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Sankhe AS, Bordeleau D, Alfonso DIM, Wittman G, Chee MJ. Loss of glutamatergic signalling from MCH neurons reduced anxiety-like behaviours in novel environments. J Neuroendocrinol 2023; 35:e13222. [PMID: 36529144 DOI: 10.1111/jne.13222] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) neurons within the hypothalamus are heterogeneous and can coexpress additional neuropeptides and transmitters. The majority of MCH neurons express vesicular transporters to package glutamate for synaptic release, and MCH neurons can directly innervate downstream neurons via glutamate release. Although glutamatergic signalling from MCH neurons may support physiological and behavioural roles that are independent of MCH (e.g., in glucose homeostasis and nutrient-sensing), it can also mediate similar roles to MCH in the regulation of energy balance. In addition to energy balance, the MCH system has also been implicated in mood disorders, as MCH receptor antagonists have anxiolytic and anti-depressive effects. However, the contribution of glutamatergic signalling from MCH neurons to mood-related functions have not been investigated. We crossed Mch-cre mice with floxed-Vglut2 mice to delete the expression of the vesicular glutamate transporter 2 (Vglut2) and disable glutamatergic signalling specifically from MCH neurons. The resulting Mch-Vglut2-KO mice showed Vglut2 deletion from over 75% of MCH neurons, and although we did not observe changes in depressive-like behaviours, we found that Mch-Vglut2-KO mice displayed anxiety-like behaviours. Mch-Vglut2-KO mice showed reduced exploratory activity when placed in a new cage and were quicker to consume food placed in the centre of a novel open arena. These findings showed that Vglut2 deletion from MCH neurons resulted in anxiolytic actions and suggested that the anxiogenic effects of glutamate are similar to those of the MCH peptide. Taken together, these findings suggest that glutamate and MCH may synergize to regulate and promote anxiety-like behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aditi S Sankhe
- Department of Neuroscience, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Dillon Bordeleau
- Department of Neuroscience, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | | | - Gábor Wittman
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Melissa J Chee
- Department of Neuroscience, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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Williams MJ, Alsehli AM, Gartner SN, Clemensson LE, Liao S, Eriksson A, Isgrove K, Thelander L, Khan Z, Itskov PM, Moulin TC, Ambrosi V, Al-Sabri MH, Lagunas-Rangel FA, Olszewski PK, Schiöth HB. The Statin Target Hmgcr Regulates Energy Metabolism and Food Intake through Central Mechanisms. Cells 2022; 11:cells11060970. [PMID: 35326421 PMCID: PMC8946516 DOI: 10.3390/cells11060970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The statin drug target, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGCR), is strongly linked to body mass index (BMI), yet how HMGCR influences BMI is not understood. In mammals, studies of peripheral HMGCR have not clearly identified a role in BMI maintenance and, despite considerable central nervous system expression, a function for central HMGCR has not been determined. Similar to mammals, Hmgcr is highly expressed in the Drosophila melanogaster brain. Therefore, genetic and pharmacological studies were performed to identify how central Hmgcr regulates Drosophila energy metabolism and feeding behavior. We found that inhibiting Hmgcr, in insulin-producing cells of the Drosophila pars intercerebralis (PI), the fly hypothalamic equivalent, significantly reduces the expression of insulin-like peptides, severely decreasing insulin signaling. In fact, reducing Hmgcr expression throughout development causes decreased body size, increased lipid storage, hyperglycemia, and hyperphagia. Furthermore, the Hmgcr induced hyperphagia phenotype requires a conserved insulin-regulated α-glucosidase, target of brain insulin (tobi). In rats and mice, acute inhibition of hypothalamic Hmgcr activity stimulates food intake. This study presents evidence of how central Hmgcr regulation of metabolism and food intake could influence BMI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J. Williams
- Functional Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Department of Surgical Sciences, Uppsala University, 751 24 Uppsala, Sweden; (M.J.W.); (A.M.A.); (L.E.C.); (S.L.); (A.E.); (L.T.); (Z.K.); (P.M.I.); (T.C.M.); (V.A.); (M.H.A.-S.); (F.A.L.-R.)
| | - Ahmed M. Alsehli
- Functional Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Department of Surgical Sciences, Uppsala University, 751 24 Uppsala, Sweden; (M.J.W.); (A.M.A.); (L.E.C.); (S.L.); (A.E.); (L.T.); (Z.K.); (P.M.I.); (T.C.M.); (V.A.); (M.H.A.-S.); (F.A.L.-R.)
- Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University and Hospital, Al Ehtifalat St., Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sarah N. Gartner
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Waikato, Private Bag 3105, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand; (S.N.G.); (K.I.); (P.K.O.)
| | - Laura E. Clemensson
- Functional Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Department of Surgical Sciences, Uppsala University, 751 24 Uppsala, Sweden; (M.J.W.); (A.M.A.); (L.E.C.); (S.L.); (A.E.); (L.T.); (Z.K.); (P.M.I.); (T.C.M.); (V.A.); (M.H.A.-S.); (F.A.L.-R.)
| | - Sifang Liao
- Functional Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Department of Surgical Sciences, Uppsala University, 751 24 Uppsala, Sweden; (M.J.W.); (A.M.A.); (L.E.C.); (S.L.); (A.E.); (L.T.); (Z.K.); (P.M.I.); (T.C.M.); (V.A.); (M.H.A.-S.); (F.A.L.-R.)
| | - Anders Eriksson
- Functional Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Department of Surgical Sciences, Uppsala University, 751 24 Uppsala, Sweden; (M.J.W.); (A.M.A.); (L.E.C.); (S.L.); (A.E.); (L.T.); (Z.K.); (P.M.I.); (T.C.M.); (V.A.); (M.H.A.-S.); (F.A.L.-R.)
| | - Kiriana Isgrove
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Waikato, Private Bag 3105, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand; (S.N.G.); (K.I.); (P.K.O.)
| | - Lina Thelander
- Functional Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Department of Surgical Sciences, Uppsala University, 751 24 Uppsala, Sweden; (M.J.W.); (A.M.A.); (L.E.C.); (S.L.); (A.E.); (L.T.); (Z.K.); (P.M.I.); (T.C.M.); (V.A.); (M.H.A.-S.); (F.A.L.-R.)
| | - Zaid Khan
- Functional Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Department of Surgical Sciences, Uppsala University, 751 24 Uppsala, Sweden; (M.J.W.); (A.M.A.); (L.E.C.); (S.L.); (A.E.); (L.T.); (Z.K.); (P.M.I.); (T.C.M.); (V.A.); (M.H.A.-S.); (F.A.L.-R.)
- Department of Plant Protection Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Sundsvägen 14, 230 53 Alnarp, Sweden
| | - Pavel M. Itskov
- Functional Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Department of Surgical Sciences, Uppsala University, 751 24 Uppsala, Sweden; (M.J.W.); (A.M.A.); (L.E.C.); (S.L.); (A.E.); (L.T.); (Z.K.); (P.M.I.); (T.C.M.); (V.A.); (M.H.A.-S.); (F.A.L.-R.)
| | - Thiago C. Moulin
- Functional Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Department of Surgical Sciences, Uppsala University, 751 24 Uppsala, Sweden; (M.J.W.); (A.M.A.); (L.E.C.); (S.L.); (A.E.); (L.T.); (Z.K.); (P.M.I.); (T.C.M.); (V.A.); (M.H.A.-S.); (F.A.L.-R.)
| | - Valerie Ambrosi
- Functional Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Department of Surgical Sciences, Uppsala University, 751 24 Uppsala, Sweden; (M.J.W.); (A.M.A.); (L.E.C.); (S.L.); (A.E.); (L.T.); (Z.K.); (P.M.I.); (T.C.M.); (V.A.); (M.H.A.-S.); (F.A.L.-R.)
