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Cai H, Schnapp WI, Mann S, Miscevic M, Shcmit MB, Conteras M, Fang C. Neural circuits regulation of satiation. Appetite 2024; 200:107512. [PMID: 38801994 PMCID: PMC11227400 DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2024.107512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Terminating a meal after achieving satiation is a critical step in maintaining a healthy energy balance. Despite the extensive collection of information over the last few decades regarding the neural mechanisms controlling overall eating, the mechanism underlying different temporal phases of eating behaviors, especially satiation, remains incompletely understood and is typically embedded in studies that measure the total amount of food intake. In this review, we summarize the neural circuits that detect and integrate satiation signals to suppress appetite, from interoceptive sensory inputs to the final motor outputs. Due to the well-established role of cholecystokinin (CCK) in regulating the satiation, we focus on the neural circuits that are involved in regulating the satiation effect caused by CCK. We also discuss several general principles of how these neural circuits control satiation, as well as the limitations of our current understanding of the circuits function. With the application of new techniques involving sophisticated cell-type-specific manipulation and mapping, as well as real-time recordings, it is now possible to gain a better understanding of the mechanisms specifically underlying satiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haijiang Cai
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA; Bio 5 Institute and Department of Neurology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA.
| | - Wesley I Schnapp
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA; Graduate Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - Shivani Mann
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - Masa Miscevic
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA; Graduate Interdisciplinary Program in Physiological Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - Matthew B Shcmit
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA; Graduate Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - Marco Conteras
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - Caohui Fang
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
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2
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Krolick KN, Cao J, Gulla EM, Bhardwaj M, Marshall SJ, Zhou EY, Kiss AJ, Choueiry F, Zhu J, Shi H. Subregion-specific transcriptomic profiling of rat brain reveals sex-distinct gene expression impacted by adolescent stress. Neuroscience 2024; 553:19-39. [PMID: 38977070 PMCID: PMC11444371 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2024.07.002] [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: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Abstract
Stress during adolescence clearly impacts brain development and function. Sex differences in adolescent stress-induced or exacerbated emotional and metabolic vulnerabilities could be due to sex-distinct gene expression in hypothalamic, limbic, and prefrontal brain regions. However, adolescent stress-induced whole-genome expression changes in key subregions of these brain regions were unclear. In this study, female and male adolescent Sprague Dawley rats received one-hour restraint stress daily from postnatal day (PD) 32 to PD44. Corticosterone levels, body weights, food intake, body composition, and circulating adiposity and sex hormones were measured. On PD44, brain and blood samples were collected. Using RNA-sequencing, sex-specific differences in stress-induced differentially expressed (DE) genes were identified in subregions of the hypothalamus, limbic system, and prefrontal cortex. Canonical pathways reflected well-known sex-distinct maladies and diseases, substantiating the therapeutic potential of the DE genes found in the current study. Thus, we proposed specific sex distinct, adolescent stress-induced transcriptional changes found in the current study as examples of the molecular bases for sex differences witnessed in stress induced or exacerbated emotional and metabolic disorders. Future behavioral studies and single-cell studies are warranted to test the implications of the DE genes identified in this study in sex-distinct stress-induced susceptibilities.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jingyi Cao
- Department of Biology, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056, USA.
| | - Evelyn M Gulla
- Department of Biology, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056, USA.
| | - Meeta Bhardwaj
- Department of Biology, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056, USA.
| | | | - Ethan Y Zhou
- Department of Biology, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056, USA.
| | - Andor J Kiss
- Center for Bioinformatics & Functional Genomics, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056, USA.
| | - Fouad Choueiry
- Department of Human Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
| | - Jiangjiang Zhu
- Department of Human Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; James Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
| | - Haifei Shi
- Department of Biology, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056, USA.
