, or energy expenditure. Given that NtsR1 may exert distinct roles within development vs. adulthood, we then examined the impact of adult-onset deletion of NtsR1 from VTA DA neurons. We injected adult NtsR1flox/flox mice in the VTA with adeno associated virus to Cre-dependently delete NtsR1 in the VTA (VTAR1Null mice) and compared them to mice with intact NtsR1 (Controls). Again, in contrast to our hypothesis, VTAR1Null mice gained less weight than Controls while on normal chow or high fat diets. Moreover, VTAR1Null mice exhibited blunted feeding after fasting, suggesting a role for NtsR1 in adult VTA DA neurons in coordinating energy need and intake. Altogether, these data suggest that intact expression of NtsR1 in DA neurons is necessary for appropriate regulation of body weight, but a lack of NtsR1 in the developing vs. adult DA system protects from weight gain via different mechanisms. These findings emphasize the need for temporal and site-specific resolution to fully understand the role of NtsR1 within the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Perez-Bonilla
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Jariel Ramirez-Virella
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Pooja Menon
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Eva Troyano-Rodriguez
- Aging and Metabolism Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK, United States
| | - Sydney K. Arriaga
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Anna Makela
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Raluca Bugescu
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Michael J. Beckstead
- Aging and Metabolism Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK, United States
- Oklahoma City Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Oklahoma City, OK, United States
| | - Gina M. Leinninger
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
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16
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Leung HW, Foo G, VanDongen A. Arc Regulates Transcription of Genes for Plasticity, Excitability and Alzheimer’s Disease. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10081946. [PMID: 36009494 PMCID: PMC9405677 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10081946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Revised: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The immediate early gene Arc is a master regulator of synaptic function and a critical determinant of memory consolidation. Here, we show that Arc interacts with dynamic chromatin and closely associates with histone markers for active enhancers and transcription in cultured rat hippocampal neurons. Both these histone modifications, H3K27Ac and H3K9Ac, have recently been shown to be upregulated in late-onset Alzheimer’s disease (AD). When Arc induction by pharmacological network activation was prevented using a short hairpin RNA, the expression profile was altered for over 1900 genes, which included genes associated with synaptic function, neuronal plasticity, intrinsic excitability, and signalling pathways. Interestingly, about 100 Arc-dependent genes are associated with the pathophysiology of AD. When endogenous Arc expression was induced in HEK293T cells, the transcription of many neuronal genes was increased, suggesting that Arc can control expression in the absence of activated signalling pathways. Taken together, these data establish Arc as a master regulator of neuronal activity-dependent gene expression and suggest that it plays a significant role in the pathophysiology of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gabriel Foo
- Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore
| | - Antonius VanDongen
- Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Correspondence:
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17
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Dunigan AI, Roseberry AG. Actions of feeding-related peptides on the mesolimbic dopamine system in regulation of natural and drug rewards. ADDICTION NEUROSCIENCE 2022; 2:100011. [PMID: 37220637 PMCID: PMC10201992 DOI: 10.1016/j.addicn.2022.100011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
The mesolimbic dopamine system is the primary neural circuit mediating motivation, reinforcement, and reward-related behavior. The activity of this system and multiple behaviors controlled by it are affected by changes in feeding and body weight, such as fasting, food restriction, or the development of obesity. Multiple different peptides and hormones that have been implicated in the control of feeding and body weight interact with the mesolimbic dopamine system to regulate many different dopamine-dependent, reward-related behaviors. In this review, we summarize the effects of a selected set of feeding-related peptides and hormones acting within the ventral tegmental area and nucleus accumbens to alter feeding, as well as food, drug, and social reward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna I. Dunigan
- Department of Biology and Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Aaron G. Roseberry
- Department of Biology and Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
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18
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Watts AG, Kanoski SE, Sanchez-Watts G, Langhans W. The physiological control of eating: signals, neurons, and networks. Physiol Rev 2022; 102:689-813. [PMID: 34486393 PMCID: PMC8759974 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00028.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
During the past 30 yr, investigating the physiology of eating behaviors has generated a truly vast literature. This is fueled in part by a dramatic increase in obesity and its comorbidities that has coincided with an ever increasing sophistication of genetically based manipulations. These techniques have produced results with a remarkable degree of cell specificity, particularly at the cell signaling level, and have played a lead role in advancing the field. However, putting these findings into a brain-wide context that connects physiological signals and neurons to behavior and somatic physiology requires a thorough consideration of neuronal connections: a field that has also seen an extraordinary technological revolution. Our goal is to present a comprehensive and balanced assessment of how physiological signals associated with energy homeostasis interact at many brain levels to control eating behaviors. A major theme is that these signals engage sets of interacting neural networks throughout the brain that are defined by specific neural connections. We begin by discussing some fundamental concepts, including ones that still engender vigorous debate, that provide the necessary frameworks for understanding how the brain controls meal initiation and termination. These include key word definitions, ATP availability as the pivotal regulated variable in energy homeostasis, neuropeptide signaling, homeostatic and hedonic eating, and meal structure. Within this context, we discuss network models of how key regions in the endbrain (or telencephalon), hypothalamus, hindbrain, medulla, vagus nerve, and spinal cord work together with the gastrointestinal tract to enable the complex motor events that permit animals to eat in diverse situations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan G Watts