| | - Mohamed H. Al-Sabri
- Functional Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Department of Surgical Sciences, Uppsala University, 751 24 Uppsala, Sweden; (M.J.W.); (A.M.A.); (L.E.C.); (S.L.); (A.E.); (L.T.); (Z.K.); (P.M.I.); (T.C.M.); (V.A.); (M.H.A.-S.); (F.A.L.-R.)
| | - Francisco Alejandro Lagunas-Rangel
- Functional Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Department of Surgical Sciences, Uppsala University, 751 24 Uppsala, Sweden; (M.J.W.); (A.M.A.); (L.E.C.); (S.L.); (A.E.); (L.T.); (Z.K.); (P.M.I.); (T.C.M.); (V.A.); (M.H.A.-S.); (F.A.L.-R.)
| | - Pawel K. Olszewski
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Waikato, Private Bag 3105, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand; (S.N.G.); (K.I.); (P.K.O.)
| | - Helgi B. Schiöth
- Functional Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Department of Surgical Sciences, Uppsala University, 751 24 Uppsala, Sweden; (M.J.W.); (A.M.A.); (L.E.C.); (S.L.); (A.E.); (L.T.); (Z.K.); (P.M.I.); (T.C.M.); (V.A.); (M.H.A.-S.); (F.A.L.-R.)
- Correspondence:
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Morganstern I, Gulati G, Leibowitz SF. Role of melanin-concentrating hormone in drug use disorders. Brain Res 2020; 1741:146872. [PMID: 32360868 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2020.146872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2019] [Revised: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) is a neuropeptide primarily transcribed in the lateral hypothalamus (LH), with vast projections to many areas throughout the central nervous system that play an important role in motivated behaviors and drug use. Anatomical, pharmacological and genetic studies implicate MCH in mediating the intake and reinforcement of commonly abused substances, acting by influencing several systems including the mesolimbic dopaminergic system, glutamatergic as well as GABAergic signaling and being modulated by inflammatory neuroimmune pathways. Further support for the role of MCH in controlling behavior related to drug use will be discussed as it relates to cerebral ventricular volume transmission and intracellular molecules including cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript peptide, dopamine- and cAMP-regulated phosphoprotein 32 kDa. The primary goal of this review is to introduce and summarize current literature surrounding the role of MCH in mediating the intake and reinforcement of commonly abused drugs, such as alcohol, cocaine, amphetamine, nicotine and opiates.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gazal Gulati
- Laboratory of Behavioral Neurobiology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Sarah F Leibowitz
- Laboratory of Behavioral Neurobiology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA.
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Barson JR, Leibowitz SF. Hypothalamic neuropeptide signaling in alcohol addiction. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2016; 65:321-9. [PMID: 25689818 PMCID: PMC4537397 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2015.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2014] [Revised: 01/30/2015] [Accepted: 02/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The hypothalamus is now known to regulate alcohol intake in addition to its established role in food intake, in part through neuromodulatory neurochemicals termed neuropeptides. Certain orexigenic neuropeptides act in the hypothalamus to promote alcohol drinking, although they affect different aspects of the drinking response. These neuropeptides, which include galanin, the endogenous opioid enkephalin, and orexin/hypocretin, appear to stimulate alcohol intake not only through mechanisms that promote food intake but also by enhancing reward and reinforcement from alcohol. Moreover, these neuropeptides participate in a positive feedback relationship with alcohol, whereby they are upregulated by alcohol intake to promote even further consumption. They contrast with other orexigenic neuropeptides, such as melanin-concentrating hormone and neuropeptide Y, which promote alcohol intake under limited circumstances, are not consistently stimulated by alcohol, and do not enhance reward. They also contrast with neuropeptides that can be anorexigenic, including the endogenous opioid dynorphin, corticotropin-releasing factor, and melanocortins, which act in the hypothalamus to inhibit alcohol drinking as well as reward and therefore counter the ingestive drive promoted by orexigenic neuropeptides. Thus, while multiple hypothalamic neuropeptides may work together to regulate different aspects of the alcohol drinking response, excessive signaling from orexigenic neuropeptides or inadequate signaling from anorexigenic neuropeptides can therefore allow alcohol drinking to become dysregulated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica R. Barson
- Laboratory of Behavioral Neurobiology, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, Box 278, New York, NY, 10065 USA