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3
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Li Y, Kim M, Jiang L, Baron L, Faulkner LD, Olson DP, Li X, Gannot N, Li P, Rui L. SH2B1 Defends Against Energy Imbalance, Obesity, and Metabolic Disease via a Paraventricular Hypothalamus→Dorsal Raphe Nucleus Neurocircuit. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2400437. [PMID: 38885417 PMCID: PMC11336965 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202400437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Revised: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
SH2B1 mutations are associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) in humans. Global deletion of Sh2b1 results in severe obesity, type 2 diabetes, and MASLD in mice. Neuron-specific restoration of SH2B1 rescues the obesity phenotype of Sh2b1-null mice, indicating that the brain is a main SH2B1 target. However, SH2B1 neurocircuits remain elusive. SH2B1-expressing neurons in the paraventricular hypothalamus (PVHSH2B1) and a PVHSH2B1→dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) neurocircuit are identified here. PVHSH2B1 axons monosynaptically innervate DRN neurons. Optogenetic stimulation of PVHSH2B1 axonal fibers in the DRN suppresses food intake. Chronic inhibition of PVHSH2B1 neurons causes obesity. In male and female mice, either embryonic-onset or adult-onset deletion of Sh2b1 in PVH neurons causes energy imbalance, obesity, insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, and MASLD. Ablation of Sh2b1 in the DRN-projecting PVHSH2B1 subpopulation also causes energy imbalance, obesity, and metabolic disorders. Conversely, SH2B1 overexpression in either total or DRN-projecting PVHSH2B1 neurons protects against diet-induced obesity. SH2B1 binds to TrkB and enhances brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signaling. Ablation of Sh2b1 in PVHSH2B1 neurons induces BDNF resistance in the PVH, contributing to obesity. In conclusion, these results unveil a previously unrecognized PVHSH2B1→DRN neurocircuit through which SH2B1 defends against obesity by enhancing BDNF/TrkB signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Li
- Department of Molecular & Integrative PhysiologyUniversity of Michigan Medical SchoolAnn ArborMI48109USA
| | - Min‐Hyun Kim
- Department of Molecular & Integrative PhysiologyUniversity of Michigan Medical SchoolAnn ArborMI48109USA
- College of Health SolutionsArizona State UniversityPhoenixAZ85004USA
| | - Lin Jiang
- Department of Molecular & Integrative PhysiologyUniversity of Michigan Medical SchoolAnn ArborMI48109USA
| | - Lorelei Baron
- Department of Molecular & Integrative PhysiologyUniversity of Michigan Medical SchoolAnn ArborMI48109USA
| | - Latrice D. Faulkner
- Department of PediatricsUniversity of Michigan Medical SchoolAnn ArborMI48109USA
| | - David P. Olson
- Department of Molecular & Integrative PhysiologyUniversity of Michigan Medical SchoolAnn ArborMI48109USA
- Department of PediatricsUniversity of Michigan Medical SchoolAnn ArborMI48109USA
- Elizabeth Weiser Caswell Diabetes InstituteUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMI48109USA
| | - Xingyu Li
- Life Sciences InstituteUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMI48109USA
| | - Noam Gannot
- Life Sciences InstituteUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMI48109USA
- Department of Biologic and Materials SciencesSchool of DentistryUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMI48109USA
| | - Peng Li
- Department of Molecular & Integrative PhysiologyUniversity of Michigan Medical SchoolAnn ArborMI48109USA
- Life Sciences InstituteUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMI48109USA
- Department of Biologic and Materials SciencesSchool of DentistryUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMI48109USA
| | - Liangyou Rui
- Department of Molecular & Integrative PhysiologyUniversity of Michigan Medical SchoolAnn ArborMI48109USA
- Elizabeth Weiser Caswell Diabetes InstituteUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMI48109USA
- Division of Gastroenterology and HepatologyDepartment of Internal MedicineUniversity of Michigan Medical SchoolAnn ArborMI48109USA
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4
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Cornejo MP, Fernandez G, Cabral A, Barrile F, Heredia F, García Romero G, Zubimendi Sampieri JP, Quelas JI, Cantel S, Fehrentz JA, Alonso A, Pla R, Ferran JL, Andreoli MF, De Francesco PN, Perelló M. GHSR in a Subset of GABA Neurons Controls Food Deprivation-Induced Hyperphagia in Male Mice. Endocrinology 2024; 165:bqae061. [PMID: 38815068 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqae061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2024] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
The growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR), primarily known as the receptor for the hunger hormone ghrelin, potently controls food intake, yet the specific Ghsr-expressing cells mediating the orexigenic effects of this receptor remain incompletely characterized. Since Ghsr is expressed in gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-producing neurons, we sought to investigate whether the selective expression of Ghsr in a subset of GABA neurons is sufficient to mediate GHSR's effects on feeding. First, we crossed mice that express a tamoxifen-dependent Cre recombinase in the subset of GABA neurons that express glutamic acid decarboxylase 2 (Gad2) enzyme (Gad2-CreER mice) with reporter mice, and found that ghrelin mainly targets a subset of Gad2-expressing neurons located in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (ARH) and that is predominantly segregated from Agouti-related protein (AgRP)-expressing neurons. Analysis of various single-cell RNA-sequencing datasets further corroborated that the primary subset of cells coexpressing Gad2 and Ghsr in the mouse brain are non-AgRP ARH neurons. Next, we crossed Gad2-CreER mice with reactivable GHSR-deficient mice to generate mice expressing Ghsr only in Gad2-expressing neurons (Gad2-GHSR mice). We found that ghrelin treatment induced the expression of the marker of transcriptional activation c-Fos in the ARH of Gad2-GHSR mice, yet failed to induce food intake. In contrast, food deprivation-induced refeeding was higher in Gad2-GHSR mice than in GHSR-deficient mice and similar to wild-type mice, suggesting that ghrelin-independent roles of GHSR in a subset of GABA neurons is sufficient for eliciting full compensatory hyperphagia in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Paula Cornejo
