1
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Khan R, Laumet G, Leinninger GM. Hungry for Relief: Potential for Neurotensin to Address Comorbid Obesity and Pain. Appetite 2024:107540. [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] [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
| | - Geoffroy Laumet
- Neuroscience Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824; Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824
| | - Gina M Leinninger
- Neuroscience Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824; Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824.
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2
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Ferreira FP, Pereira SS, Costa MM, Guimarães M, Albrechtsen NJW, Holst JJ, Nora M, Monteiro MP. Individuals with type 2 diabetes have higher density of small intestinal neurotensin-expressing cells. Mol Cell Biochem 2023; 478:2779-2787. [PMID: 36920577 PMCID: PMC10627918 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-023-04698-z] [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: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023]
Abstract
Neurotensin (NT) is a gastro-intestinal hormone involved in several pathways that regulate energy and glucose homeostasis. NT was hypothesized to act in synergy with incretin hormones to potentiate its anti-diabetic effects. Additionally, circulating NT levels were shown to rise after bariatric surgery-induced weight loss. Knowledge of NT-secreting cells distribution along the small intestine and its variation according to diabetes status could provide insights on NT role in mediating type 2 diabetes (T2D) improvement after bariatric surgery. So, our aims were to characterize NT-expressing cell distribution along the human small intestine and to compare the relative density of NT-expressing cells in the small intestine of individuals with and without T2D undergoing bariatric surgery for obesity treatment. Autopsy-derived small intestine fragments (n = 30) were obtained at every 20 cm along the entire intestinal length. Additionally, jejunum biopsies (n = 29) were obtained during elective gastric bypass interventions from patients with (n = 10) or without T2D (n = 18). NT-expressing cells were identified by immunohistochemistry and quantified via computerized morphometric analysis. NT-expressing cell density increased along the human small intestine. NT-expressing cell density was significantly higher from 200 cm distal to the duodenojejunal flexure onward, as well as in subjects with T2D when compared to those without T2D. NT-expressing cell density increases along the human small gut, and a higher density is found in individuals with T2D. This finding suggests a potential role for NT in the mechanisms of disease and T2D improvement observed after bariatric surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filipa P Ferreira
- Department of Anatomy, UMIB-Unidade Multidisciplinar de Investigação Biomédica, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, Building 1.3, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal
- ITR-Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health, Porto, Portugal
| | - Sofia S Pereira
- Department of Anatomy, UMIB-Unidade Multidisciplinar de Investigação Biomédica, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, Building 1.3, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal.
- ITR-Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health, Porto, Portugal.
| | - Madalena M Costa
- Department of Anatomy, UMIB-Unidade Multidisciplinar de Investigação Biomédica, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, Building 1.3, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal
- ITR-Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health, Porto, Portugal
| | - Marta Guimarães
- Department of Anatomy, UMIB-Unidade Multidisciplinar de Investigação Biomédica, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, Building 1.3, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal
- ITR-Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health, Porto, Portugal
- Department of General Surgery, Centro Hospitalar de Entre Douro E Vouga, Santa Maria da Feira, Portugal
| | - Nicolai J Wewer Albrechtsen
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, University of Copenhagen, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jens J Holst
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, University of Copenhagen, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mário Nora
- Department of General Surgery, Centro Hospitalar de Entre Douro E Vouga, Santa Maria da Feira, Portugal
| | - Mariana P Monteiro
- Department of Anatomy, UMIB-Unidade Multidisciplinar de Investigação Biomédica, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, Building 1.3, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal
- ITR-Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health, Porto, Portugal
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3
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Barrile F, Cassano D, Fernandez G, De Francesco PN, Reynaldo M, Cantel S, Fehrentz JA, Donato J, Schiöth HB, Zigman JM, Perello M. Ghrelin's orexigenic action in the lateral hypothalamic area involves indirect recruitment of orexin neurons and arcuate nucleus activation. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2023; 156:106333. [PMID: 37454647 PMCID: PMC10530520 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2023.106333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Ghrelin is a potent orexigenic hormone, and the lateral hypothalamic area (LHA) has been suggested as a putative target mediating ghrelin's effects on food intake. Here, we aimed to investigate the presence of neurons expressing ghrelin receptor (a.k.a. growth hormone secretagogue receptor, GHSR) in the mouse LHA (LHAGHSR neurons), its physiological implications and the neuronal circuit recruited by local ghrelin action. METHODS We investigated the distribution of LHAGHSR neurons using different histologic strategies, including the use of a reporter mice expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein under the control of the GHSR promoter. Also, we investigated the physiological implications of local injections of ghrelin within the LHA, and the extent to which the orexigenic effect of intra-LHA-injected ghrelin involves the arcuate nucleus (ARH) and orexin neurons of the LHA (LHAorexin neurons) RESULTS: We found that: 1) LHAGHSR neurons are homogeneously distributed throughout the entire LHA; 2) intra-LHA injections of ghrelin transiently increase food intake and locomotor activity; 3) ghrelin's orexigenic effect in the LHA involves the indirect recruitment of LHAorexin neurons and the activation of ARH neurons; and 4) LHAGHSR neurons are not targeted by plasma ghrelin. CONCLUSIONS We provide a compelling neuroanatomical and functional characterization of LHAGHSR neurons in male mice that indicates that LHAGHSR cells are part of a hypothalamic neuronal circuit that potently induces food intake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franco Barrile
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology of the Multidisciplinary Institute of Cell Biology [IMBICE, Argentine Research Council (CONICET) and Scientific Research Commission, Province of Buenos Aires (CIC-PBA), National University of La Plata], La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Daniela Cassano
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology of the Multidisciplinary Institute of Cell Biology [IMBICE, Argentine Research Council (CONICET) and Scientific Research Commission, Province of Buenos Aires (CIC-PBA), National University of La Plata], La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Gimena Fernandez
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology of the Multidisciplinary Institute of Cell Biology [IMBICE, Argentine Research Council (CONICET) and Scientific Research Commission, Province of Buenos Aires (CIC-PBA), National University of La Plata], La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Pablo N De Francesco
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology of the Multidisciplinary Institute of Cell Biology [IMBICE, Argentine Research Council (CONICET) and Scientific Research Commission, Province of Buenos Aires (CIC-PBA), National University of La Plata], La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Mirta Reynaldo
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology of the Multidisciplinary Institute of Cell Biology [IMBICE, Argentine Research Council (CONICET) and Scientific Research Commission, Province of Buenos Aires (CIC-PBA), National University of La Plata], La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Sonia Cantel
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, Montpellier, France
| | - Jean-Alain Fehrentz
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, Montpellier, France
| | - José Donato
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Instituto de Ciencias Biomedicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Helgi B Schiöth
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Functional Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Uppsala, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jeffrey M Zigman
- Center for Hypothalamic Research, Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Mario Perello
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology of the Multidisciplinary Institute of Cell Biology [IMBICE, Argentine Research Council (CONICET) and Scientific Research Commission, Province of Buenos Aires (CIC-PBA), National University of La Plata], La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Department of Surgical Sciences, Functional Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Uppsala, Uppsala, Sweden.