| | - Sarah F. Leibowitz
- Laboratory of Behavioral Neurobiology, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, Box 278, New York, NY, 10065 USA
,Corresponding author at: Laboratory of Behavioral Neurobiology, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, Box 278, New York, NY, 10065 USA. Tel.: +1 212 327 8378; fax: +1 212 327 8447
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Bodnar RJ. Endogenous opioids and feeding behavior: A decade of further progress (2004-2014). A Festschrift to Dr. Abba Kastin. Peptides 2015; 72:20-33. [PMID: 25843025 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2015.03.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2015] [Revised: 03/23/2015] [Accepted: 03/25/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Functional elucidation of the endogenous opioid system temporally paralleled the creation and growth of the journal, Peptides, under the leadership of its founding editor, Dr. Abba Kastin. He was prescient in publishing annual and uninterrupted reviews on Endogenous Opiates and Behavior that served as a microcosm for the journal under his stewardship. This author published a 2004 review, "Endogenous opioids and feeding behavior: a thirty-year historical perspective", summarizing research in this field between 1974 and 2003. The present review "closes the circle" by reviewing the last 10 years (2004-2014) of research examining the role of endogenous opioids and feeding behavior. The review summarizes effects upon ingestive behavior following administration of opioid receptor agonists, in opioid receptor knockout animals, following administration of general opioid receptor antagonists, following administration of selective mu, delta, kappa and ORL-1 receptor antagonists, and evaluating opioid peptide and opioid receptor changes in different food intake models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard J Bodnar
- Department of Psychology and Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience Doctoral Program Cluster, Queens College, City University of New York, Flushing, NY 11367, United States.
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Caruso V, Lagerström MC, Olszewski PK, Fredriksson R, Schiöth HB. Synaptic changes induced by melanocortin signalling. Nat Rev Neurosci 2014; 15:98-110. [PMID: 24588018 DOI: 10.1038/nrn3657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The melanocortin system has a well-established role in the regulation of energy homeostasis, but there is growing evidence of its involvement in memory, nociception, mood disorders and addiction. In this Review, we focus on the role of the melanocortin 4 receptor and provide an integrative view of the molecular mechanisms that lead to melanocortin-induced changes in synaptic plasticity within these diverse physiological systems. We also highlight the importance of melanocortin peptides and receptors in chronic pain syndromes, memory impairments, depression and drug abuse, and the possibility of targeting them for therapeutic purposes.
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MacNeil DJ. The role of melanin-concentrating hormone and its receptors in energy homeostasis. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2013; 4:49. [PMID: 23626585 PMCID: PMC3631741 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2013.00049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2013] [Accepted: 04/09/2013] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Extensive studies in rodents with melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) have demonstrated that the neuropeptide hormone is a potent orexigen. Acutely, MCH causes an increase in food intake, while chronically it leads to increased weight gain, primarily as an increase in fat mass. Multiple knockout mice models have confirmed the importance of MCH in modulating energy homeostasis. Animals lacking MCH, MCH-containing neurons, or the MCH receptor all are resistant to diet-induced obesity. These genetic and pharmacologic studies have prompted a large effort to identify potent and selective MCH receptor antagonists, initially as tool compounds to probe pharmacology in models of obesity, with an ultimate goal to identify novel anti-obesity drugs. In animal models, MCH antagonists have consistently shown efficacy in reducing food intake acutely and inhibiting body-weight gain when given chronically. Five compounds have proceeded into clinical testing. Although they were reported as well-tolerated, none has advanced to long-term efficacy and safety studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas J. MacNeil
- Department of In Vitro Pharmacology, Merck Research LaboratoriesKenilworth, NJ, USA
- *Correspondence: Douglas J. MacNeil, Department of In Vitro Pharmacology, Merck Research Laboratories, K15-3-309D, 2015 Galloping Hill Road, Kenilworth, NJ 07033, USA. e-mail:
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