1
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Massa MG, Scott RL, Cara AL, Cortes LR, Vander PB, Sandoval NP, Park JW, Ali SL, Velez LM, Wang HB, Ati SS, Tesfaye B, Reue K, van Veen JE, Seldin MM, Correa SM. Feeding neurons integrate metabolic and reproductive states in mice. iScience 2023; 26:107918. [PMID: 37817932 PMCID: PMC10561062 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Balance between metabolic and reproductive processes is important for survival, particularly in mammals that gestate their young. How the nervous system coordinates this balance is an active area of study. Herein, we demonstrate that somatostatin (SST) neurons of the tuberal hypothalamus alter feeding in a manner sensitive to metabolic and reproductive states in mice. Whereas chemogenetic activation of SST neurons increased food intake across sexes, ablation decreased food intake only in female mice during proestrus. This ablation effect was only apparent in animals with low body mass. Fat transplantation and bioinformatics analysis of SST neuronal transcriptomes revealed white adipose as a key modulator of these effects. These studies indicate that SST hypothalamic neurons integrate metabolic and reproductive cues by responding to varying levels of circulating estrogens to modulate feeding differentially based on energy stores. Thus, gonadal steroid modulation of neuronal circuits can be context dependent and gated by metabolic status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan G. Massa
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California – Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Neuroscience Interdepartmental Doctoral Program, University of California – Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Rachel L. Scott
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California – Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Alexandra L. Cara
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California – Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Laura R. Cortes
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California – Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Paul B. Vander
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California – Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Norma P. Sandoval
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California – Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Jae W. Park
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California – Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Sahara L. Ali
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California – Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Leandro M. Velez
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Huei-Bin Wang
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California – Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Shomik S. Ati
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California – Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Bethlehem Tesfaye
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California – Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Karen Reue
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - J. Edward van Veen
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California – Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Marcus M. Seldin
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, University of California – Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Stephanie M. Correa
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California – Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
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2
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Cortes LR, Sturgeon H, Forger NG. Sexual differentiation of estrogen receptor alpha subpopulations in the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus. Horm Behav 2023; 151:105348. [PMID: 36948113 PMCID: PMC10204815 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2023.105348] [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: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023]
Abstract
Estrogen receptor (ER) α-expressing neurons in the ventrolateral area of the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMHvl) are implicated in the control of many behaviors and physiological processes, some of which are sex-specific. Recently, three sex-differentiated ERα subpopulations have been discovered in the VMHvl marked by co-expression with tachikinin1 (Tac1), reprimo (Rprm), or prodynorphin (Pdyn), that may subserve specific functions. These markers show sex differences in adulthood: females have many more Tac1/Esr1 and Rprm/Esr1 co-expressing cells, while males have more Pdyn/Esr1 cells. In this study, we sought to understand the development of these sex differences and pinpoint the sex-differentiating signal. We examined developmental changes in the number of Esr1 cells co-expressing Tac1, Rprm or Pdyn using single-molecule in situ hybridization. We found that both sexes have similarly high numbers of Tac1/Esr1 and Rprm/Esr1 cells at birth, but newborn males have many more Pdyn/Esr1 cells than females. However, the number of cells with Tac1/Esr1 and Rprm/Esr1 co-expression markedly decreases by weaning in males, but not females, leading to sex differences in neurochemical expression. Female mice administered testosterone at birth have expression patterns akin to male mice. Thus, a substantial neurochemical reorganization of the VMHvl occurs in males between birth and weaning that likely underlies the previously reported sex differences in behavioral and physiological responses to estrogens in adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- L R Cortes
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| | - H Sturgeon
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - N G Forger
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
