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Mavanji V, Georgopoulos AP, Kotz CM. Orexin enhances neuronal synchronization in adult rat hypothalamic culture: a model to study hypothalamic function. J Neurophysiol 2022; 127:1221-1229. [PMID: 35353632 PMCID: PMC9054260 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00041.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The regulation of sleep/wake behavior and energy homeostasis is maintained in part by the hypothalamic neuropeptide orexin A (OXA, hypocretin). Reduction in orexin signaling is associated with sleep disorders and obesity, whereas higher lateral hypothalamic (LH) orexin signaling and sensitivity promotes obesity resistance. Similarly, dysregulation of hypothalamic neural networks is associated with onset of age-related diseases, including obesity and several neurological diseases. Despite the association of obesity and aging, and that adult populations are the target for the majority of pharmaceutical and obesity studies, conventional models for neuronal networks utilize embryonic neural cultures rather than adult neurons. Synchronous activity describes correlated changes in neuronal activity between neurons and is a feature of normal brain function, and is a measure of functional connectivity and final output from a given neural structure. Earlier studies show alterations in hypothalamic synchronicity following behavioral perturbations in embryonic neurons obtained from obesity-resistant rats and following application of orexin onto embryonic hypothalamic cultures. Synchronous network dynamics in adult hypothalamic neurons remain largely undescribed. To address this, we established an adult rat hypothalamic culture in multi-electrode-array (MEA) dishes and recorded the field potentials. Then we studied the effect of exogenous orexin on network synchronization of these adult hypothalamic cultures. In addition, we studied the wake promoting effects of orexin in vivo when directly injected into the lateral hypothalamus (LH). Our results showed that the adult hypothalamic cultures are viable for nearly 3 mo in vitro, good quality MEA recordings can be obtained from these cultures in vitro, and finally, that cultured adult hypothalamus is responsive to orexin. These results support that adult rat hypothalamic cultures could be used as a model to study the neural mechanisms underlying obesity. In addition, LH administration of OXA enhanced wakefulness in rats, indicating that OXA enhances wakefulness partly by promoting neural synchrony in the hypothalamus.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study, for the first time, demonstrates that adult hypothalamic cultures are viable in vitro for a prolonged duration and are electrophysiologically active. In addition, the study shows that orexin enhances neural synchronization in adult hypothalamic cultures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vijayakumar Mavanji
- Research Service, Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Apostolos P Georgopoulos
- Research Service, Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Brain Sciences Center, Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Center for Cognitive Sciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Catherine M Kotz
- Research Service, Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Minnesota Nutrition and Obesity Research Center, St. Paul, Minnesota
- Geriatric Research Education Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
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Synchronous neuronal interactions in rat hypothalamic culture: a novel model for the study of network dynamics in metabolic disorders. Exp Brain Res 2021; 239:755-764. [PMID: 33388905 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-020-05977-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Synchronous neural activity is a feature of normal brain function, and altered synchronization is observed in several neurological diseases. Dysfunction in hypothalamic pathways leads to obesity, suggesting that hypothalamic neural synchrony is critical for energy homeostasis. The lateral hypothalamic orexin neurons are extensively interconnected with other brain structures and are important for energy balance. Earlier studies show that rats with higher orexin sensitivity are obesity resistant. Similarly, topiramate, an anti-epileptic drug, has been shown to reduce weight in humans. Since orexin enhances neuronal excitation, we hypothesized that obesity-resistant rats with higher orexin sensitivity may exhibit enhanced hypothalamic synchronization. We further hypothesized that anti-obesity agents such as orexin and topiramate will enhance hypothalamic synchronization. To test this, we examined neural synchronicity in primary embryonic hypothalamic cell cultures, obtained from embryonic day 18 (E18) obesity-susceptible Sprague-Dawley (SD) and obesity-resistant rats. Hypothalamic tissue was cultured in multielectrode array (MEA), and recordings were performed twice weekly, from 4th to 32nd day in vitro (DIV). Next, we tested the effects of orexin and topiramate application on neural synchronicity of hypothalamic cultures obtained from SD rat embryos. Signals were analyzed for synchronization using cross correlation. Our results showed that (1) obesity-resistant hypothalamus exhibits significantly higher synchronization compared to obesity-sensitive hypothalamus; and (2) orexin and topiramate enhance hypothalamic synchronization. These results support that enhanced orexin sensitivity is associated with greater neural synchronization, and that anti-obesity treatments enhance network synchronization, thus constrain variability in hypothalamic output signals, to extrahypothalamic structures involved in energy homeostasis.