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4
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Tsuneoka Y, Nishikawa T, Furube E, Okamoto K, Yoshimura R, Funato H, Miyata S. Characterization of TRPM8-expressing neurons in the adult mouse hypothalamus. Neurosci Lett 2023; 814:137463. [PMID: 37640249 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2023.137463] [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: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 08/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Transient receptor potential melastatin 8 (TRPM8) is a menthol receptor that detects cold temperatures and influences behaviors and autonomic functions under cold stimuli. Despite the well-documented peripheral roles of TRPM8, the evaluation of its central functions is still of great interest. The present study clarifies the nature of a subpopulation of TRPM8-expressing neurons in the adult mice. Combined in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry revealed that TRPM8-expressing neurons are exclusively positive for glutamate decarboxylase 67 mRNA signals in the lateral septal nucleus (LS) and preoptic area (POA) but produced no positive signal for vesicular glutamate transporter 2. Double labeling immunohistochemistry showed the colocalization of TRPM8 with vesicular GABA transporter at axonal terminals. Immunohistochemistry further revealed that TRPM8-expressing neurons frequently expressed calbindin and calretinin in the LS, but not in the POA. TRPM8-expressing neurons in the POA expressed a prostaglandin E2 receptor, EP3, and neurotensin, whereas expression in the LS was minimal. These results indicate that hypothalamic TRPM8-expressing neurons are inhibitory GABAergic, while the expression profile of calcium-binding proteins, neurotensin, and EP3 differs between the POA and LS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yousuke Tsuneoka
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Toho University, Tokyo 143-8540, Japan
| | - Taichi Nishikawa
- Department of Applied Biology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Matsugasaki, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan
| | - Eriko Furube
- Department of Anatomy, Asahikawa Medical University School of Medicine, Midorigaoka, Asahikawa, Hokkaido 078-8510, Japan
| | - Kaho Okamoto
- Department of Applied Biology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Matsugasaki, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan
| | - Ryoichi Yoshimura
- Department of Applied Biology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Matsugasaki, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan
| | - Hiromasa Funato
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Toho University, Tokyo 143-8540, Japan; International Institutes for Integrative Sleep Medicine (WPI-IIIS), University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan
| | - Seiji Miyata
- Department of Applied Biology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Matsugasaki, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan.
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5
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Petzold A, van den Munkhof HE, Figge-Schlensok R, Korotkova T. Complementary lateral hypothalamic populations resist hunger pressure to balance nutritional and social needs. Cell Metab 2023; 35:456-471.e6. [PMID: 36827985 PMCID: PMC10028225 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2023.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
Animals continuously weigh hunger and thirst against competing needs, such as social contact and mating, according to state and opportunity. Yet neuronal mechanisms of sensing and ranking nutritional needs remain poorly understood. Here, combining calcium imaging in freely behaving mice, optogenetics, and chemogenetics, we show that two neuronal populations of the lateral hypothalamus (LH) guide increasingly hungry animals through behavioral choices between nutritional and social rewards. While increased food consumption was marked by increasing inhibition of a leptin receptor-expressing (LepRLH) subpopulation at a fast timescale, LepRLH neurons limited feeding or drinking and promoted social interaction despite hunger or thirst. Conversely, neurotensin-expressing LH neurons preferentially encoded water despite hunger pressure and promoted water seeking, while relegating social needs. Thus, hunger and thirst gate both LH populations in a complementary manner to enable the flexible fulfillment of multiple essential needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Petzold
- Institute for Systems Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cologne and University Clinic Cologne, Cologne 50931, Germany; Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, Cologne 50931, Germany
| | - Hanna Elin van den Munkhof
- Institute for Systems Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cologne and University Clinic Cologne, Cologne 50931, Germany; Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, Cologne 50931, Germany
| | - Rebecca Figge-Schlensok
- Institute for Systems Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cologne and University Clinic Cologne, Cologne 50931, Germany; Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, Cologne 50931, Germany
| | - Tatiana Korotkova
- Institute for Systems Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cologne and University Clinic Cologne, Cologne 50931, Germany; Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, Cologne 50931, Germany; Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging Associated Diseases (CECAD) and Center of Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, Cologne 50931, Germany.
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6
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Kurt G, Kodur N, Quiles CR, Reynolds C, Eagle A, Mayer T, Brown J, Makela A, Bugescu R, Seo HD, Carroll QE, Daniels D, Robison AJ, Mazei-Robison M, Leinninger G. Time to drink: Activating lateral hypothalamic area neurotensin neurons promotes intake of fluid over food in a time-dependent manner. Physiol Behav 2022; 247:113707. [PMID: 35063424 PMCID: PMC8844224 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2022.113707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 01/16/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
The lateral hypothalamic area (LHA) is essential for ingestive behavior but has primarily been studied in modulating feeding, with comparatively scant attention on drinking. This is partly because most LHA neurons simultaneously promote feeding and drinking, suggesting that ingestive behaviors track together. A notable exception are LHA neurons expressing neurotensin (LHANts neurons): activating these neurons promotes water intake but modestly restrains feeding. Here we investigated the connectivity of LHANts neurons, their necessity and sufficiency for drinking and feeding, and how timing and resource availability influence their modulation of these behaviors. LHANts neurons project broadly throughout the brain, including to the lateral preoptic area (LPO), a brain region implicated in modulating drinking behavior. LHANts neurons also receive inputs from brain regions implicated in sensing hydration and energy status. While activation of LHANts neurons is not required to maintain homeostatic water or food intake, it selectively promotes drinking during the light cycle, when ingestive drive is low. Activating LHANts neurons during this period also increases willingness to work for water or palatable fluids, regardless of their caloric content. By contrast, LHANts neuronal activation during the dark cycle does not promote drinking, but suppresses feeding during this time. Finally, we demonstrate that the activation of the LHANts → LPO projection is sufficient to mediate drinking behavior, but does not suppress feeding as observed after generally activating all LHANts neurons. Overall, our work suggests how and when LHANts neurons oppositely modulate ingestive behaviors.
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Key Words
- ARC, Arcuate nucleus
- CEA, Central amygdala
- CNO, Clozapine N-Oxide
- CPP, Conditioned place preference
- DR, Dorsal raphe
- DREADD
- DREADD, Designer receptor exclusively activated by designer drugs
- FR-1, Fixed ratio-1
- LHA
- LHA(Nts), Lateral hypothalamic area neuotensin-expressing
- LHA, Lateral hypothalamic area
- LPO, Lateral preoptic area
- LT, Lateral terminalis
- LepRb, Long form of the leptin receptor
- MnPO, Median preoptic area
- ModRabies, Genetically modified rabies virus, EnvA-∆G-Rabies-mCherry
- NTS, Nucleus of solitary tract
- Nts, Neurotensin
- NtsR1, Neurotensin receptor-1
- NtsR2, Neurotensin receptor-2
- OVLT, Organum vasculosum lamina terminalis
- PAG, Periaqueductal gray
- PB, Parabrachial area
- PR, Progressive ratio
- PVH, Paraventricular nucleus of hypothalamus
- SFO, Subfornical organ
- SNc, Substantia nigra compacta
- SO, Supraoptic nucleus
- TVA, avian viral receptor protein
- VEH, Vehicle
- VTA, Ventral tegmental area
- WT, Wild type
- Water
- aCSF, Artificial cerebrospinal fluid
- body weight
- feeding
- homeostasis
- lHb, Lateral habenula
- lateral preoptic area (LPO)
- neurotensin receptor
- reward
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Affiliation(s)
- Gizem Kurt
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Nandan Kodur
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | | | - Chelsea Reynolds
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Andrew Eagle
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Tom Mayer
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Juliette Brown
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Anna Makela
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Raluca Bugescu
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Harim Delgado Seo
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Quinn E Carroll
- Department of Psychology and the Center for Ingestive Behavior Research, University at Buffalo, the State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14226, USA
| | - Derek Daniels
- Department of Psychology and the Center for Ingestive Behavior Research, University at Buffalo, the State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14226, USA
| | - A J Robison
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | | | - Gina Leinninger
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.
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7
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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: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.5] [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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8
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New Insights in the Control of Fat Homeostasis: The Role of Neurotensin. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23042209. [PMID: 35216326 PMCID: PMC8876516 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23042209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurotensin (NT) is a small peptide with pleiotropic functions, exerting its primary actions by controlling food intake and energy balance. The first evidence of an involvement of NT in metabolism came from studies on the central nervous system and brain circuits, where NT acts as a neurotransmitter, producing different effects in relation to the specific region involved. Moreover, newer interesting chapters on peripheral NT and metabolism have emerged since the first studies on the NT-mediated regulation of gut lipid absorption and fat homeostasis. Intriguingly, NT enhances fat absorption from the gut lumen in the presence of food with a high fat content, and this action may explain the strong association between high circulating levels of pro-NT, the NT stable precursor, and the increased incidence of metabolic disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer observed in large population studies. This review aims to provide a synthetic overview of the main regulatory effects of NT on several biological pathways, particularly those involving energy balance, and will focus on new evidence on the role of NT in controlling fat homeostasis, thus influencing the risk of unfavorable cardio–metabolic outcomes and overall mortality in humans.