- The Department of Biological Sciences, Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Scott E Kanoski
- The Department of Biological Sciences, Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Graciela Sanchez-Watts
- The Department of Biological Sciences, Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Wolfgang Langhans
- Physiology and Behavior Laboratory, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule-Zürich, Schwerzenbach, Switzerland
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19
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Voyer D, Einsiedel J, Gmeiner P, Lévesque D, Rompré P. Sensitization to amphetamine psychostimulant effect: A key role for ventral tegmental area neurotensin type 2 receptors and MAP kinase pathway. Addict Biol 2021; 26:e13008. [PMID: 33491227 DOI: 10.1111/adb.13008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Revised: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Neurotensin is an endogenous neuropeptide that acts as a potent modulator of ventral tegmental area (VTA) neurotransmission. The present study was aimed at determining VTA cell population and neurotensin receptor subtype responsible for the initiation of amphetamine-induced psychomotor activity and extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK1/2) sensitization. During an induction phase, rats were injected intra-VTA on two occasions, every second day, with [D-Tyr11 ]-neurotensin (D-Tyr-NT), SR142948 (a mix Ntsr1/Ntsr2 receptor subtype antagonist), SR48692 (a Ntsr1 antagonist), D-Tyr-NT + SR142498, D-Tyr-NT + SR48692, or the vehicle. Effects of intra-VTA drugs were evaluated at locomotor activity and ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Five days after the last VTA microinjection, the effect of a systemic injection of amphetamine was tested (sensitization test). Results show that D-Tyr-NT stimulated locomotor activity during the induction phase, an effect that was blocked by SR142948, but not SR48692. Amphetamine also induced significantly higher ambulatory activity in rats preinjected with D-Tyr-NT than in rats preinjected with the vehicle. This sensitization effect was again attenuated by SR142948, but not SR48692, hence suggesting that this effect is mediated by Ntsr2 receptors. To confirm this, we tested a highly selective Ntsr2 peptide-peptoid hybrid ligand, NT150. At the concentration tested, NT150 stimulated locomotor activity and lead to sensitized locomotor activity and a selective neurochemical (pERK1/2) response in tyrosine hydroxylase-positive neurons of the VTA. Both effects were prevented by SR142948. Taken together, these results show that neurotensin, acting on Ntsr2 receptor subtypes, stimulates locomotor activity and initiates neural changes (ERK1/2 phosphorylation) that lead to amphetamine-induced sensitization.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Voyer
- Faculty of Pharmacy University of Montreal Montreal Quebec Canada
| | - Jürgen Einsiedel
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy University of Erlangen‐Nuremberg, Emil Fischer Center Erlangen Germany
| | - Peter Gmeiner
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy University of Erlangen‐Nuremberg, Emil Fischer Center Erlangen Germany
| | - Daniel Lévesque
- Faculty of Pharmacy University of Montreal Montreal Quebec Canada
| | - Pierre‐Paul Rompré
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine University of Montreal Montreal Quebec Canada
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20
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Ratner C, Shin JH, Dwibedi C, Tremaroli V, Bjerregaard A, Hartmann B, Bäckhed F, Leinninger G, Seeley RJ, Holst B. Anorexia and Fat Aversion Induced by Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Is Attenuated in Neurotensin Receptor 1-Deficient Mice. Endocrinology 2021; 162:6311588. [PMID: 34190328 PMCID: PMC8294690 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqab130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Neurotensin (NT) is an anorexic gut hormone and neuropeptide that increases in circulation following bariatric surgery in humans and rodents. We sought to determine the contribution of NT to the metabolic efficacy of vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG). To explore a potential mechanistic role of NT in VSG, we performed sham or VSG surgeries in diet-induced obese NT receptor 1 (NTSR1) wild-type and knockout (ko) mice and compared their weight and fat mass loss, glucose tolerance, food intake, and food preference after surgery. NTSR1 ko mice had reduced initial anorexia and body fat loss. Additionally, NTSR1 ko mice had an attenuated reduction in fat preference following VSG. Results from this study suggest that NTSR1 signaling contributes to the potent effect of VSG to initially reduce food intake following VSG surgeries and potentially also on the effects on macronutrient selection induced by VSG. However, maintenance of long-term weight loss after VSG requires signals in addition to NT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Ratner
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Correspondence: Cecilia Ratner, University of Copenhagen: Kobenhavns Universitet, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200, Copenhagen N, Denmark. E-mail:
| | - Jae Hoon Shin
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Chinmay Dwibedi
- Wallenberg Laboratory, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | | | - Anette Bjerregaard
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Bolette Hartmann
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Fredrik Bäckhed
- Wallenberg Laboratory, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Region Västra Götaland, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Department of Clinical Physiology, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Gina Leinninger
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Randy J Seeley
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Birgitte Holst
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Correspondence: Birgitte Holst, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark.