- Grupo de Neurofisiología, Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Celular (IMBICE), Universidad Nacional la Plata (UNLP), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) y Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (CIC-PBA), La Plata 1900, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Gimena Fernandez
- Grupo de Neurofisiología, Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Celular (IMBICE), Universidad Nacional la Plata (UNLP), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) y Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (CIC-PBA), La Plata 1900, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Agustina Cabral
- Grupo de Neurofisiología, Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Celular (IMBICE), Universidad Nacional la Plata (UNLP), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) y Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (CIC-PBA), La Plata 1900, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Franco Barrile
- Grupo de Neurofisiología, Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Celular (IMBICE), Universidad Nacional la Plata (UNLP), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) y Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (CIC-PBA), La Plata 1900, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Florencia Heredia
- Grupo de Neurofisiología, Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Celular (IMBICE), Universidad Nacional la Plata (UNLP), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) y Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (CIC-PBA), La Plata 1900, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Guadalupe García Romero
- Grupo de Neurofisiología, Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Celular (IMBICE), Universidad Nacional la Plata (UNLP), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) y Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (CIC-PBA), La Plata 1900, 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
| | - Antonia Alonso
- Department of Human Anatomy and Psychobiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia 30100, Spain
- Institute of Biomedical Research of Murcia-IMIB, Virgen de la Arrixaca University Hospital, Murcia 30100, Spain
| | - Ramon Pla
- Department of Human Anatomy and Psychobiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia 30100, Spain
- Institute of Biomedical Research of Murcia-IMIB, Virgen de la Arrixaca University Hospital, Murcia 30100, Spain
| | - José Luis Ferran
- Department of Human Anatomy and Psychobiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia 30100, Spain
- Institute of Biomedical Research of Murcia-IMIB, Virgen de la Arrixaca University Hospital, Murcia 30100, Spain
| | - María Florencia Andreoli
- Instituto de Desarrollo e Investigaciones Pediátricas (IDIP), HIAEP Sor María Ludovica de La Plata, Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (CIC-PBA), La Plata 1900, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Functional Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Uppsala 751 24, Sweden
| | - Pablo Nicolas De Francesco
- Grupo de Neurofisiología, Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Celular (IMBICE), Universidad Nacional la Plata (UNLP), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) y Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (CIC-PBA), La Plata 1900, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Mario Perelló
- Grupo de Neurofisiología, Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Celular (IMBICE), Universidad Nacional la Plata (UNLP), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) y Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (CIC-PBA), La Plata 1900, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Functional Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Uppsala 751 24, Sweden
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5
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Vargas Y, Castro Tron AE, Rodríguez Rodríguez A, Uribe RM, Joseph-Bravo P, Charli JL. Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone and Food Intake in Mammals: An Update. Metabolites 2024; 14:302. [PMID: 38921437 PMCID: PMC11205479 DOI: 10.3390/metabo14060302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2024] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH; pGlu-His-Pro-NH2) is an intercellular signal produced mainly by neurons. Among the multiple pharmacological effects of TRH, that on food intake is not well understood. We review studies demonstrating that peripheral injection of TRH generally produces a transient anorexic effect, discuss the pathways that might initiate this effect, and explain its short half-life. In addition, central administration of TRH can produce anorexic or orexigenic effects, depending on the site of injection, that are likely due to interaction with TRH receptor 1. Anorexic effects are most notable when TRH is injected into the hypothalamus and the nucleus accumbens, while the orexigenic effect has only been detected by injection into the brain stem. Functional evidence points to TRH neurons that are prime candidate vectors for TRH action on food intake. These include the caudal raphe nuclei projecting to the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus, and possibly TRH neurons from the tuberal lateral hypothalamus projecting to the tuberomammillary nuclei. For other TRH neurons, the anatomical or physiological context and impact of TRH in each synaptic domain are still poorly understood. The manipulation of TRH expression in well-defined neuron types will facilitate the discovery of its role in food intake control in each anatomical scene.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Jean-Louis Charli
- Departamento de Genética del Desarrollo y Fisiología Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Avenida Universidad 2001, Cuernavaca 62210, Mexico; (Y.V.); (A.E.C.T.); (A.R.R.); (R.M.U.); (P.J.-B.)