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9
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Cimini FA, Barchetta I, Bertoccini L, Ceccarelli V, Baroni MG, Melander O, Cavallo MG. High pro-neurotensin levels in individuals with type 1 diabetes associate with the development of cardiovascular risk factors at follow-up. Acta Diabetol 2022; 59:49-56. [PMID: 34455471 PMCID: PMC8758622 DOI: 10.1007/s00592-021-01783-x] [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: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Neurotensin (NT) is a gut hormone that promotes lipids absorption and controls appetite. Elevated circulating pro-NT, the stable precursor of NT, is associated with cardiovascular (CV) disease, metabolic syndrome (MS) and type 2 diabetes (T2D). Features of MS and insulin resistance are reported also in type 1 diabetes (T1D), with detrimental impact on the overall CV risk profile. Aims of the study were to evaluate plasma pro-NT in T1D patients and to test whether its levels are associated with and/or predictive of CV risk factors and overall risk profile. METHODS For this longitudinal retrospective study, we analyzed clinical data from 41 T1D individuals referring to the diabetes outpatient clinics at Sapienza University of Rome, Italy, collected at the baseline and after 10 years. Fasting plasma pro-NT levels were measured in T1D subjects at the baseline and in 34 age-, sex-, BMI-comparable healthy individuals recruited in the same period. RESULTS Pro-NT did not differ significantly between patients and controls (median[range] pro-NT: 156.3 [96.6-198.2] vs. 179.4 [139.7-230.7] pmol/L, p = 0.26). In T1D, greater fasting pro-NT associated with poor glycemic control at baseline and predicted increased waist circumference, reduced insulin sensitivity, dyslipidemia and hypertension at 10-year follow-up. High pro-NT predicted 10-year very-high CV risk with adjusted OR = 11 (95%C.I.: 1.4-94.5; p = 0.029). CONCLUSIONS In T1D individuals, elevated pro-NT levels predict the development of adverse metabolic profile, which translates in higher CV risk profile at 10-year follow-up. Pro-NT represents a novel predictor/marker of CV risk factors in adults with T1D.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flavia Agata Cimini
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Ilaria Barchetta
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Bertoccini
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Marco Giorgio Baroni
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Public Health, Life and Environmental Sciences (MeSVA), University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
- Neuroendocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli (Is), Italy
| | - Olle Melander
- Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö, Lund University, Malmoe, Sweden
- Department of Internal Medicine, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden
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10
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Obesity-related gut hormones and cancer: novel insight into the pathophysiology. Int J Obes (Lond) 2021; 45:1886-1898. [PMID: 34088971 DOI: 10.1038/s41366-021-00865-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Revised: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The number of cancers attributed to obesity is increasing over time. The mechanisms classically implicated in cancer pathogenesis and progression in patients with obesity involve adiposity-related alteration of insulin, sex hormones, and adipokine pathways. However, they do not fully capture the complexity of the association between obesity-related nutritional imbalance and cancer. Gut hormones are secreted by enteroendocrine cells along the gastrointestinal tract in response to nutritional cues, and act as nutrient sensors, regulating eating behavior and energy homeostasis and playing a role in immune-modulation. The dysregulation of gastrointestinal hormone physiology has been implicated in obesity pathogenesis. For their peculiar function, at the cross-road between nutrients intake, energy homeostasis and inflammation, gut hormones might represent an important but still underestimated mechanism underling the obesity-related high incidence of cancer. In addition, cancer research has revealed the widespread expression of gut hormone receptors in neoplastic tissues, underscoring their implication in cell proliferation, migration, and invasion processes that characterize tumor growth and aggressiveness. In this review, we hypothesize that obesity-related alterations in gut hormones might be implicated in cancer pathogenesis, and provide evidence of the pathways potentially involved.
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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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Yi D, Yu H, Lu K, Ruan C, Ding C, Tong L, Zhao X, Chen D. AMPK Signaling in Energy Control, Cartilage Biology, and Osteoarthritis. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:696602. [PMID: 34239878 PMCID: PMC8258395 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.696602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) was initially identified as an enzyme acting as an "energy sensor" in maintaining energy homeostasis via serine/threonine phosphorylation when low cellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) level was sensed. AMPK participates in catabolic and anabolic processes at the molecular and cellular levels and is involved in appetite-regulating circuit in the hypothalamus. AMPK signaling also modulates energy metabolism in organs such as adipose tissue, brain, muscle, and heart, which are highly dependent on energy consumption via adjusting the AMP/ADP:ATP ratio. In clinics, biguanides and thiazolidinediones are prescribed to patients with metabolic disorders through activating AMPK signaling and inhibiting complex I in the mitochondria, leading to a reduction in mitochondrial respiration and elevated ATP production. The role of AMPK in mediating skeletal development and related diseases remains obscure. In this review, in addition to discuss the emerging advances of AMPK studies in energy control, we will also illustrate current discoveries of AMPK in chondrocyte homeostasis, osteoarthritis (OA) development, and the signaling interaction of AMPK with other pathways, such as mTOR (mechanistic target of rapamycin), Wnt, and NF-κB (nuclear factor κB) under OA condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Yi
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen, China
- Research Center for Human Tissues and Organs Degeneration, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Huan Yu
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen, China
- Research Center for Human Tissues and Organs Degeneration, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Ke Lu
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen, China
- Research Center for Human Tissues and Organs Degeneration, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Changshun Ruan
- Research Center for Human Tissues and Organs Degeneration, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Changhai Ding
- Clinical Research Centre, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | - Liping Tong
- Research Center for Human Tissues and Organs Degeneration, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiaoli Zhao
- Research Center for Human Tissues and Organs Degeneration, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Di Chen
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen, China
- Research Center for Human Tissues and Organs Degeneration, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
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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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Barchetta I, Bertoccini L, Sentinelli F, Bailetti D, Marini G, Cimini FA, Ceccarelli V, Struck J, Schulte J, Loche S, Cossu E, Melander O, Cavallo MG, Baroni MG. Circulating pro-neurotensin levels predict bodyweight gain and metabolic alterations in children. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis 2021; 31:902-910. [PMID: 33549442 DOI: 10.1016/j.numecd.2020.11.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Revised: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Neurotensin (NT) is an intestinal peptide released after fat ingestion, which regulates appetite and facilitates lipid absorption. Elevated plasma levels of its stable precursor pro-neurotensin (pro-NT) are associated with type 2 diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular mortality in adult populations; no data on pro-NT and metabolic disease are available in children. Aim of the study was to evaluate plasma pro-NT in relation to the presence of obesity in children, and to test if high pro-NT associates with the development of metabolic impairment later in life. METHODS AND RESULTS For this longitudinal retrospective study, we studied 151 overweight/obese children undergoing metabolic evaluations at University of Cagliari, Italy. Pro-NT was also assessed in 46 normal-weight, age-, sex-comparable normal-weight children, selected as a reference group. At the baseline, pro-NT was comparable between overweight/obese and normal-weight children and correlated positively with age (p < 0.001), triglycerides (p < 0.001) and inversely with HDL levels (p = 0.008). Plasma pro-NT associated with high triglycerides with OR = 5.9 (95%CI: 1.24-28.1; p = 0.026) after adjustment for multiple confounders. At the 6.5-year follow-up, high basal pro-NT associated with impaired β-cell function to compensate for insulin-resistance (disposition index: r = -0.19, p = 0.035) and predicted bodyweight increase, as indicated by percentage change of standard deviation score BMI (median(95%CI) = +20.8(+4.9-+27.5)% in the highest tertile), independently from age, sex, triglycerides and insulin-resistance (standardized β = 0.24; p = 0.036). CONCLUSIONS Elevated pro-NT levels in children are significantly associated with weight gain later in life and may represent a marker of susceptibility to metabolic impairment in presence of obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Barchetta
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Bertoccini
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Federica Sentinelli
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Public Health, Life and Environmental Sciences (MeSVA), University of L'Aquila, Italy; Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Diego Bailetti
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Public Health, Life and Environmental Sciences (MeSVA), University of L'Aquila, Italy; Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Giacomo Marini
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | - Sandro Loche
- Pediatric Endocrine Unit, Ospedale Pediatrico Microcitemico "A. Cao", Cagliari, Italy
| | - Efisio Cossu
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Italy
| | - Olle Melander
- Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö, Lund University, Malmoe, Sweden; Department of Internal Medicine, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Maria G Cavallo
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Marco G Baroni
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Public Health, Life and Environmental Sciences (MeSVA), University of L'Aquila, Italy; Neuroendocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Is, Italy.