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21
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Mitra S, Basu S, Singh O, Lechan RM, Singru PS. Cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript peptide- and dopamine-containing systems interact in the ventral tegmental area of the zebra finch, Taeniopygia guttata, during dynamic changes in energy status. Brain Struct Funct 2021; 226:2537-2559. [PMID: 34392422 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-021-02348-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The mesolimbic dopamine (DA)-pathway regulates food-reward, feeding-related behaviour and energy balance. Evidence underscores the importance of feeding-related neuropeptides in modulating activity of these DA neurons. The neuropeptide, CART, a crucial regulator of energy balance, modulates DA-release, and influences the activity of ventral tegmental area (VTA) DAergic neurons in the mammalian brain. Whether CART- and DA-containing systems interact at the level of VTA to regulate energy balance, however, is poorly understood. We explored the interaction between CART- and DA-containing systems in midbrain of the zebra finch, Taeniopygia guttata, an interesting model to study dynamic changes in energy balance due to higher BMR/daytime body temperature, and rapid responsiveness of the feeding-related neuropeptides to changes in energy state. Further, its midbrain DA-neurons share similarities with those in mammals. In the midbrain, tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive (TH-i) neurons were seen in the substantia nigra (SN) and VTA [anterior (VTAa), mid (VTAm) and caudal (VTAc)]; those in VTA were smaller. In the VTA, CART-immunoreactive (CART-i)-fibers densely innervated TH-i neurons, and both CART-immunoreactivity (CART-ir) and TH-immunoreactivity (TH-ir) responded to energy status-dependent changes. Compared to fed and fasted birds, refeeding dramatically enhanced TH-ir and the percentage of TH-i neurons co-expressing FOS in the VTA. Increased prepro-CART-mRNA, CART-ir and a transient appearance of CART-i neurons was observed in VTAa of fasted, but not fed birds. To test the functional interaction between CART- and DA-containing systems, ex-vivo superfused midbrain-slices were treated with CART-peptide and changes in TH-ir analysed. Compared to control tissues, CART-treatment increased TH-ir in VTA but not SN. We propose that CART is a potential regulator of VTA DA-neurons and energy balance in T. guttata.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saptarsi Mitra
- School of Biological Sciences, National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER)-Bhubaneswar, P.O. Jatni, Khurda, Odisha, 752050, India.,Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, 400094, India
| | - Sumela Basu
- School of Biological Sciences, National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER)-Bhubaneswar, P.O. Jatni, Khurda, Odisha, 752050, India.,Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, 400094, India
| | - Omprakash Singh
- School of Biological Sciences, National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER)-Bhubaneswar, P.O. Jatni, Khurda, Odisha, 752050, India.,Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, 400094, India
| | - Ronald M Lechan
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Tupper Research Institute, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, USA
| | - Praful S Singru
- School of Biological Sciences, National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER)-Bhubaneswar, P.O. Jatni, Khurda, Odisha, 752050, India. .,Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, 400094, India.
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22
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Perez-Bonilla P, Santiago-Colon K, Matasovsky J, Ramirez-Virella J, Khan R, Garver H, Fink G, Dorrance AM, Leinninger GM. Activation of ventral tegmental area neurotensin Receptor-1 neurons promotes weight loss. Neuropharmacology 2021; 195:108639. [PMID: 34116109 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Dopamine (DA) neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) modulate physical activity and feeding behaviors that are disrupted in obesity. Yet, the heterogeneity of VTA DA neurons has hindered determination of which ones might be leveraged to support weight loss. We hypothesized that increased activity in the subset of VTA DA neurons expressing neurotensin receptor-1 (NtsR1) might promote weight loss behaviors. To test this, we used Designer Receptors Exclusively Activated by Designer Drugs (DREADDs) to activate VTA NtsR1 neurons in normal weight and diet-induced obese mice. Acute activation of VTA NtsR1 neurons (24hr) significantly decreased body weight in normal weight and obese mice by reducing food intake and increasing physical activity. Moreover, daily activation of VTA NtsR1 neurons in obese mice sustained weight loss over 7 days. Activating VTA NtsR1 neurons also suppressed how much mice worked to obtain sucrose rewards, even when there was high motivation to consume. However, VTA NtsR1 neural activation was not reinforcing, nor did it invoke liabilities associated with whole-body NtsR1 agonism such as anxiety, vasodepressor response or hypothermia. Activating VTA NtsR1 neurons therefore promotes dual behaviors that support weight loss without causing adverse effects, and is worth further exploration for managing obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Perez-Bonilla
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48114, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, East Lansing, MI, 48114, USA
| | | | - Jillian Matasovsky
- Department of Physiology and College of Natural Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48114, USA
| | - Jariel Ramirez-Virella
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48114, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, East Lansing, MI, 48114, USA
| | - Rabail Khan
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48114, USA
| | - Hannah Garver
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, East Lansing, MI, 48114, USA
| | - Gregory Fink
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, East Lansing, MI, 48114, USA; College of Osteopathic Medicine, East Lansing, MI, 48114, USA
| | - Anne M Dorrance
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, East Lansing, MI, 48114, USA; College of Osteopathic Medicine, East Lansing, MI, 48114, USA
| | - Gina M Leinninger
- Department of Physiology and College of Natural Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48114, USA.
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23
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Ramirez-Virella J, Leinninger GM. The Role of Central Neurotensin in Regulating Feeding and Body Weight. Endocrinology 2021; 162:6144574. [PMID: 33599716 PMCID: PMC7951050 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqab038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The small peptide neurotensin (Nts) is implicated in myriad processes including analgesia, thermoregulation, reward, arousal, blood pressure, and modulation of feeding and body weight. Alterations in Nts have recently been described in individuals with obesity or eating disorders, suggesting that disrupted Nts signaling may contribute to body weight disturbance. Curiously, Nts mediates seemingly opposing regulation of body weight via different tissues. Peripherally acting Nts promotes fat absorption and weight gain, whereas central Nts signaling suppresses feeding and weight gain. Thus, because Nts is pleiotropic, a location-based approach must be used to understand its contributions to disordered body weight and whether the Nts system might be leveraged to improve metabolic health. Here we review the role of Nts signaling in the brain to understand the sites, receptors, and mechanisms by which Nts can promote behaviors that modify body weight. New techniques permitting site-specific modulation of Nts and Nts receptor-expressing cells suggest that, even in the brain, not all Nts circuitry exerts the same function. Intriguingly, there may be dedicated brain regions and circuits via which Nts specifically suppresses feeding behavior and weight gain vs other Nts-attributed physiology. Defining the central mechanisms by which Nts signaling modifies body weight may suggest strategies to correct disrupted energy balance, as needed to address overweight, obesity, and eating disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jariel Ramirez-Virella
- Neuroscience Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Gina M Leinninger
- Neuroscience Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
- Correspondence: Gina M. Leinninger, PhD, Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, 5400 ISTB, 766 Service Rd, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.