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6
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Jeong B, Kim JS, Kwon AR, Lee J, Park S, Koo J, Lee WS, Baek JY, Shin WH, Lee JS, Jeong J, Kim WK, Jung CR, Kim NS, Cho SH, Lee DY. Maternal nanoplastic ingestion induces an increase in offspring body weight through altered lipid species and microbiota. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2024; 185:108522. [PMID: 38401434 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2024.108522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 01/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024]
Abstract
The rapidly increasing prevalence of obesity and overweight, especially in children and adolescents, has become a serious societal issue. Although various genetic and environmental risk factors for pediatric obesity and overweight have been identified, the problem has not been solved. In this study, we examined whether environmental nanoplastic (NP) pollutants can act as environmental obesogens using mouse models exposed to NPs derived from polystyrene and polypropylene, which are abundant in the environment. We found abnormal weight gain in the progeny until 6 weeks of age following the oral administration of NPs to the mother during gestation and lactation. Through a series of experiments involving multi-omic analyses, we have demonstrated that NP-induced weight gain is caused by alterations in the lipid composition (lysophosphatidylcholine/phosphatidylcholine ratio) of maternal breast milk and he gut microbiota distribution of the progeny. These data indicate that environmental NPs can act as obesogens in childhood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bohyeon Jeong
- Rare Disease Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), 125 Gwahak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, South Korea
| | - Ji-Sun Kim
- Korean Collection for Type Cultures, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Jeongeup, 56212, South Korea
| | - A Ra Kwon
- Chemical Analysis Center, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), Daejeon 34114, South Korea
| | - Jangjae Lee
- Chemical Analysis Center, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), Daejeon 34114, South Korea; Department of Chemistry, Korea University, Seoul 02841, South Korea
| | - Subin Park
- Rare Disease Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), 125 Gwahak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, South Korea
| | - Jahong Koo
- Rare Disease Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), 125 Gwahak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, South Korea; KRIBB School, Korea University of Science and Technology (UST), Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Wang Sik Lee
- Environmental Disease Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), 125 Gwahak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, South Korea
| | - Jeong Yeob Baek
- Rare Disease Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), 125 Gwahak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, South Korea
| | - Won-Ho Shin
- Department of Predictive Toxicology, Korea Institute of Toxicology, Daejeon 34114, South Korea
| | - Jung-Sook Lee
- Korean Collection for Type Cultures, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Jeongeup, 56212, South Korea; KRIBB School, Korea University of Science and Technology (UST), Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Jinyoung Jeong
- KRIBB School, Korea University of Science and Technology (UST), Daejeon, South Korea; Environmental Disease Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), 125 Gwahak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, South Korea
| | - Won Kon Kim
- KRIBB School, Korea University of Science and Technology (UST), Daejeon, South Korea; Metabolic Regulation Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), 125 Gwahak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, South Korea
| | - Cho-Rok Jung
- KRIBB School, Korea University of Science and Technology (UST), Daejeon, South Korea; Stem Cell Convergence Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), 125 Gwahak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, South Korea
| | - Nam-Soon Kim
- Rare Disease Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), 125 Gwahak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, South Korea; KRIBB School, Korea University of Science and Technology (UST), Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Sung-Hee Cho
- Chemical Analysis Center, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), Daejeon 34114, South Korea.
| | - Da Yong Lee
- Rare Disease Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), 125 Gwahak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, South Korea; KRIBB School, Korea University of Science and Technology (UST), Daejeon, South Korea.