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Abstract
Introduction: Neurotensin is a gut-brain peptide hormone, a 13 amino acid neuropeptide found in the central nervous system and in the GI tract. The neurotensinergic system is implicated in various physiological and pathological processes related to neuropsychiatric and metabolic machineries, cancer growth, food, and drug intake. NT mediates its functions through its two G protein-coupled receptors: neurotensin receptor 1 (NTS1/NTSR1) and neurotensin receptor 2 (NTS2/NTSR2). Over the past decade, the role of NTS3/NTSR3/sortilin has also gained importance in human pathologies. Several approaches have appeared dealing with the discovery of compounds able to modulate the functions of this neuropeptide through its receptors for therapeutic gain.Areas covered: The article provides an overview of over four decades of research and details the drug discovery approaches and patented strategies targeting NTSR in the past decade.Expert opinion: Neurotensin is an important neurotransmitter that enables crosstalk with various neurotransmitter and neuroendocrine systems. While significant efforts have been made that have led to selective agonists and antagonists with promising in vitro and in vivo activities, the therapeutic potential of compounds targeting the neurotensinergic system is still to be fully harnessed for successful clinical translation of compounds for the treatment of several pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malliga R Iyer
- Section on Medicinal Chemistry, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - George Kunos
- Laboratory of Physiologic Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
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Wu Z, Stadler N, Abbaci A, Liu J, Boullier A, Marie N, Biondi O, Moldes M, Morichon R, Feve B, Melander O, Forgez P. Effect of Monoclonal Antibody Blockade of Long Fragment Neurotensin on Weight Loss, Behavior, and Metabolic Traits After High-Fat Diet Induced Obesity. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:739287. [PMID: 34690932 PMCID: PMC8531653 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.739287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Obesity is a major public health problem of our time as a risk factor for cardiometabolic disease and the available pharmacological tools needed to tackle the obesity pandemic are insufficient. Neurotensin (NTS) is a 13 amino acid peptide, which is derived from a larger precursor hormone called proneurotensin or Long Form NTS (LF NTS). NTS modulates neuro-transmitter release in the central system nervous, and facilitates intestinal fat absorption in the gastrointestinal tract. Mice lacking LF NTS are protected from high fat diet (HFD) induced obesity, hepatic steatosis and glucose intolerance. In humans, increased levels of LF NTS strongly and independently predict the development of obesity, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease and mortality. With the perspective to develop therapeutic tools to neutralize LF NTS, we developed a monoclonal antibody, specifically inhibiting the function of the LF NTS (LF NTS mAb). This antibody was tested for the effects on body weight, metabolic parameters and behavior in mice made obese by high-fat diet. METHODS C57bl/6j mice were subjected to high-fat diet (HFD) until they reached an obesity state, then food was switched to chow. Mice were treated with either PBS (control therapy) or LF NTS mAb at the dose of 5 mg/kg once a week (i.v.). Mice weight, plasma biochemical analysis, fat and muscle size and distribution and behavioral tests were performed during the losing weight period and the stabilization period. RESULTS Obese mice treated with the LF NTS mAb lost weight significantly faster than the control treated group. LF NTS mAb treatment also resulted in smaller fat depots, increased fecal cholesterol excretion, reduced liver fat and larger muscle fiber size. Moreover, mice on active therapy were also less stressed, more curious and more active, providing a possible explanation to their weight loss. CONCLUSION Our results demonstrate that in mice subjected to HFD-induced obesity, a blockade of LF NTS with a monoclonal antibody results in reduced body weight, adipocyte volume and increased muscle fiber size, possibly explained by beneficial effects on behavior. The underlying mechanisms as well as any future role of LF NTS mAb as an anti-obesity agent warrants further studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zherui Wu
- Inserm UMRS 1124 T3S, Paris University, Paris, France
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | | | | | - Jin Liu
- Inserm UMRS 1124 T3S, Paris University, Paris, France
| | - Agnès Boullier
- MP3CV-UR7517, CURS-Université de Picardie Jules Verne & Laboratoire de Biochimie CHU Amiens-Picardie, Amiens, France
| | - Nicolas Marie
- Inserm UMRS 1124 T3S, Paris University, Paris, France
- CNRS, ERL 3649, Pharmacologie et thérapies des addictions, Paris, France
| | | | - Marthe Moldes
- Sorbonne University, INSERM UMRS 938, Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine, Paris, France
- Institute of CardioMetabolism and Nutrition, Paris, France
| | - Romain Morichon
- Sorbonne University, CRSA Cytométrie Imagerie Saint-Antoine, Paris, France
| | - Bruno Feve
- Institute of CardioMetabolism and Nutrition, Paris, France
- AP-HP, Hôpital Saint-Antoine, Service Endocrinologie, CRMR PRISIS, Paris, France
| | - Olle Melander
- Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
- Department of Emergency and Internal Medicine, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden
- *Correspondence: Patricia Forgez, ; Olle Melander,
| | - Patricia Forgez
- Inserm UMRS 1124 T3S, Paris University, Paris, France
- *Correspondence: Patricia Forgez, ; Olle Melander,
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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: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [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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Harris T, Bugescu R, Kelly J, Makela A, Sotzen M, Sisk C, Atkin G, Pratt R, Crockett E, Leinninger G. DLK1 Expressed in Mouse Orexin Neurons Modulates Anxio-Depressive Behavior but Not Energy Balance. Brain Sci 2020; 10:brainsci10120975. [PMID: 33322758 PMCID: PMC7764426 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci10120975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Revised: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Lateral hypothalamic area (LHA) neurons expressing the neuropeptide orexin (OX) are implicated in obesity and anxio-depression. However, these neurons release OX as well as a host of other proteins that might contribute to normal physiology and disease states. We hypothesized that delta-like homolog 1 (DLK1), a protein reported to be co-expressed by all OX neurons, contributes to the regulation of energy balance and/or anxio-depression. Consistent with previous reports, we found that all rat OX neurons co-express DLK1. Yet, in mice and humans only a subset of OX neurons co-expressed DLK1. Since human OX-DLK1 distribution is more similar to mice than rats, mice are a comparable model to assess the human physiologic role of DLK1. We therefore used a viral lesion strategy to selectively delete DLK1 within the LHA of adult mice (DLK1Null) to reveal its role in body weight and behavior. Adult-onset DLK1 deletion had no impact on body weight or ingestive behavior. However, DLK1Null mice engaged in more locomotor activity than control mice and had decreased anxiety and depression measured via the elevated plus maze and forced swim tests. These data suggest that DLK1 expression via DLK1-expressing OX neurons primarily contributes to anxio-depression behaviors without impacting body weight.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiyana Harris
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA; (T.H.); (R.B.); (J.K.); (A.M.); (M.S.)
| | - Raluca Bugescu
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA; (T.H.); (R.B.); (J.K.); (A.M.); (M.S.)
| | - Jaylyn Kelly
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA; (T.H.); (R.B.); (J.K.); (A.M.); (M.S.)
| | - Anna Makela
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA; (T.H.); (R.B.); (J.K.); (A.M.); (M.S.)
| | - Morgan Sotzen
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA; (T.H.); (R.B.); (J.K.); (A.M.); (M.S.)
| | - Cheryl Sisk
- Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA;
| | - Graham Atkin
- Department of Radiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA;
| | - Rebecca Pratt
- Department of Foundational Medical Studies, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, Rochester, MI 48309, USA;
| | - Elahé Crockett
- Department of Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA;
| | - Gina Leinninger
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA; (T.H.); (R.B.); (J.K.); (A.M.); (M.S.)