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24
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de Vrind VAJ, van ‘t Sant LJ, Rozeboom A, Luijendijk-Berg MCM, Omrani A, Adan RAH. Leptin Receptor Expressing Neurons in the Substantia Nigra Regulate Locomotion, and in The Ventral Tegmental Area Motivation and Feeding. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:680494. [PMID: 34276560 PMCID: PMC8281287 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.680494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Leptin is an anorexigenic hormone, important in the regulation of body weight. Leptin plays a role in food reward, feeding, locomotion and anxiety. Leptin receptors (LepR) are expressed in many brain areas, including the midbrain. In most studies that target the midbrain, either all LepR neurons of the midbrain or those of the ventral tegmental area (VTA) were targeted, but the role of substantia nigra (SN) LepR neurons has not been investigated. These studies have reported contradicting results regarding motivational behavior for food reward, feeding and locomotion. Since not all midbrain LepR mediated behaviors can be explained by LepR neurons in the VTA alone, we hypothesized that SN LepR neurons may provide further insight. We first characterized SN LepR and VTA LepR expression, which revealed LepR expression mainly on DA neurons. To further understand the role of midbrain LepR neurons in body weight regulation, we chemogenetically activated VTA LepR or SN LepR neurons in LepR-cre mice and tested for motivational behavior, feeding and locomotion. Activation of VTA LepR neurons in food restricted mice decreased motivation for food reward (p=0.032) and food intake (p=0.020), but not locomotion. In contrast, activation of SN LepR neurons in food restricted mice decreased locomotion (p=0.025), but not motivation for food reward or food intake. Our results provide evidence that VTA LepR and SN LepR neurons serve different functions, i.e. activation of VTA LepR neurons modulated motivation for food reward and feeding, while SN LepR neurons modulated locomotor activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Véronne A. J. de Vrind
- Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, Department of Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht and University Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Lisanne J. van ‘t Sant
- Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, Department of Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht and University Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Annemieke Rozeboom
- Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, Department of Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht and University Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Mieneke C. M. Luijendijk-Berg
- Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, Department of Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht and University Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Azar Omrani
- Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, Department of Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht and University Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Roger A. H. Adan
- Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, Department of Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht and University Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- *Correspondence: Roger A. H. Adan,
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25
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Dominguez‐Lopez S, Sharma R, Beckstead MJ. Neurotensin receptor 1 deletion decreases methamphetamine self-administration and the associated reduction in dopamine cell firing. Addict Biol 2021; 26:e12854. [PMID: 31742874 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2019] [Revised: 09/26/2019] [Accepted: 10/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
We previously reported that a non-selective pharmacological blockade of neurotensin receptors in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) decreases methamphetamine (METH) self-administration in mice. Here, we explored the consequences of genetic deletion of neurotensin receptor 1 (NtsR1) on METH self-administration and VTA dopamine neuron firing activity. We implanted mice with an indwelling jugular catheter and trained them to nose-poke for intravenous infusions of METH. Mice with NtsR1 deletion (KO) acquired self-administration similar to wildtype (WT) and heterozygous (HET) littermates. However, in NtsR1 KO and HET mice, METH intake and motivated METH seeking decreased when the response requirement was increased to a fixed ratio 3 and when mice were tested on a progressive ratio protocol. After completion of METH self-administration, single cell in vivo extracellular recordings of dopamine firing activity in the VTA were obtained in anesthetized mice. Non-bursting dopamine neurons from KO mice fired at slower rates than those from WT mice, supporting an excitatory role for NtsR1 on VTA dopamine neuronal activity. In WT mice, a history of METH self-administration decreased dopamine cell firing frequency compared with cells from drug-naïve controls. NtsR1 KO and HET mice did not exhibit this decline in dopamine cell firing activity after METH experience. We also observed an increase in population activity following METH self-administration that was strongest in the WT group. Our results suggest a role for NtsR1 in METH-seeking behavior and indicate that ablation of NtsR1 prevents the detrimental effects of prolonged METH self-administration on VTA dopamine cell firing frequency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Dominguez‐Lopez
- Aging & Metabolism Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation Oklahoma City OK USA
| | - Ramaswamy Sharma
- Department of Cell Systems & Anatomy, UT Health San Antonio San Antonio TX USA
| | - Michael J. Beckstead
- Aging & Metabolism Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation Oklahoma City OK USA
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26
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Perez-Bonilla P, Santiago-Colon K, Leinninger GM. Lateral hypothalamic area neuropeptides modulate ventral tegmental area dopamine neurons and feeding. Physiol Behav 2020; 223:112986. [PMID: 32492498 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2020.112986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2019] [Revised: 05/19/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Understanding how the brain coordinates energy status with the motivation to eat is crucial to identify strategies to improve disordered body weight. The ventral tegmental area (VTA), known as the core of the mesolimbic system, is of particular interest in this regard because it controls the motivation to consume palatable, calorie-dense foods and to engage in volitional activity. The VTA is largely composed of dopamine (DA) neurons, but modulating these DA neurons has been alternately linked with promoting and suppressing feeding, suggesting heterogeneity in their function. Subsets of VTA DA neurons have recently been described based on their anatomical distribution, electrophysiological features, connectivity and molecular expression, but to date there are no signatures to categorize how DA neurons control feeding. Assessing the neuropeptide receptors expressed by VTA DA neurons may be useful in this regard, as many neuropeptides mediate anorexic or orexigenic responses. In particular, the lateral hypothalamic area (LHA) releases a wide variety of feeding-modulating neuropeptides to the VTA. Since VTA neurons intercept LHA neuropeptides known to either evoke or suppress feeding, expression of the cognate neuropeptide receptors within the VTA may point to VTA DA neuronal mechanisms to promote or suppress feeding, respectively. Here we review the role of the VTA in energy balance and the LHA neuropeptide signaling systems that act in the VTA, whose receptors might be used to classify how VTA DA neurons contribute to energy balance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Perez-Bonilla
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, USA; Pharmacology and Toxicology Graduate Program, USA; Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48114, USA
| | - Krystal Santiago-Colon
- Department of Biology, University of Puerto Rico - Cayey, USA; Bridge to the PhD in Neuroscience Program, USA
| | - Gina M Leinninger
- Department of Physiology, USA; Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48114, USA.