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Kobayashi M, Shimizu-Okabe C, Kim J, Kobayashi S, Matsushita M, Masuzaki H, Takayama C. Embryonic development of GABAergic terminals in the mouse hypothalamic nuclei involved in feeding behavior. Neurosci Res 2018; 134:39-48. [PMID: 29174921 DOI: 10.1016/j.neures.2017.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2017] [Revised: 10/18/2017] [Accepted: 11/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) plays important roles in energy balance and feeding behavior in the hypothalamus. To reveal the time course of GABAergic network formation, we examined the immunohistochemical localization of glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD), a GABAergic neuron marker, vesicular GABA transporter (VGAT), a marker of inhibitory terminals, and K+-Cl--cotransporter2 (KCC2), which shifts GABA action from excitation to inhibition, in the developing mouse hypothalamus. GABAergic terminals, seen as GAD- and VGAT-positive dots, increased in density during embryonic development. Moreover, the onset of KCC2 localization was almost concomitant with GABAergic terminal formation, and KCC2-positive profiles increased in density during development. This suggested that after the formation of GABAergic terminals, GABAergic action may change to inhibition in the hypothalamus. This maturation appears to proceed as follows: the lateral hypothalamus (LH) matures first, followed by the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) by the time of birth, while the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) and the arcuate nucleus (Arc) are not fully mature at the time of birth. Our findings suggest that GABAergic networks in the "feeding center" (LH) and the "exit" (PVN) may mature before birth, while those in the "satiety center" (VMH) and "higher control center" (Arc) may mature after birth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masato Kobayashi
- Department of Molecular Anatomy, School of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus, Uehara 207, Nishihara, Okinawa, 9030215, Japan
| | - Chigusa Shimizu-Okabe
- Department of Molecular Anatomy, School of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus, Uehara 207, Nishihara, Okinawa, 9030215, Japan
| | - Jeongtae Kim
- Department of Molecular Anatomy, School of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus, Uehara 207, Nishihara, Okinawa, 9030215, Japan
| | - Shiori Kobayashi
- Department of Molecular Anatomy, School of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus, Uehara 207, Nishihara, Okinawa, 9030215, Japan
| | - Masayuki Matsushita
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, School of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Masuzaki
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Hematology, Rheumatology School of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Chitoshi Takayama
- Department of Molecular Anatomy, School of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus, Uehara 207, Nishihara, Okinawa, 9030215, Japan.
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Yang L, McKnight GS. Hypothalamic PKA regulates leptin sensitivity and adiposity. Nat Commun 2015; 6:8237. [PMID: 26381935 PMCID: PMC4576457 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms9237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2015] [Accepted: 07/30/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Mice lacking the RIIβ regulatory subunit of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) display reduced adiposity and resistance to diet-induced obesity. Here we show that RIIβ knockout (KO) mice have enhanced sensitivity to leptin's effects on both feeding and energy metabolism. After administration of a low dose of leptin, the duration of hypothalamic JAK/STAT3 signalling is increased, resulting in enhanced POMC mRNA induction. Consistent with the extended JAK/STAT3 activation, we find that the negative feedback regulator of leptin receptor signalling, Socs3, is inhibited in the hypothalamus of RIIβ KO mice. During fasting, RIIβ–PKA is activated and this correlates with an increase in CREB phosphorylation. The increase in CREB phosphorylation is absent in the fasted RIIβ KO hypothalamus. Selective inhibition of PKA activity in AgRP neurons partially recapitulates the leanness and resistance to diet-induced obesity of RIIβ KO mice. Our findings suggest that RIIβ–PKA modulates the duration of leptin receptor signalling and therefore the magnitude of the catabolic response to leptin. Mice lacking RIIβ, a regulatory subunit of protein kinase A, are lean and resistant to diet-induced obesity. Here, the authors show that RIIβ regulates leptin sensitivity, acting as a physiological brake on leptin responsiveness and the duration of leptin signalling in the hypothalamus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linghai Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington School of Medicine, 1959 North East Pacific Street, Box 357280, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA
| | - G Stanley McKnight
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington School of Medicine, 1959 North East Pacific Street, Box 357280, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA
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Younes-Rapozo V, Moura EG, Manhães AC, Pinheiro CR, Santos-Silva AP, de Oliveira E, Lisboa PC. Maternal nicotine exposure during lactation alters hypothalamic neuropeptides expression in the adult rat progeny. Food Chem Toxicol 2013; 58:158-68. [PMID: 23623838 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2013.04.