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3
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Massa MG, Scott RL, Cara AL, Cortes LR, Sandoval NP, Park JW, Ali S, Velez LM, Tesfaye B, Reue K, van Veen JE, Seldin M, Correa SM. Feeding Neurons Integrate Metabolic and Reproductive States in Mice. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.25.525595. [PMID: 36747631 PMCID: PMC9900829 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.25.525595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Trade-offs between metabolic and reproductive processes are important for survival, particularly in mammals that gestate their young. Puberty and reproduction, as energetically taxing life stages, are often gated by metabolic availability in animals with ovaries. How the nervous system coordinates these trade-offs is an active area of study. We identify somatostatin neurons of the tuberal nucleus (TNSST) as a node of the feeding circuit that alters feeding in a manner sensitive to metabolic and reproductive states in mice. Whereas chemogenetic activation of TNSST neurons increased food intake across sexes, selective ablation decreased food intake only in female mice during proestrus. Interestingly, this ablation effect was only apparent in animals with a low body mass. Fat transplantation and bioinformatics analysis of TNSST neuronal transcriptomes revealed white adipose as a key modulator of the effects of TNSST neurons on food intake. Together, these studies point to a mechanism whereby TNSST hypothalamic neurons modulate feeding by responding to varying levels of circulating estrogens differentially based on energy stores. This research provides insight into how neural circuits integrate reproductive and metabolic signals, and illustrates how gonadal steroid modulation of neuronal circuits can be context-dependent and gated by metabolic status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan G Massa
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Rachel L Scott
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Alexandra L Cara
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Laura R Cortes
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Norma P Sandoval
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Jae W Park
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Sahara Ali
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Leandro M Velez
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA
| | - Bethlehem Tesfaye
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Karen Reue
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - J Edward van Veen
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Marcus Seldin
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA
| | - Stephanie M Correa
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA
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4
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Prostaglandin E2 receptor Ptger4b regulates female-specific peptidergic neurons and female sexual receptivity in medaka. Commun Biol 2022; 5:1215. [PMID: 36357668 PMCID: PMC9649691 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-04195-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
In vertebrates, female receptivity to male courtship is highly dependent on ovarian secretion of estrogens and prostaglandins. We recently identified female-specific neurons in the medaka (Oryzias latipes) preoptic area that express Npba, a neuropeptide mediating female sexual receptivity, in response to ovarian estrogens. Here we show by transcriptomic analysis that these neurons express a multitude of neuropeptides, in addition to Npba, in an ovarian-dependent manner, and we thus termed them female-specific, sex steroid-responsive peptidergic (FeSP) neurons. Our results further revealed that FeSP neurons express a prostaglandin E2 receptor gene, ptger4b, in an ovarian estrogen-dependent manner. Behavioral and physiological examination of ptger4b-deficient female medaka found that they exhibit increased sexual receptivity while retaining normal ovarian function and that their FeSP neurons have reduced firing activity and impaired neuropeptide release. Collectively, this work provides evidence that prostaglandin E2/Ptger4b signaling mediates the estrogenic regulation of FeSP neuron activity and female sexual receptivity. Prostaglandin E2 signaling mediates the estrogenic regulation of peptidergic neuronal activity and female receptivity via the ptger4b gene pathway in Japanese rice fish.
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Velasco ER, Florido A, Flores Á, Senabre E, Gomez-Gomez A, Torres A, Roca A, Norrholm S, Newman EL, Das P, Ross RA, Lori A, Pozo OJ, Ressler KJ, Garcia-Esteve LL, Jovanovic T, Andero R. PACAP-PAC1R modulates fear extinction via the ventromedial hypothalamus. Nat Commun 2022; 13:4374. [PMID: 35902577 PMCID: PMC9334354 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31442-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Exposure to traumatic stress can lead to fear dysregulation, which has been associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Previous work showed that a polymorphism in the PACAP-PAC1R (pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide) system is associated with PTSD risk in women, and PACAP (ADCYAP1)-PAC1R (ADCYAP1R1) are highly expressed in the hypothalamus. Here, we show that female mice subjected to acute stress immobilization (IMO) have fear extinction impairments related to Adcyap1 and Adcyap1r1 mRNA upregulation in the hypothalamus, PACAP-c-Fos downregulation in the Medial Amygdala (MeA), and PACAP-FosB/ΔFosB upregulation in the Ventromedial Hypothalamus dorsomedial part (VMHdm). DREADD-mediated inhibition of MeA neurons projecting to the VMHdm during IMO rescues both PACAP upregulation in VMHdm and the fear extinction impairment. We also found that women with the risk genotype of ADCYAP1R1 rs2267735 polymorphism have impaired fear extinction.