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27
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Neurotensin in reward processes. Neuropharmacology 2020; 167:108005. [PMID: 32057800 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2020.108005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2019] [Revised: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Neurotensin (NTS) is a neuropeptide neurotransmitter expressed in the central and peripheral nervous systems. Many studies over the years have revealed a number of roles for this neuropeptide in body temperature regulation, feeding, analgesia, ethanol sensitivity, psychosis, substance use, and pain. This review provides a general survey of the role of neurotensin with a focus on modalities that we believe to be particularly relevant to the study of reward. We focus on NTS signaling in the ventral tegmental area, nucleus accumbens, lateral hypothalamus, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, and central amygdala. Studies on the role of NTS outside of the ventral tegmental area are still in their relative infancy, yet they reveal a complex role for neurotensinergic signaling in reward-related behaviors that merits further study. This article is part of the special issue on 'Neuropeptides'.
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28
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Godfrey N, Borgland SL. Diversity in the lateral hypothalamic input to the ventral tegmental area. Neuropharmacology 2019; 154:4-12. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2019.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2019] [Revised: 04/15/2019] [Accepted: 05/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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29
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Schroeder LE, Furdock R, Quiles CR, Kurt G, Perez-Bonilla P, Garcia A, Colon-Ortiz C, Brown J, Bugescu R, Leinninger GM. [Not Available]. Neuropeptides 2019; 76:101930. [PMID: 31079844 PMCID: PMC7721284 DOI: 10.1016/j.npep.2019.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2018] [Revised: 04/30/2019] [Accepted: 05/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Neurotensin (Nts) is a neuropeptide implicated in the regulation of many facets of physiology, including cardiovascular tone, pain processing, ingestive behaviors, locomotor drive, sleep, addiction and social behaviors. Yet, there is incomplete understanding about how the various populations of Nts neurons distributed throughout the brain mediate such physiology. This knowledge gap largely stemmed from the inability to simultaneously identify Nts cell bodies and manipulate them in vivo. One means of overcoming this obstacle is to study NtsCre mice crossed onto a Cre-inducible green fluorescent reporter line (NtsCre;GFP mice), as these mice permit both visualization and in vivo modulation of specific populations of Nts neurons (using Cre-inducible viral and genetic tools) to reveal their function. Here we provide a comprehensive characterization of the distribution and relative densities of the Nts-GFP populations observed throughout the male NtsCre;GFP mouse brain, which will pave the way for future work to define their physiologic roles. We also compared the distribution of Nts-GFP neurons with Nts-In situ Hybridization (Nts-ISH) data from the adult mouse brain. By comparing these data sets we can distinguish Nts-GFP populations that may only transiently express Nts during development but not in the mature brain, and hence which populations may not be amenable to Cre-mediated manipulation in adult NtsCre;GFP mice. This atlas of Nts-GFP neurons will facilitate future studies using the NtsCre;GFP line to describe the physiological functions of individual Nts populations and how modulating them may be useful to treat disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura E Schroeder
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48114, United States
| | - Ryan Furdock
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48114, United States
| | - Cristina Rivera Quiles
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48114, United States
| | - Gizem Kurt
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48114, United States
| | - Patricia Perez-Bonilla
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48114, United States
| | - Angela Garcia
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48114, United States
| | - Crystal Colon-Ortiz
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48114, United States
| | - Juliette Brown
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48114, United States
| | - Raluca Bugescu
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48114, United States
| | - Gina M Leinninger
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48114, United States.
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Distinct Subsets of Lateral Hypothalamic Neurotensin Neurons are Activated by Leptin or Dehydration. Sci Rep 2019; 9:1873. [PMID: 30755658 PMCID: PMC6372669 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-38143-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2018] [Accepted: 12/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The lateral hypothalamic area (LHA) is essential for ingestive behavior but it remains unclear how LHA neurons coordinate feeding vs. drinking. Most LHA populations promote food and water consumption but LHA neurotensin (Nts) neurons preferentially induce water intake while suppressing feeding. We identified two molecularly and projection-specified subpopulations of LHA Nts neurons that are positioned to coordinate either feeding or drinking. One subpopulation co-expresses the long form of the leptin receptor (LepRb) and is activated by the anorectic hormone leptin (NtsLepRb neurons). A separate subpopulation lacks LepRb and is activated by dehydration (NtsDehy neurons). These molecularly distinct LHA Nts subpopulations also differ in connectivity: NtsLepRb neurons project to the ventral tegmental area and substantia nigra compacta but NtsDehy neurons do not. Intriguingly, the LHA Nts subpopulations cannot be discriminated via their classical neurotransmitter content, as we found that all LHA Nts neurons are GABAergic. Collectively, our data identify two molecularly- and projection-specified subpopulations of LHA Nts neurons that intercept either leptin or dehydration cues, and which conceivably could regulate feeding vs. drinking behavior. Selective regulation of these LHA Nts subpopulations might be useful to specialize treatment for ingestive disorders such as polydipsia or obesity.