- Correspondence:
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Lee J, Raycraft L, Johnson AW. The dynamic regulation of appetitive behavior through lateral hypothalamic orexin and melanin concentrating hormone expressing cells. Physiol Behav 2020; 229:113234. [PMID: 33130035 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2020.113234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The lateral hypothalamic area (LHA) is a heterogeneous brain structure extensively studied for its potent role in regulating energy balance. The anatomical and molecular diversity of the LHA permits the orchestration of responses to energy sensing cues from the brain and periphery. Two of the primary cell populations within the LHA associated with integration of this information are Orexin (ORX) and Melanin Concentrating Hormone (MCH). While both of these non-overlapping populations exhibit orexigenic properties, the activities of these two systems support feeding behavior through contrasting mechanisms. We describe the anatomical and functional properties as well as interaction with other neuropeptides and brain reward and hedonic systems. Specific outputs relating to arousal, food seeking, feeding, and metabolism are coordinated through these mechanisms. We then discuss how both the ORX and MCH systems harmonize in a divergent yet overall cooperative manner to orchestrate feeding behavior through transitions between various appetitive states, and thus offer novel insights into LHA allostatic control of appetite.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Alexander W Johnson
- Department of Psychology; Neuroscience Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing.
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20
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Kim S, Nam Y, Shin SJ, Park YH, Jeon SG, Kim JI, Kim MJ, Moon M. The Potential Roles of Ghrelin in Metabolic Syndrome and Secondary Symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease. Front Neurosci 2020; 14:583097. [PMID: 33071750 PMCID: PMC7543232 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.583097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Although the major causative factors of Alzheimer's disease (AD) are the accumulation of amyloid β and hyperphosphorylated tau, AD can also be caused by metabolic dysfunction. The major clinical symptom of AD is cognitive dysfunction. However, AD is also accompanied by various secondary symptoms such as depression, sleep-wake disturbances, and abnormal eating behaviors. Interestingly, the orexigenic hormone ghrelin has been suggested to have beneficial effects on AD-related metabolic syndrome and secondary symptoms. Ghrelin improves lipid distribution and alters insulin sensitivity, effects that are hypothesized to delay the progression of AD. Furthermore, ghrelin can relieve depression by enhancing the secretion of hormones such as serotonin, noradrenaline, and orexin. Moreover, ghrelin can upregulate the expression of neurotrophic factors such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor and modulate the release of proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin 1β. Ghrelin alleviates sleep-wake disturbances by increasing the levels of melatonin, melanin-concentrating hormone. Ghrelin reduces the risk of abnormal eating behaviors by increasing neuropeptide Y and γ-aminobutyric acid. In addition, ghrelin increases food intake by inhibiting fatty acid biosynthesis. However, despite the numerous studies on the role of ghrelin in the AD-related pathology and metabolic disorders, there are only a few studies that investigate the effects of ghrelin on secondary symptoms associated with AD. In this mini review, our purpose is to provide the insights of future study by organizing the previous studies for the role of ghrelin in AD-related pathology and metabolic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sujin Kim
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Konyang University, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Yunkwon Nam
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Konyang University, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Soo Jung Shin
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Konyang University, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Yong Ho Park
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Konyang University, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Seong Gak Jeon
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Konyang University, Daejeon, South Korea.,Department of Neural Development and Disease, Korea Brain Research Institute (KBRI), Daegu, South Korea
| | - Jin-Il Kim
- Department of Nursing, College of Nursing, Jeju National University, Jeju-si, South Korea
| | - Min-Jeong Kim
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Konyang University, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Minho Moon
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Konyang University, Daejeon, South Korea
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21
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Eagle AL, Manning CE, Williams ES, Bastle RM, Gajewski PA, Garrison A, Wirtz AJ, Akguen S, Brandel-Ankrapp K, Endege W, Boyce FM, Ohnishi YN, Mazei-Robison M, Maze I, Neve RL, Robison AJ. Circuit-specific hippocampal ΔFosB underlies resilience to stress-induced social avoidance. Nat Commun 2020; 11:4484. [PMID: 32901027 PMCID: PMC7479591 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-17825-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2019] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic stress is a key risk factor for mood disorders like depression, but the stress-induced changes in brain circuit function and gene expression underlying depression symptoms are not completely understood, hindering development of novel treatments. Because of its projections to brain regions regulating reward and anxiety, the ventral hippocampus is uniquely poised to translate the experience of stress into altered brain function and pathological mood, though the cellular and molecular mechanisms of this process are not fully understood. Here, we use a novel method of circuit-specific gene editing to show that the transcription factor ΔFosB drives projection-specific activity of ventral hippocampus glutamatergic neurons causing behaviorally diverse responses to stress. We establish molecular, cellular, and circuit-level mechanisms for depression- and anxiety-like behavior in response to stress and use circuit-specific gene expression profiling to uncover novel downstream targets as potential sites of therapeutic intervention in depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew L Eagle
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Claire E Manning
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | | | - Ryan M Bastle
- Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine, Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Paula A Gajewski
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Amber Garrison
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Alexis J Wirtz
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Seda Akguen
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | | | - Wilson Endege
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Frederick M Boyce
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Yoshinori N Ohnishi
- Department of Pharmacology, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Fukuoka, Japan
- Department of Medical Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | | | - Ian Maze
- Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine, Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Rachel L Neve
- Gene Technology Transfer Core, Massachusetts General Hospital, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Alfred J Robison
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.
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22
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Suarez AN, Liu CM, Cortella AM, Noble EE, Kanoski SE. Ghrelin and Orexin Interact to Increase Meal Size Through a Descending Hippocampus to Hindbrain Signaling Pathway. Biol Psychiatry 2020; 87:1001-1011. [PMID: 31836175 PMCID: PMC7188579 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2019.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2019] [Revised: 10/01/2019] [Accepted: 10/19/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Memory and cognitive processes influence the amount of food consumed during a meal, yet the neurobiological mechanisms mediating these effects are poorly understood. The hippocampus (HPC) has recently emerged as a brain region that integrates feeding-relevant biological signals with learning and memory processes to regulate feeding. We investigated whether the gut-derived hormone ghrelin acts in the ventral HPC (vHPC) to increase meal size through interactions with gut-derived satiation signaling. METHODS Interactions between vHPC ghrelin signaling, gut-derived satiation signaling, feeding, and interoceptive discrimination learning were assessed via rodent behavioral neuropharmacological approaches. Downstream neural pathways were identified using transsynaptic virus-based tracing strategies. RESULTS vHPC ghrelin signaling counteracted the food intake-reducing effects produced by various peripheral biological satiation signals, including cholecystokinin, exendin-4 (a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist), amylin, and mechanical distension of the stomach. Furthermore, vHPC ghrelin signaling produced interoceptive cues that generalized to a perceived state of energy deficit, thereby providing a potential mechanism for the attenuation of satiation processing. Neuroanatomical tracing identified a multiorder connection from vHPC neurons to lateral hypothalamic area orexin (hypocretin)-producing neurons that project to the laterodorsal tegmental nucleus in the hindbrain. Lastly, vHPC ghrelin signaling increased spontaneous meal size via downstream orexin receptor signaling in the laterodorsal tegmental nucleus. CONCLUSIONS vHPC ghrelin signaling increases meal size by counteracting the efficacy of various gut-derived satiation signals. These effects occur via downstream orexin signaling to the hindbrain laterodorsal tegmental nucleus, thereby highlighting a novel hippocampus-hypothalamus-hindbrain pathway regulating meal size control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea N. Suarez
- Human and Evolutionary Biology Section, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA.,Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Clarissa M. Liu
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Alyssa M. Cortella
- Human and Evolutionary Biology Section, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Emily E. Noble
- Human and Evolutionary Biology Section, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Scott E. Kanoski
- Human and Evolutionary Biology Section, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA.,Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA,Correspondence: Dr. Scott E. Kanoski, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, 3560 Watt Way, PED 107, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0652, USA, Tel: +1 213 821 5762, Fax: +1 213 740 6159.