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2013] [Revised: 04/08/2013] [Accepted: 04/16/2013] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Maternal exposure to nicotine during lactation causes hyperleptinemia in the pups and, at adulthood, these animals are overweight and hyperleptinemic, while, in their hypothalamus, the leptin signaling pathway is reduced, evidencing a central leptin resistance. Then, we evaluated the expression of pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC), alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH), cocaine and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART), neuropeptide Y (NPY), agouti-related peptide (AgRP) and others in different hypothalamic nuclei in order to better understand the mechanisms underlying the obese phenotype observed in these animals at adulthood. On the 2nd postnatal day (P2), dams were subcutaneously implanted with osmotic minipumps releasing nicotine (NIC-6 mg/kg/day) or saline for 14 days. Offspring were killed in P180 and immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis were carried out. Significance data had p<0.05. Adult NIC offspring showed more intense NPY staining in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) (+21%) and increased number of POMC-positive cells in the: arcuate nucleus (+33%), as an increase in fiber density of α-MSH in PVN (+85%). However, the number of CART-positive cells was reduced in the PVN (-25%). CRH staining was more intense in NIC offspring (+136%). Orexins and AgRP were not altered. Thus, maternal nicotine exposure changes hypothalamic neuropeptides in the adult progeny that is partially compatible with leptin resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viviane Younes-Rapozo
- Laboratório de Fisiologia Endócrina, Instituto de Biologia Roberto Alcantara Gomes, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Liu T, Wang Q, Berglund ED, Tong Q. Action of Neurotransmitter: A Key to Unlock the AgRP Neuron Feeding Circuit. Front Neurosci 2013; 6:200. [PMID: 23346045 PMCID: PMC3549528 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2012.00200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2012] [Accepted: 12/31/2012] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The current obesity epidemic and lack of efficient therapeutics demand a clear understanding of the mechanism underlying body weight regulation. Despite intensive research focus on obesity pathogenesis, an effective therapeutic strategy to treat and cure obesity is still lacking. Exciting studies in last decades have established the importance of hypothalamic agouti-related protein-expressing neurons (AgRP neurons) in the regulation of body weight homeostasis. AgRP neurons are both required and sufficient for feeding regulation. The activity of AgRP neurons is intricately regulated by nutritional hormones as well as synaptic inputs from upstream neurons. Changes in AgRP neuron activity lead to alterations in the release of mediators, including neuropeptides Neuropeptide Y (NPY) and AgRP, and fast-acting neurotransmitter GABA. Recent studies based on mouse genetics, novel optogenetics, and designer receptor exclusively activated by designer drugs have identified a critical role for GABA release from AgRP neurons in the parabrachial nucleus and paraventricular hypothalamus in feeding control. This review will summarize recent findings about AgRP neuron-mediated control of feeding circuits with a focus on the role of neurotransmitters. Given the limited knowledge on feeding regulation, understanding the action of neurotransmitters may be a key to unlock neurocircuitry that governs feeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiemin Liu
- Division of Hypothalamic Research, Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas Dallas, TX, USA
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Shin BC, Dai Y, Thamotharan M, Gibson LC, Devaskar SU. Pre- and postnatal calorie restriction perturbs early hypothalamic neuropeptide and energy balance. J Neurosci Res 2012; 90:1169-82. [PMID: 22388752 PMCID: PMC4208917 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.23013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2011] [Revised: 11/22/2011] [Accepted: 11/24/2011] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Energy balance is regulated by circulating leptin concentrations and hypothalamic leptin receptor (ObRb) signaling via STAT3 but is inhibited by SOCS3 and PTP1B. Leptin signaling enhances anorexigenic neuropeptides and receptor (POMC, MC3-R, MC4-R) activation while suppressing orexigenic neuropeptides (NPY, AgRP). We investigated in a sex-specific manner the early (PN2) and late (PN21) postnatal hypothalamic mechanisms in response to intrauterine (IUGR), postnatal (PNGR), and combined (IPGR) calorie and growth restriction. At PN2, both male and female IUGR were hypoleptinemic, but hypothalamic leptin signaling in females was activated as seen by enhanced STAT3. In addition, increased SOCS3 and PTP1B supported early initiation of leptin resistance in females that led to elevated AgRP but diminished MC3-R and MC4-R. In contrast, males demonstrated leptin sensitivity seen as a reduction in PTP1B and MC3-R and MC4-R with no effect on neuropeptide expression. At PN21, with adequate postnatal caloric intake, a sex-specific dichotomy in leptin concentrations was seen in IUGR, with euleptinemia in males indicative of persisting leptin sensitivity and hyperleptinemia in females consistent with leptin resistance, both with normal hypothalamic ObRb signaling, neuropeptides, and energy balance. In contrast, superimposition of PNGR upon IUGR (IPGR) led to diminished leptin concentrations with enhanced PTP1B and an imbalance in arcuate nuclear NPY/AgRP and POMC expression that favored exponential hyperphagia and diminished energy expenditure postweaning. We conclude that IUGR results in sex-specific leptin resistance observed mainly in females, whereas PNGR and IPGR abolish this sex-specificity, setting the stage for acquiring obesity after weaning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo-Chul Shin
- Division of Neonatology & Developmental Biology, Neonatal Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1752
| | - Yun Dai
- Division of Neonatology & Developmental Biology, Neonatal Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1752
| | - Manikkavasagar Thamotharan
- Division of Neonatology & Developmental Biology, Neonatal Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1752
| | - L. Caroline Gibson
- Division of Neonatology & Developmental Biology, Neonatal Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1752
| | - Sherin U. Devaskar
- Division of Neonatology & Developmental Biology, Neonatal Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1752
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