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31
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Striatal dopamine 2 receptor upregulation during development predisposes to diet-induced obesity by reducing energy output in mice. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2018; 115:10493-10498. [PMID: 30254156 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1800171115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Dopaminergic signaling in the striatum, particularly at dopamine 2 receptors (D2R), has been a topic of active investigation in obesity research in the past decades. However, it still remains unclear whether variations in striatal D2Rs modulate the risk for obesity and if so in which direction. Human studies have yielded contradictory findings that likely reflect a complex nonlinear relationship, possibly involving a combination of causal effects and compensatory changes. Animal work indicates that although chronic obesogenic diets reduce striatal D2R function, striatal D2R down-regulation does not lead to obesity. In this study, we evaluated the consequences of striatal D2R up-regulation on body-weight gain susceptibility and energy balance in mice. We used a mouse model of D2R overexpression (D2R-OE) in which D2Rs were selectively up-regulated in striatal medium spiny neurons. We uncover a pathological mechanism by which striatal D2R-OE leads to reduced brown adipose tissue thermogenesis, reduced energy expenditure, and accelerated obesity despite reduced eating. We also show that D2R-OE restricted to development is sufficient to promote obesity and to induce energy-balance deficits. Together, our findings indicate that striatal D2R-OE during development persistently increases the propensity for obesity by reducing energy output in mice. This suggests that early alterations in the striatal dopamine system could represent a key predisposition factor toward obesity.
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32
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Normandeau CP, Torruella Suárez ML, Sarret P, McElligott ZA, Dumont EC. Neurotensin and dynorphin Bi-Directionally modulate CeA inhibition of oval BNST neurons in male mice. Neuropharmacology 2018; 143:113-121. [PMID: 30248304 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2018.09.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2018] [Revised: 09/13/2018] [Accepted: 09/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Neuropeptides are often co-expressed in neurons, and may therefore be working together to coordinate proper neural circuit function. However, neurophysiological effects of neuropeptides are commonly studied individually possibly underestimating their modulatory roles. Here, we triggered the release of endogenous neuropeptides in brain slices from male mice to better understand their modulation of central amygdala (CeA) inhibitory inputs onto oval (ov) BNST neurons. We found that locally-released neurotensin (NT) and dynorphin (Dyn) antagonistically regulated CeA inhibitory inputs onto ovBNST neurons. NT and Dyn respectively increased and decreased CeA-toovBNST inhibitory inputs through NT receptor 1 (NTR1) and kappa opioid receptor (KOR). Additionally, NT and Dyn mRNAs were highly co-localized in ovBNST neurons suggesting that they may be released from the same cells. Together, we showed that NT and Dyn are key modulators of CeA inputs to ovBNST, paving the way to determine whether different conditions or states can alter the neuropeptidergic regulation of this particular brain circuit.
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Affiliation(s)
- C P Normandeau
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - M L Torruella Suárez
- Program in Neurobiology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA
| | - P Sarret
- Department of Pharmacology & Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Z A McElligott
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies and Departments of Psychiatry and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA
| | - E C Dumont
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada.
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Brown J, Sagante A, Mayer T, Wright A, Bugescu R, Fuller PM, Leinninger G. Lateral Hypothalamic Area Neurotensin Neurons Are Required for Control of Orexin Neurons and Energy Balance. Endocrinology 2018; 159:3158-3176. [PMID: 30010830 PMCID: PMC6669822 DOI: 10.1210/en.2018-00311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2018] [Accepted: 07/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The lateral hypothalamic area (LHA) is essential for motivated ingestive and locomotor behaviors that impact body weight, yet it remains unclear how the neurochemically defined subpopulations of LHA neurons contribute to energy balance. In particular, the role of the large population of LHA neurotensin (Nts) neurons has remained ambiguous due to the lack of methods to easily visualize and modulate these neurons. Because LHA Nts neurons are activated by leptin and other anorectic cues and they modulate dopamine or local LHA orexin neurons implicated in energy balance, they may have important, unappreciated roles for coordinating behaviors necessary for proper body weight. In this study, we genetically ablated or chemogenetically inhibited LHA Nts neurons in adult mice to determine their necessity for control of motivated behaviors and body weight. Genetic ablation of LHA Nts neurons resulted in profoundly increased adiposity compared with mice with intact LHA Nts neurons, as well as diminished locomotor activity, energy expenditure, and water intake. Complete loss of LHA Nts neurons also led to downregulation of orexin, revealing important cross-talk between the LHA Nts and orexin populations in maintenance of behavior and body weight. In contrast, chemogenetic inhibition of intact LHA Nts neurons did not disrupt orexin expression, but it suppressed locomotor activity and the adaptive response to leptin. Taken together, these data reveal the necessity of LHA Nts neurons and their activation for controlling energy balance, and that LHA Nts neurons influence behavior and body weight via orexin-dependent and orexin-independent mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliette Brown
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
- Institute for Integrative Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
| | - Andrew Sagante
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
| | - Thomas Mayer
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
| | - Anna Wright
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
| | - Raluca Bugescu
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
| | - Patrick M Fuller
- Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
- Division of Sleep Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Gina Leinninger
- Institute for Integrative Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
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Dominguez-Lopez S, Piccart E, Lynch WB, Wollet MB, Sharpe AL, Beckstead MJ. Antagonism of Neurotensin Receptors in the Ventral Tegmental Area Decreases Methamphetamine Self-Administration and Methamphetamine Seeking in Mice. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2018; 21:361-370. [PMID: 29272412 PMCID: PMC5888879 DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyx117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2017] [Revised: 12/13/2017] [Accepted: 12/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Neurotensin is a peptide that modulates central dopamine neurotransmission and dopamine-related behaviors. Methamphetamine self-administration increases neurotensin levels in the ventral tegmental area, but the consequences for self-administration behavior have not been described. Here we test the hypothesis that antagonizing neurotensin receptors in the ventral tegmental area attenuates the acquisition of methamphetamine self-administration and methamphetamine intake. Methods We implanted mice with an indwelling catheter in the right jugular vein and bilateral cannulae directed at the ventral tegmental area. Mice were then trained to nose-poke for i.v. infusions of methamphetamine (0.1 mg/kg/infusion) on a fixed ratio 3 schedule. Results Mice receiving microinfusions of the neurotensin NTS1/NTS2 receptor antagonist SR142948A in the ventral tegmental area (10 ng/side) prior to the first 5 days of methamphetamine self-administration required more sessions to reach acquisition criteria. Methamphetamine intake was decreased in SR142948A-treated mice both during training and later during maintenance of self-administration. Drug seeking during extinction, cue-induced reinstatement, and progressive ratio schedules was also reduced in the SR142948A group. The effects of SR142948A were not related to changes in basal locomotor activity or methamphetamine psychomotor properties. In both SR142948A- and saline-treated mice, a strong positive correlation between methamphetamine intake and enhanced locomotor activity was observed. Conclusion Our results suggest that neurotensin input in the ventral tegmental area during initial methamphetamine exposure contributes to the acquisition of methamphetamine self-administration and modulates later intake and methamphetamine-seeking behavior in mice. Furthermore, our results highlight the role of endogenous neurotensin in the ventral tegmental area in the reinforcing efficacy of methamphetamine, independent of its psychomotor effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Dominguez-Lopez