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23
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Lee NJ, Qi Y, Enriquez RF, Ip CK, Herzog H. Lack of NPY in neurotensin neurons leads to a lean phenotype. Neuropeptides 2020; 80:101994. [PMID: 31740068 DOI: 10.1016/j.npep.2019.101994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2019] [Revised: 10/15/2019] [Accepted: 11/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Neuropeptide Y (NPY) producing neurons in the arcuate nucleus (Arc) of the hypothalamus are essential to the regulation of food intake and energy homeostasis. Whilst they have classically been thought to co-express agouti-related peptide (AgRP), it is now clear that there is a sub-population of NPY neurons in the Arc that do not. Here, we show that a subset of AgRP-negative, NPY-positive neurons in the Arc also express neurotensin (NTS) and we use an NTS-Cre line to investigate the function of this sub-population of NPY neurons. The lack of NPY in NTS-positive neurons led to a marked reduction in fat mass and bodyweight as well as a significant reduction in food intake in male NPYlox/lox; NTScre/+ mice compared to controls. Despite the reduction in food intake, overall energy expenditure was similar between genotypes due to concomitant reduction in activity in NPYlox/lox; NTScre/+ mice. Furthermore, cortical bone mass was significantly reduced in NPYlox/lox;NTScre/+ mice with no evident alterations in the cancellous bone compartment, likely due to reduced leptin levels as a result of their reduced adiposity. Taken together, these data suggest that the sub-population of Arc NPY neurons expressing NTS are critical for regulating food intake, activity and fat mass but are not directly involved in the control of bone mass.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola J Lee
- Neuroscience Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, St Vincent's Hospital, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia; St Vincent's Clinical School, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
| | - Yue Qi
- Neuroscience Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, St Vincent's Hospital, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Ronaldo F Enriquez
- Neuroscience Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, St Vincent's Hospital, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Chi Kin Ip
- Neuroscience Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, St Vincent's Hospital, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Herbert Herzog
- Neuroscience Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, St Vincent's Hospital, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia; St Vincent's Clinical School, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
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24
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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: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [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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25
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Li SB, de Lecea L. The hypocretin (orexin) system: from a neural circuitry perspective. Neuropharmacology 2020; 167:107993. [PMID: 32135427 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2020.107993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2019] [Revised: 01/23/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Hypocretin/orexin neurons are distributed restrictively in the hypothalamus, a brain region known to orchestrate diverse functions including sleep, reward processing, food intake, thermogenesis, and mood. Since the hypocretins/orexins were discovered more than two decades ago, extensive studies have accumulated concrete evidence showing the pivotal role of hypocretin/orexin in diverse neural modulation. New method of viral-mediated tracing system offers the possibility to map the monosynaptic inputs and detailed anatomical connectivity of Hcrt neurons. With the development of powerful research techniques including optogenetics, fiber-photometry, cell-type/pathway specific manipulation and neuronal activity monitoring, as well as single-cell RNA sequencing, the details of how hypocretinergic system execute functional modulation of various behaviors are coming to light. In this review, we focus on the function of neural pathways from hypocretin neurons to target brain regions. Anatomical and functional inputs to hypocretin neurons are also discussed. We further briefly summarize the development of pharmaceutical compounds targeting hypocretin signaling. This article is part of the special issue on Neuropeptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shi-Bin Li
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, 1201 Welch Road, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
| | - Luis de Lecea
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, 1201 Welch Road, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
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26
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Tumurbaatar T, Kanasaki H, Oride A, Hara T, Okada H, Tsutsui K, Kyo S. Action of neurotensin, corticotropin-releasing hormone, and RFamide-related peptide-3 in E2-induced negative feedback control: studies using a mouse arcuate nucleus hypothalamic cell model. Biol Reprod 2019; 99:1216-1226. [PMID: 29961889 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioy145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2018] [Accepted: 06/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The recently established immortalized hypothalamic cell model mHypoA-55 possesses characteristics similar to those of Kiss-1 neurons in the arcuate nucleus (ARC) region of the hypothalamus. Here, we show that Kiss-1 gene expression in these cells was downregulated by 17β-estradiol (E2) under certain conditions. Both neurotensin (NT) and corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) were expressed in these cells and upregulated by E2. Stimulation of mHypoA-55 cells with NT and CRH significantly decreased Kiss-1 mRNA expression. A mammalian gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone homolog, RFamide-related peptide-3 (RFRP-3), was also found to be expressed in mHypoA-55 cells, and RFRP-3 expression in these cells was increased by exogenous melatonin stimulation. E2 stimulation also upregulated RFRP-3 expression in these cells. Stimulation of mHypoA-55 cells with RFRP-3 significantly increased the expression of NT and CRH. Furthermore, melatonin stimulation resulted in the increase of both NT and CRH mRNA expression in mHypoA-55 cells. On the other hand, in experiments using mHypoA-50 cells, which were originally derived from hypothalamic neurons in the anteroventral periventricular nucleus, Kiss-1 gene expression was upregulated by both NT and CRH, although E2 increased both NT and CRH expression, similarly to the mHypoA-55 cells. Our observations using the hypothalamic ARC cell model mHypoA-55 suggest that NT and CRH have inhibitory effects on Kiss-1 gene expression under the influence of E2 in association with RFRP-3 expression. Thus, these neuropeptides might be involved in E2-induced negative feedback mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuvshintugs Tumurbaatar
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shimane University School of Medicine, Izumo, Japan
| | - Haruhiko Kanasaki
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shimane University School of Medicine, Izumo, Japan
| | - Aki Oride
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shimane University School of Medicine, Izumo, Japan
| | - Tomomi Hara
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shimane University School of Medicine, Izumo, Japan
| | - Hiroe Okada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shimane University School of Medicine, Izumo, Japan
| | - Kazuyoshi Tsutsui
- Laboratory of Integrative Brain Science, Department of Biology, Waseda University, and Center for Medical Life Science of Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Satoru Kyo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shimane University School of Medicine, Izumo, Japan
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27
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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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28
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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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29
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Schiffino FL, Siemian JN, Petrella M, Laing BT, Sarsfield S, Borja CB, Gajendiran A, Zuccoli ML, Aponte Y. Activation of a lateral hypothalamic-ventral tegmental circuit gates motivation. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0219522. [PMID: 31291348 PMCID: PMC6619795 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0219522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Across species, motivated states such as food-seeking and consumption are essential for survival. The lateral hypothalamus (LH) is known to play a fundamental role in regulating feeding and reward-related behaviors. However, the contributions of neuronal subpopulations in the LH have not been thoroughly identified. Here we examine how lateral hypothalamic leptin receptor-expressing (LHLEPR) neurons, a subset of GABAergic cells, regulate motivation in mice. We find that LHLEPR neuronal activation significantly increases progressive ratio (PR) performance, while inhibition decreases responding. Moreover, we mapped LHLEPR axonal projections and demonstrated that they target the ventral tegmental area (VTA), form functional inhibitory synapses with non-dopaminergic VTA neurons, and their activation promotes motivation for food. Finally, we find that LHLEPR neurons also regulate motivation to obtain water, suggesting that they may play a generalized role in motivation. Together, these results identify LHLEPR neurons as modulators within a hypothalamic-ventral tegmental circuit that gates motivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felipe L. Schiffino
- National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Justin N. Siemian
- National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Michele Petrella
- National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- Pharmacology Unit, School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Camerino (MC), Italy
| | - Brenton T. Laing
- National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Sarah Sarsfield
- National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Cara B. Borja
- National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Anjali Gajendiran
- National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Maria Laura Zuccoli
- National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Yeka Aponte
- National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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30