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Affiliation(s)
- E R Velasco
- Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
| | - A Florido
- Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
- Departament de Psicobiologia i de Metodologia de les Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Á Flores
- Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
- Departament de Biologia Cel·lular, Fisiologia i Immunologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
| | - E Senabre
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology-NeuroPhar, Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, University Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - A Gomez-Gomez
- Integrative Pharmacology and Systems Neuroscience Research Group, Neurosciences Research Program, IMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute), Barcelona, Spain
| | - A Torres
- Perinatal Mental health Unit, Department of Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology, Institute of Neuroscience, Hospital Clínic, IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
- Programme for the Prevention and Treatment of Psychic Effects in Sexually Assaulted Women. Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - A Roca
- Perinatal Mental health Unit, Department of Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology, Institute of Neuroscience, Hospital Clínic, IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
| | - S Norrholm
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - E L Newman
- McLean Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - P Das
- Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Psychiatry Research Institute of Montefiore and Einstein, New York, NY, USA
| | - R A Ross
- Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Psychiatry Research Institute of Montefiore and Einstein, New York, NY, USA
| | - A Lori
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- American Cancer Society, Inc., Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - O J Pozo
- Integrative Pharmacology and Systems Neuroscience Research Group, Neurosciences Research Program, IMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute), Barcelona, Spain
| | - K J Ressler
- McLean Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - L L Garcia-Esteve
- Perinatal Mental health Unit, Department of Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology, Institute of Neuroscience, Hospital Clínic, IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
- Programme for the Prevention and Treatment of Psychic Effects in Sexually Assaulted Women. Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - T Jovanovic
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - R Andero
- Departament de Psicobiologia i de Metodologia de les Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica En Red en Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
- Unitat de Neurociència Traslacional, Parc Taulí Hospital Universitari, Institut d'Investigació i Innovació Parc Taulí (I3PT), Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain.
- ICREA, Barcelona, Spain.
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6
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Tu L, Fukuda M, Tong Q, Xu Y. The ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus: watchdog of whole-body glucose homeostasis. Cell Biosci 2022; 12:71. [PMID: 35619170 PMCID: PMC9134642 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-022-00799-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2021] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The brain, particularly the ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus (VMH), has been long known for its involvement in glucose sensing and whole-body glucose homeostasis. However, it is still not fully understood how the brain detects and responds to the changes in the circulating glucose levels, as well as brain-body coordinated control of glucose homeostasis. In this review, we address the growing evidence implicating the brain in glucose homeostasis, especially in the contexts of hypoglycemia and diabetes. In addition to neurons, we emphasize the potential roles played by non-neuronal cells, as well as extracellular matrix in the hypothalamus in whole-body glucose homeostasis. Further, we review the ionic mechanisms by which glucose-sensing neurons sense fluctuations of ambient glucose levels. We also introduce the significant implications of heterogeneous neurons in the VMH upon glucose sensing and whole-body glucose homeostasis, in which sex difference is also addressed. Meanwhile, research gaps have also been identified, which necessities further mechanistic studies in future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Longlong Tu
- USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, 1100 Bates Street #8066, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Makoto Fukuda
- USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, 1100 Bates Street #8066, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Qingchun Tong
- Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Yong Xu
- USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, 1100 Bates Street #8066, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
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7
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Dickinson SY, Kelly DA, Padilla SL, Bergan JF. From Reductionism Toward Integration: Understanding How Social Behavior Emerges From Integrated Circuits. Front Integr Neurosci 2022; 16:862437. [PMID: 35431824 PMCID: PMC9010670 DOI: 10.3389/fnint.2022.862437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Complex social behaviors are emergent properties of the brain's interconnected and overlapping neural networks. Questions aimed at understanding how brain circuits produce specific and appropriate behaviors have changed over the past half century, shifting from studies of gross anatomical and behavioral associations, to manipulating and monitoring precisely targeted cell types. This technical progression has enabled increasingly deep insights into the regulation of perception and behavior with remarkable precision. The capacity of reductionist approaches to identify the function of isolated circuits is undeniable but many behaviors require rapid integration of diverse inputs. This review examines progress toward understanding integrative social circuits and focuses on specific nodes of the social behavior network including the medial amygdala, ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) and medial preoptic area of the hypothalamus (MPOA) as examples of broad integration between multiple interwoven brain circuits. Our understanding of mechanisms for producing social behavior has deepened in conjunction with advances in technologies for visualizing and manipulating specific neurons and, here, we consider emerging strategies to address brain circuit function in the context of integrative anatomy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Y. Dickinson