- Aging & Metabolism Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK
- Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, University of Texas Health, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Elisabeth Piccart
- Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, University of Texas Health, San Antonio, Texas
| | - William B Lynch
- Aging & Metabolism Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK
- Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, University of Texas Health, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Mackenna B Wollet
- Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, University of Texas Health, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Amanda L Sharpe
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Feik School of Pharmacy, University of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio, Texas
- College of Pharmacy, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK
| | - Michael J Beckstead
- Aging & Metabolism Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK
- Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, University of Texas Health, San Antonio, Texas
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Woodworth HL, Brown JA, Batchelor HM, Bugescu R, Leinninger GM. Determination of neurotensin projections to the ventral tegmental area in mice. Neuropeptides 2018; 68:57-74. [PMID: 29478718 PMCID: PMC5906039 DOI: 10.1016/j.npep.2018.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2017] [Revised: 01/11/2018] [Accepted: 02/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Pharmacologic treatment with the neuropeptide neurotensin (Nts) modifies motivated behaviors such as feeding, locomotor activity, and reproduction. Dopamine (DA) neurons of the ventral tegmental area (VTA) control these behaviors, and Nts directly modulates the activity of DA neurons via Nts receptor-1. While Nts sources to the VTA have been described in starlings and rats, the endogenous sources of Nts to the VTA of mice remain incompletely understood, impeding determination of which Nts circuits orchestrate specific behaviors in this model. To overcome this obstacle we injected the retrograde tracer Fluoro-Gold into the VTA of mice that express GFP in Nts neurons. Identification of GFP-Nts cells that accumulate Fluoro-Gold revealed the Nts afferents to the VTA in mice. Similar to rats, most Nts afferents to the VTA of mice arise from the medial and lateral preoptic areas (POA) and the lateral hypothalamic area (LHA), brain regions that are critical for coordination of feeding and reproduction. Additionally, the VTA receives dense input from Nts neurons in the nucleus accumbens shell (NAsh) of mice, and minor Nts projections from the amygdala and periaqueductal gray area. Collectively, our data reveal multiple populations of Nts neurons that provide direct afferents to the VTA and which may regulate specific aspects of motivated behavior. This work lays the foundation for understanding endogenous Nts actions in the VTA, and how circuit-specific Nts modulation may be useful to correct motivational and affective deficits in neuropsychiatric disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Juliette A Brown
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Hannah M Batchelor
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Raluca Bugescu
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Gina M Leinninger
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.
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Tschumi CW, Beckstead MJ. Diverse actions of the modulatory peptide neurotensin on central synaptic transmission. Eur J Neurosci 2018; 49:784-793. [PMID: 29405480 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.13858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2017] [Revised: 01/29/2018] [Accepted: 01/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Neurotensin (NT) is a 13 amino acid neuropeptide that is expressed throughout the central nervous system and is implicated in the etiology of multiple diseases and disorders. Many primary investigations of NT-induced modulation of neuronal excitability at the level of the synapse have been conducted, but they have not been summarized in review form in nearly 30 years. Therefore, the goal of this review is to discuss the many actions of NT on neuronal excitability across brain regions as well as NT circuit architecture. In the basal ganglia as well as other brain nuclei, NT can act through diverse intracellular signaling cascades to enhance or depress neuronal activity by modulating activity of ion channels, ionotropic and metabotropic neurotransmitter receptors, and presynaptic release of neurotransmitters. Further, NT can produce indirect effects by evoking endocannabinoid release, and recently has itself been identified as a putative retrograde messenger. In the basal ganglia, the diverse actions and circuit architecture of NT signaling allow for input-specific control of reward-related behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher W Tschumi
- Aging & Metabolism Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104-5005, USA
| | - Michael J Beckstead
- Aging & Metabolism Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104-5005, USA
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37
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Identification of Neurotensin Receptor Expressing Cells in the Ventral Tegmental Area across the Lifespan. eNeuro 2018; 5:eN-NWR-0191-17. [PMID: 29464190 PMCID: PMC5815659 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0191-17.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2017] [Revised: 01/15/2018] [Accepted: 01/25/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurotensin (Nts) promotes activation of dopamine (DA) neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) via incompletely understood mechanisms. Nts can signal via the G protein-coupled Nts receptors 1 and 2 (NtsR1 and NtsR2), but the lack of methods to detect NtsR1- and NtsR2-expressing cells has limited mechanistic understanding of Nts action. To overcome this challenge, we generated dual recombinase mice that express FlpO-dependent Cre recombinase in NtsR1 or NtsR2 cells. This strategy permitted temporal control over recombination, such that we could identify NtsR1- or NtsR2-expressing cells and determine whether their distributions differed between the developing and adult brain. Using this system, we found that NtsR1 is transiently expressed in nearly all DA neurons and in many non-DA neurons in the VTA during development. However, NtsR1 expression is more restricted within the adult brain, where only two thirds of VTA DA neurons expressed NtsR1. By contrast, NtsR2 expression remains constant throughout lifespan, but it is predominantly expressed within glia. Anterograde tract tracing revealed that NtsR1 is expressed by mesolimbic, not mesocortical DA neurons, suggesting that VTA NtsR1 neurons may represent a functionally unique subset of VTA DA neurons. Collectively, this work reveals a cellular mechanism by which Nts can directly engage NtsR1-expressing DA neurons to modify DA signaling. Going forward, the dual recombinase strategy developed here will be useful to selectively modulate NtsR1- and NtsR2-expressing cells and to parse their contributions to Nts-mediated behaviors.