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de Vrind VA, Rozeboom A, Wolterink‐Donselaar IG, Luijendijk‐Berg MC, Adan RA. Effects of GABA and Leptin Receptor-Expressing Neurons in the Lateral Hypothalamus on Feeding, Locomotion, and Thermogenesis. Obesity (Silver Spring) 2019; 27:1123-1132. [PMID: 31087767 PMCID: PMC6617814 DOI: 10.1002/oby.22495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2018] [Accepted: 02/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The lateral hypothalamus (LH) is known for its role in feeding, and it also regulates other aspects of energy homeostasis. How genetically defined LH neuronal subpopulations mediate LH effects on energy homeostasis remains poorly understood. The behavioral effects of chemogenetically activating LH gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and the more selective population of LH GABA neurons that coexpress the leptin receptor (LepR) were compared. METHODS LepR-cre and VGAT-cre mice were injected with AAV5-hSyn-DIO-hM3DGq-mCherry in the LH. The behavioral effects of LH GABA or LH LepR neuronal activation on feeding, locomotion, thermogenesis, and body weight were assessed. RESULTS The activation of LH GABA neurons increased body temperature (P ≤ 0.008) and decreased body weight (P ≤ 0.01) despite decreased locomotor activity (P = 0.03) and transiently increased chow intake (P ≤ 0.009). Also, similar to other studies, this study found that activation of LH GABA neurons induced gnawing on both food and nonfood (P = 0.001) items. Activation of LH LepR neurons decreased body weight (P ≤ 0.01) and chow intake when presented on the cage floor (P ≤ 0.04) but not when presented in the cage top and increased locomotor activity (P = 0.002) and body temperature (P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS LH LepR neurons are a subset of LH GABA neurons, and LH LepR activation more specifically regulates energy homeostasis to promote a negative energy balance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Véronne A.J. de Vrind
- Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, Department of Translational NeuroscienceUniversity Medical Center Utrecht and University UtrechtUtrechtThe Netherlands
| | - Annemieke Rozeboom
- Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, Department of Translational NeuroscienceUniversity Medical Center Utrecht and University UtrechtUtrechtThe Netherlands
| | - Inge G. Wolterink‐Donselaar
- Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, Department of Translational NeuroscienceUniversity Medical Center Utrecht and University UtrechtUtrechtThe Netherlands
| | - Mieneke C.M. Luijendijk‐Berg
- Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, Department of Translational NeuroscienceUniversity Medical Center Utrecht and University UtrechtUtrechtThe Netherlands
| | - Roger A.H. Adan
- Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, Department of Translational NeuroscienceUniversity Medical Center Utrecht and University UtrechtUtrechtThe Netherlands
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
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31
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Naganuma F, Kroeger D, Bandaru SS, Absi G, Madara JC, Vetrivelan R. Lateral hypothalamic neurotensin neurons promote arousal and hyperthermia. PLoS Biol 2019; 17:e3000172. [PMID: 30893297 PMCID: PMC6426208 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3000172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2018] [Accepted: 02/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Sleep and wakefulness are greatly influenced by various physiological and psychological factors, but the neuronal elements responsible for organizing sleep-wake behavior in response to these factors are largely unknown. In this study, we report that a subset of neurons in the lateral hypothalamic area (LH) expressing the neuropeptide neurotensin (Nts) is critical for orchestrating sleep-wake responses to acute psychological and physiological challenges or stressors. We show that selective activation of NtsLH neurons with chemogenetic or optogenetic methods elicits rapid transitions from non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep to wakefulness and produces sustained arousal, higher locomotor activity (LMA), and hyperthermia, which are commonly observed after acute stress exposure. On the other hand, selective chemogenetic inhibition of NtsLH neurons attenuates the arousal, LMA, and body temperature (Tb) responses to a psychological stress (a novel environment) and augments the responses to a physiological stress (fasting). A neurotensin-producing subset of neurons in the lateral hypothalamus promote arousal and thermogenesis; these neurons are necessary for appropriate sleep-wake and body temperature responses to various stressors. Adjusting sleep-wake behavior in response to environmental and physiological challenges may not only be of protective value, but can also be vital for the survival of the organism. For example, while it is crucial to increase wake to explore a novel environment to search for potential threats and food sources, it is also necessary to decrease wake and reduce energy expenditure during prolonged absence of food. In this study, we report that a subset of neurons in the lateral hypothalamic area (LH) expressing the neuropeptide neurotensin (Nts) is critical for orchestrating sleep-wake responses to such challenges. We show that brief activation of NtsLH neurons in mice evokes immediate arousals from sleep, while their sustained activation increases wake, locomotor activity, and body temperature for several hours. In contrast, when NtsLH neurons are inhibited, mice are neither able to sustain wake in a novel environment nor able to reduce wake during food deprivation. These data suggest that NtsLH neurons may be necessary for generating appropriate sleep-wake responses to a wide variety of environmental and physiological challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fumito Naganuma
- Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Division of Sleep Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Division of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Daniel Kroeger
- Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Division of Sleep Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Sathyajit S. Bandaru
- Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Gianna Absi
- Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Joseph C. Madara
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Ramalingam Vetrivelan
- Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Division of Sleep Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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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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Roles of Gut-Derived Secretory Factors in the Pathogenesis of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Their Possible Clinical Applications. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19103064. [PMID: 30297626 PMCID: PMC6213237 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19103064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2018] [Revised: 10/01/2018] [Accepted: 10/06/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The rising prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) parallels the global increase in the number of people diagnosed with obesity and metabolic syndrome. The gut-liver axis (GLA) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of NAFLD/non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). In this review, we discuss the clinical significance and underlying mechanisms of action of gut-derived secretory factors in NAFLD/NASH, focusing on recent human studies. Several studies have identified potential causal associations between gut-derived secretory factors and NAFLD/NASH, as well as the underlying mechanisms. The effects of gut-derived hormone-associated drugs, such as glucagon-like peptide-1 analog and recombinant variant of fibroblast growth factor 19, and other new treatment strategies for NAFLD/NASH have also been reported. A growing body of evidence highlights the role of GLA in the pathogenesis of NAFLD/NASH. Larger and longitudinal studies as well as translational research are expected to provide additional insights into the role of gut-derived secretory factors in the pathogenesis of NAFLD/NASH, possibly providing novel markers and therapeutic targets in patients with NAFLD/NASH.
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Barchetta I, Ciccarelli G, Cimini FA, Ceccarelli V, Orho-Melander M, Melander O, Cavallo MG. Association between systemic leptin and neurotensin concentration in adult individuals with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus. J Endocrinol Invest 2018; 41:1159-1163. [PMID: 29417469 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-018-0845-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [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: 12/22/2017] [Accepted: 01/31/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Leptin is an adipokine which regulates appetite and energy balance through a mechanism partially mediated by neurotensin (NT) in central nervous system. Besides acting as a neurotransmitter, NT is expressed in human intestine where it promotes fat absorption and its circulating levels associate with obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cardiovascular disease. Whether a relation exists between circulating leptin and NT levels has not been investigated yet. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis of an association between plasma leptin and NT concentration in adults with or without T2DM. METHODS We recruited a population of 72 subjects (M/F: 39/33; age: 49.5 ± 10.6 years; BMI: 26.5 ± 4.7 kg/m2) including individuals with T2DM (n = 32) referring to our Diabetes Outpatient Clinics, Sapienza University of Rome, and healthy controls. Study participants underwent metabolic characterization; plasma leptin was measured by MILLIPLEX, Luminex, and proneurotensin (proNT), a stable precursor of NT, by chemiluminometric sandwich immunoassay. RESULTS Circulating median (25°-75°) leptin levels were 2.75 (1.27-4.93) ng/mL and did not differ between T2DM and non-diabetic subjects. Leptin concentration directly correlated with proNT (r = 0.41; p = 0.015); higher leptin levels were also associated with age, male gender, obesity, higher HOMA-IR, systolic blood pressure and C-reactive protein. Belonging to the highest pro-NT quartile correlated with greater leptin levels independent of age, gender and other confounders (r2 = 0.82, p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS Circulating leptin is associated with higher proNT levels independent of diabetes, obesity and metabolic syndrome components; besides its effects on central leptin signaling, NT may influence energy balance by modulating circulating leptin concentration likely through a mechanism involving gut fat absorption.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Barchetta
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Medical Pathophysiology, Food Science and Endocrinology, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - G Ciccarelli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Medical Pathophysiology, Food Science and Endocrinology, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - F A Cimini
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Medical Pathophysiology, Food Science and Endocrinology, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - V Ceccarelli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Medical Pathophysiology, Food Science and Endocrinology, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - M Orho-Melander
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Malmoe, Sweden
| | - O Melander
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Malmoe, Sweden
| | - M G Cavallo
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Medical Pathophysiology, Food Science and Endocrinology, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161, Rome, Italy.