- Neuroscience and Behavior Program, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, United States
| | - Diane A. Kelly
- Neuroscience and Behavior Program, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, United States
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, United States
| | - Stephanie L. Padilla
- Neuroscience and Behavior Program, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, United States
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, United States
| | - Joseph F. Bergan
- Neuroscience and Behavior Program, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, United States
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, United States
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Lizcano F. Roles of estrogens, estrogen-like compounds, and endocrine disruptors in adipocytes. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:921504. [PMID: 36213285 PMCID: PMC9533025 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.921504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Women are subject to constitutional changes after menopause, which increases conditions and diseases prone to cardiovascular risks such as obesity and diabetes mellitus. Both estrogens and androgens influence the individual's metabolic mechanism, which controls the fat distribution and the hypothalamic organization of the regulatory centers of hunger and satiety. While androgens tend to accumulate fat in the splanchnic and the visceral region with an increase in cardiovascular risk, estrogens generate more subcutaneous and extremity distribution of adipose tissue. The absence of estrogen during menopause seems to be the main factor that gives rise to the greater predisposition of women to suffer cardiovascular alterations. However, the mechanisms by which estrogens regulate the energy condition of people are not recognized. Estrogens have several mechanisms of action, which mainly include the modification of specific receptors that belong to the steroid receptor superfamily. The alpha estrogen receptors (ERα) and the beta receptors (ERβ) have a fundamental role in the metabolic control of the individual, with a very characteristic corporal distribution that exerts an influence on the metabolism of lipids and glucose. Despite the significant amount of knowledge in this field, many of the regulatory mechanisms exerted by estrogens and ER continue to be clarified. This review will discuss the role of estrogens and their receptors on the central regulation of caloric expenditure and the influence they exert on the differentiation and function of adipocytes. Furthermore, chemical substances with a hormonal activity that cause endocrine disruption with affectation on estrogen receptors will be considered. Finally, the different medical therapies for the vasomotor manifestations of menopause and their role in reducing obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular risk will be analyzed.
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Zhang N, Yan Z, Liu H, Yu M, He Y, Liu H, Liang C, Tu L, Wang L, Yin N, Han J, Scarcelli N, Yang Y, Wang C, Zeng T, Chen LL, Xu Y. Hypothalamic Perineuronal Nets Are Regulated by Sex and Dietary Interventions. Front Physiol 2021; 12:714104. [PMID: 34393830 PMCID: PMC8355523 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.714104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Perineuronal nets (PNNs) are widely present in the hypothalamus, and are thought to provide physical protection and ion buffering for neurons and regulate their synaptic plasticity and intracellular signaling. Recent evidence indicates that PNNs in the mediobasal hypothalamus play an important role in the regulation of glucose homeostasis. However, whether and how hypothalamic PNNs are regulated are not fully understood. In the present study, we examined whether PNNs in various hypothalamic regions in mice can be regulated by sex, gonadal hormones, dietary interventions, or their interactions. We demonstrated that gonadal hormones are required to maintain normal PNNs in the arcuate nucleus of hypothalamus in both male and female mice. In addition, PNNs in the terete hypothalamic nucleus display a sexual dimorphism with females higher than males, and high-fat diet feeding increases terete PNNs only in female mice but not in male mice. On the other hand, PNNs in other hypothalamic regions are not influenced by sex, gonadal hormones or dietary interventions. In summary, we demonstrated that hypothalamic PNNs are regulated in a region-specific manner and these results provide a framework to further investigate the potential functions of PNNs in regulating energy/glucose homeostasis at the interplay of sex, gonadal hormones and diets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Zhang
- Children’s Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- Department of Endocrinology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Provincial Clinical Research Center for Diabetes and Metabolic Disorder, Wuhan, China
| | - Zili Yan
- Children’s Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Hailan Liu
- Children’s Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Meng Yu
- Children’s Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Yang He
- Children’s Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Hesong Liu
- Children’s Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Chen Liang
- Children’s Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Longlong Tu
- Children’s Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Lina Wang
- Children’s Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Na Yin
- Children’s Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Junying Han
- Children’s Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Nikolas Scarcelli
- Children’s Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Yongjie Yang
- Children’s Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Chunmei Wang