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38
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Tschumi CW, Beckstead MJ. Neurotensin speeds inhibition of dopamine neurons through temporal modulation of GABA A and GABA B receptor-mediated synaptic input. Neuropharmacology 2018; 131:414-423. [PMID: 29307543 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2018.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2017] [Revised: 12/02/2017] [Accepted: 01/02/2018] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Midbrain dopamine neurons play physiological roles in many processes including reward learning and motivated behavior, and are tonically inhibited by γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic input from multiple brain regions. Neurotensin (NT) is a neuropeptide which acutely modulates midbrain dopamine neuron excitability through multiple mechanisms, one of which is a decrease of GABA-mediated inhibition. However, the mechanisms through which NT depresses GABA signaling are not known. Here we used whole cell patch-clamp electrophysiology of dopamine neurons in mouse brain slices to show that NT acts both presynaptically to increase GABAA and postsynaptically to decrease GABAB receptor-mediated currents in the substantia nigra. The active peptide fragment NT8-13 enhanced GABAA signaling presynaptically by causing an increase in the size of the readily releasable pool of GABA via activation of the NT type-1 receptor and protein kinase A. Conversely, NT8-13 depressed GABAB signaling postsynaptically via the NT type-2 receptor in a process that was modulated by protein kinase C. Both forms of plasticity could be observed simultaneously in single dopamine neurons. Thus, as the kinetics of GABAA signaling are significantly faster than those of GABAB signaling, NT functionally speeds GABAergic input to midbrain dopamine neurons. This finding contributes to our understanding of how neuropeptide-induced plasticity can simultaneously differentiate and integrate signaling by a single neurotransmitter in a single cell and provides a basis for understanding how neuropeptides use temporal shifts in synaptic strength to encode information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher W Tschumi
- Aging and Metabolism Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104-5005, USA; Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, University of Texas Health, San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Michael J Beckstead
- Aging and Metabolism Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104-5005, USA; Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, University of Texas Health, San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA.
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39
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Schroeder LE, Leinninger GM. Role of central neurotensin in regulating feeding: Implications for the development and treatment of body weight disorders. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2017; 1864:900-916. [PMID: 29288794 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2017.12.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2017] [Revised: 12/11/2017] [Accepted: 12/26/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The peptide neurotensin (Nts) was discovered within the brain over 40years ago and is implicated in regulating analgesia, body temperature, blood pressure, locomotor activity and feeding. Recent evidence suggests, however, that these disparate processes may be controlled via specific populations of Nts neurons and receptors. The neuronal mediators of Nts anorectic action are now beginning to be understood, and, as such, modulating specific Nts pathways might be useful in treating feeding and body weight disorders. This review considers mechanisms through which Nts normally regulates feeding and how disruptions in Nts signaling might contribute to the disordered feeding and body weight of schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease, anorexia nervosa, and obesity. Defining how Nts specifically mediates feeding vs. other aspects of physiology will inform the design of therapeutics that modify body weight without disrupting other important Nts-mediated physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura E Schroeder
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48823, United States
| | - Gina M Leinninger
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48823, United States.
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40
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Woodworth HL, Beekly BG, Batchelor HM, Bugescu R, Perez-Bonilla P, Schroeder LE, Leinninger GM. Lateral Hypothalamic Neurotensin Neurons Orchestrate Dual Weight Loss Behaviors via Distinct Mechanisms. Cell Rep 2017; 21:3116-3128. [PMID: 29241540 PMCID: PMC5734099 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2017.11.068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2017] [Revised: 09/14/2017] [Accepted: 11/19/2017] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The central mechanism by which neurotensin (Nts) potentiates weight loss has remained elusive. We leveraged chemogenetics to reveal that Nts-expressing neurons of the lateral hypothalamic area (LHA) promote weight loss in mice by increasing volitional activity and restraining food intake. Intriguingly, these dual weight loss behaviors are mediated by distinct signaling pathways: Nts action via NtsR1 is essential for the anorectic effect of the LHA Nts circuit, but not for regulation of locomotor or drinking behavior. Furthermore, although LHA Nts neurons cannot reduce intake of freely available obesogenic foods, they effectively restrain motivated feeding in hungry, weight-restricted animals. LHA Nts neurons are thus vital mediators of central Nts action, particularly in the face of negative energy balance. Enhanced action via LHA Nts neurons may, therefore, be useful to suppress the increased appetitive drive that occurs after lifestyle-mediated weight loss and, hence, to prevent weight regain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hillary L Woodworth
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Bethany G Beekly
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Hannah M Batchelor
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Raluca Bugescu
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Patricia Perez-Bonilla
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Laura E Schroeder
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Gina M Leinninger
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.
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