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Kurt G, Woodworth HL, Fowler S, Bugescu R, Leinninger GM. Activation of lateral hypothalamic area neurotensin-expressing neurons promotes drinking. Neuropharmacology 2018; 154:13-21. [PMID: 30266601 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2018.09.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2018] [Revised: 09/04/2018] [Accepted: 09/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Animals must ingest water via drinking to maintain fluid homeostasis, yet the neurons that specifically promote drinking behavior are incompletely characterized. The lateral hypothalamic area (LHA) as a whole is essential for drinking behavior but most LHA neurons indiscriminately promote drinking and feeding. By contrast, activating neurotensin (Nts)-expressing LHA neurons (termed LHA Nts neurons) causes mice to immediately drink water with a delayed suppression of feeding. We therefore hypothesized that LHA Nts neurons are sufficient to induce drinking behavior and that these neurons specifically bias for fluid intake over food intake. To test this hypothesis we used designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs (DREADDs) to selectively activate LHA Nts neurons and studied the impact on fluid intake, fluid preference and feeding. Activation of LHA Nts neurons stimulated drinking in water-replete and dehydrated mice, indicating that these neurons are sufficient to promote water intake regardless of homeostatic need. Interestingly, mice with activated LHA Nts neurons drank any fluid that was provided regardless of its palatability, but if given a choice they preferred water or palatable solutions over unpalatable (quinine) or dehydrating (hypertonic saline) solutions. Notably, acute activation of LHA Nts neurons robustly promoted fluid but not food intake. Overall, our study confirms that activation of LHA Nts neurons is sufficient to induce drinking behavior and biases for fluid intake. Hence, LHA Nts neurons may be important targets for orchestrating the appropriate ingestive behavior necessary to maintain fluid homeostasis. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled 'Hypothalamic Control of Homeostasis'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gizem Kurt
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48114, USA
| | - Hillary L Woodworth
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48114, USA
| | - Sabrina Fowler
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48114, USA
| | - Raluca Bugescu
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48114, USA
| | - Gina M Leinninger
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48114, USA.
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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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Integrating Thyroid Hormone Signaling in Hypothalamic Control of Metabolism: Crosstalk Between Nuclear Receptors. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19072017. [PMID: 29997323 PMCID: PMC6073315 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19072017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2018] [Revised: 07/06/2018] [Accepted: 07/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The obesity epidemic is well recognized as a significant global health issue. A better understanding of the energy homeostasis mechanisms could help to identify promising anti-obesity therapeutic strategies. It is well established that the hypothalamus plays a pivotal role governing energy balance. The hypothalamus consists of tightly interconnected and specialized neurons that permit the sensing and integration of several peripheral inputs, including metabolic and hormonal signals for an appropriate physiological response. Current evidence shows that thyroid hormones (THs) constitute one of the key endocrine factors governing the regulation and the integration of metabolic homeostasis at the hypothalamic level. THs modulate numerous genes involved in the central control of metabolism, as TRH (Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone) and MC4R (Melanocortin 4 Receptor). THs act through their interaction with thyroid hormone receptors (TRs). Interestingly, TH signaling, especially regarding metabolic regulations, involves TRs crosstalk with other metabolically linked nuclear receptors (NRs) including PPAR (Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor) and LXR (Liver X receptor). In this review, we will summarize current knowledge on the important role of THs integration of metabolic pathways in the central regulation of metabolism. Particularly, we will shed light on the crosstalk between TRs and other NRs in controlling energy homeostasis. This could be an important track for the development of attractive therapeutic compounds.
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Reduced learning and memory performances in high-fat treated hamsters related to brain neurotensin receptor1 expression variations. Behav Brain Res 2018; 347:227-233. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2018.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2018] [Revised: 02/26/2018] [Accepted: 03/09/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Tsuneki H, Wada T, Sasaoka T. Chronopathophysiological implications of orexin in sleep disturbances and lifestyle-related disorders. Pharmacol Ther 2018; 186:25-44. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2017.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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40
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Barchetta I, Cimini FA, Leonetti F, Capoccia D, Di Cristofano C, Silecchia G, Orho-Melander M, Melander O, Cavallo MG. Increased Plasma Proneurotensin Levels Identify NAFLD in Adults With and Without Type 2 Diabetes. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2018; 103:2253-2260. [PMID: 29590379 DOI: 10.1210/jc.2017-02751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2017] [Accepted: 03/19/2018] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Neurotensin (NT), an intestinal peptide released by fat ingestion, promotes lipid absorption; higher circulating NT levels are associated with type 2 diabetes (T2D), obesity, and cardiovascular disease. Whether NT is related to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) has not been fully investigated. OBJECTIVE To study the relationship between plasma proneurotensin 1 to 117 (pro-NT), a stable fragment of the NT precursor hormone, and the presence/severity of NAFLD/NASH and to unravel correlates of increased pro-NT levels. DESIGN/SETTING/PARTICIPANTS For this cross-sectional study, 60 obese individuals undergoing bariatric surgery for clinical purposes were recruited. The association between pro-NT and NAFLD was further investigated in 260 consecutive subjects referred to our outpatient clinics for metabolic evaluations, including liver ultrasonography. The study population underwent complete metabolic characterization; in the obese cohort, liver biopsies were performed during surgery. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Plasma pro-NT levels in relation to NAFLD/NASH. RESULTS Obese subjects with biopsy-proven NAFLD (53%) had significantly higher plasma pro-NT than those without NAFLD (183.6 ± 81.4 vs 86.7 ± 56.8 pmol/L, P < 0.001). Greater pro-NT correlated with NAFLD presence (P < 0.001) and severity (P < 0.001), age, female sex, insulin resistance, and T2D. Higher pro-NT predicted NAFLD with an area under receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.836 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.73 to 0.94; P < 0.001]. Belonging to the highest pro-NT quartile correlated with increased NAFLD risk (odds ratio, 2.62; 95% CI, 1.08 to 6.40) after adjustment for confounders. The association between higher pro-NT and NAFLD was confirmed in the second cohort independently from confounders. CONCLUSIONS Increased plasma pro-NT levels identify the presence/severity of NAFLD; in dysmetabolic individuals, NT may specifically promote hepatic fat accumulation through mechanisms likely related to increased insulin resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Barchetta
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Flavia Agata Cimini
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Frida Leonetti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Danila Capoccia
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudio Di Cristofano
- Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Gianfranco Silecchia
- Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Olle Melander
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
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Neurotensin Is a Lipid-Induced Gastrointestinal Peptide Associated with Visceral Adipose Tissue Inflammation in Obesity. Nutrients 2018; 10:nu10040526. [PMID: 29690638 PMCID: PMC5946311 DOI: 10.3390/nu10040526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2018] [Revised: 04/16/2018] [Accepted: 04/20/2018] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurotensin (NT) is a 13-amino acid peptide localized in the neuroendocrine cells of the small intestine, which promotes fat absorption and fatty acids translocation in response to lipid ingestion. NT-knock-out mice fed with a high-fat diet are protected from obesity, fatty liver, and the development of insulin-resistance. In humans, higher plasma levels of pro-NT, which is the stable circulating precursor of NT, predict obesity, type 2 diabetes (T2D), and cardiovascular disease. In obesity, the presence of visceral adipose tissue (VAT) inflammation leads to unfavorable metabolic outcomes and is associated with the development of T2D and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). In this study, we investigated the relationship between plasma pro-NT levels and the presence of VAT inflammation in biopsies from 40 morbidly obese subjects undergoing bariatric surgery. We demonstrated that higher proNT levels are significantly associated with greater macrophages infiltration, HIF-1α, WISP-1, and UNC5B expression in VAT (all p < 0.01) due to the diagnosis of T2D and NAFLD. The overall results show that, in obesity, pro-NT is a biomarker of VAT inflammation and insulin-resistance. Additionally, NT may be involved in the development of dysmetabolic conditions likely mediated by increased gut fat absorption and the presence of a proinflammatory milieu in the adipose tissue.
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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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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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44
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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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