- Children’s Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Tianshu Zeng
- Department of Endocrinology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Provincial Clinical Research Center for Diabetes and Metabolic Disorder, Wuhan, China
| | - Lu-Lu Chen
- Department of Endocrinology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Provincial Clinical Research Center for Diabetes and Metabolic Disorder, Wuhan, China
| | - Yong Xu
- Children’s Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
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10
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11
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Processing of intraspecific chemical signals in the rodent brain. Cell Tissue Res 2021; 383:525-533. [PMID: 33404846 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-020-03383-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
In the rodent brain, the central processing of ecologically relevant chemical stimuli involves many different areas located at various levels within the neuraxis: the main and accessory olfactory bulbs, some nuclei in the amygdala, the hypothalamus, and brainstem. These areas allow the integration of the chemosensory stimuli with other sensory information and the selection of the appropriate neurohormonal and behavioral response. This review is a brief introduction to the processing of intraspecific chemosensory stimuli beyond the secondary projection, focusing on the activity of the relevant amygdala and hypothalamic nuclei, namely the medial amygdala and ventromedial hypothalamus. These areas are involved in the appropriate interpretation of chemosensory information and drive the selection of the proper response, which may be behavioral or hormonal and may affect the neural activity of other areas in the telencephalon and brainstem.Recent data support the notion that the processing of intraspecific chemical signals is not unique to one chemosensory system and some molecules may activate both the main and the accessory olfactory system. Moreover, both these systems have mixed projections and cooperate for the correct identification of the stimuli and selection of relevant responses.
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12
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van Veen JE, Kammel LG, Bunda PC, Shum M, Reid MS, Massa MG, Arneson D, Park JW, Zhang Z, Joseph AM, Hrncir H, Liesa M, Arnold AP, Yang X, Correa SM. Hypothalamic estrogen receptor alpha establishes a sexually dimorphic regulatory node of energy expenditure. Nat Metab 2020; 2:351-363. [PMID: 32377634 PMCID: PMC7202561 DOI: 10.1038/s42255-020-0189-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2019] [Accepted: 03/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Estrogen receptor a (ERa) signaling in the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) contributes to energy homeostasis by modulating physical activity and thermogenesis. However, the precise neuronal populations involved remain undefined. Here, we describe six neuronal populations in the mouse VMH by using single-cell RNA transcriptomics and in situ hybridization. ERa is enriched in populations showing sex biased expression of reprimo (Rprm), tachykinin 1 (Tac1), and prodynorphin (Pdyn). Female biased expression of Tac1 and Rprm is patterned by ERa-dependent repression during male development, whereas male biased expression of Pdyn is maintained by circulating testicular hormone in adulthood. Chemogenetic activation of ERa positive VMH neurons stimulates heat generation and movement in both sexes. However, silencing Rprm gene function increases core temperature selectively in females and ectopic Rprm expression in males is associated with reduced core temperature. Together these findings reveal a role for Rprm in temperature regulation and ERa in the masculinization of neuron populations that underlie energy expenditure.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Edward van Veen
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology of the Brain Research Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- authors contributed equally
| | - Laura G Kammel
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology of the Brain Research Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Molecular, Cellular, and Integrative Physiology Graduate Program, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- authors contributed equally
| | - Patricia C Bunda
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Michael Shum
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, and Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Michelle S Reid
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Megan G Massa
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology of the Brain Research Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Neuroscience Interdepartmental Doctoral Program, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Douglas Arneson
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jae W Park
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Zhi Zhang
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology of the Brain Research Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Alexia M Joseph
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Haley Hrncir
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Marc Liesa
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, and Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Arthur P Arnold
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology of the Brain Research Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Xia Yang
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Stephanie M Correa
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology of the Brain Research Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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13
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Panzica G, Melcangi RC. Neuroactive steroids and the new decade. J Neuroendocrinol 2020; 32:e12832. [PMID: 31943411 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Giancarlo Panzica
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze "Rita Levi Montalcini", Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi (NICO), Università degli Studi di Torino, Orbassano, Italy
| | - Roberto C Melcangi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
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