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7
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Santiago-Marrero I, Liu F, Wang H, Arzola EP, Xiong WC, Mei L. Energy Expenditure Homeostasis Requires ErbB4, an Obesity Risk Gene, in the Paraventricular Nucleus. eNeuro 2023; 10:ENEURO.0139-23.2023. [PMID: 37669858 PMCID: PMC10521346 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0139-23.2023] [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: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Obesity affects more than a third adult population in the United States; the prevalence is even higher in patients with major depression disorders. GWAS studies identify the receptor tyrosine kinase ErbB4 as a risk gene for obesity and for major depression disorders. We found that ErbB4 was enriched in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVH). To investigate its role in metabolism, we deleted ErbB4 by injecting a Cre-expressing virus into the PVH of ErbB4-floxed male mice and found that PVH ErbB4 deletion increased weight gain without altering food intake. ErbB4 PVH deletion also reduced nighttime activity and decreased intrascapular brown adipose tissue (iBAT) thermogenesis. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) revealed that ErbB4 PVH deletion reduced O2 consumption, CO2 production and heat generation in a manner independent of body weight. Immunostaining experiments show that ErbB4+ neurons in the PVH were positive for oxytocin (OXT); ErbB4 PVH deletion reduces serum levels of OXT. We characterized mice where ErbB4 was specifically mutated in OXT+ neurons and found reduction in energy expenditure, phenotypes similar to PVH ErbB4 deletion. Taken together, our data indicate that ErbB4 in the PVH regulates metabolism likely through regulation of OXT expressing neurons, reveal a novel function of ErbB4 and provide insight into pathophysiological mechanisms of depression-associated obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Santiago-Marrero
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106
| | - Fang Liu
- Department of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912
| | - Hongsheng Wang
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106
| | - Emily P Arzola
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106
| | - Wen-Cheng Xiong
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106
- Louis Stokes Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cleveland, OH 44106
| | - Lin Mei
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106
- Louis Stokes Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cleveland, OH 44106
- Department of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912
- Chinese Institutes for Medical Research, Beijing 100005, China
- Capital Medical University, Beijing 100054, China
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8
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Cai J, Chen J, Ortiz-Guzman J, Huang J, Arenkiel BR, Wang Y, Zhang Y, Shi Y, Tong Q, Zhan C. AgRP neurons are not indispensable for body weight maintenance in adult mice. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112789. [PMID: 37422762 PMCID: PMC10909125 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
In addition to their role in promoting feeding and obesity development, hypothalamic arcuate agouti-related protein/neuropeptide Y (AgRP/NPY) neurons are widely perceived to be indispensable for maintaining normal feeding and body weight in adults, and consistently, acute inhibition of AgRP neurons is known to reduce short-term food intake. Here, we adopted complementary methods to achieve nearly complete ablation of arcuate AgRP/NPY neurons in adult mice and report that lesioning arcuate AgRP/NPY neurons in adult mice causes no apparent alterations in ad libitum feeding or body weight. Consistent with previous studies, loss of AgRP/NPY neurons blunts fasting refeeding. Thus, our studies show that AgRP/NPY neurons are not required for maintaining ad libitum feeding or body weight homeostasis in adult mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Cai
- Brown Institute of Molecular Medicine at McGovern Medical School and Neuroscience Program of MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jing Chen
- School of Sport Science, Beijing Sport University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Joshua Ortiz-Guzman
- Duncan Institute of Neurological Research and Department of Neuroscience and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jessica Huang
- Brown Institute of Molecular Medicine at McGovern Medical School and Neuroscience Program of MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Benjamin R Arenkiel
- Duncan Institute of Neurological Research and Department of Neuroscience and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Yuchen Wang
- Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Center for Advanced Interdisciplinary Science and Biomedicine of IHM, Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Yuyan Shi
- Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Center for Advanced Interdisciplinary Science and Biomedicine of IHM, Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Qingchun Tong
- Brown Institute of Molecular Medicine at McGovern Medical School and Neuroscience Program of MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | - Cheng Zhan
- Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Center for Advanced Interdisciplinary Science and Biomedicine of IHM, Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China.
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9
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Semple EA, Harberson MT, Xu B, Rashleigh R, Cartwright TL, Braun JJ, Custer AC, Liu C, Hill JW. Melanocortin 4 receptor signaling in Sim1 neurons permits sexual receptivity in female mice. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:983670. [PMID: 37033219 PMCID: PMC10080118 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.983670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Female sexual dysfunction affects approximately 40% of women in the United States, yet few therapeutic options exist for these patients. The melanocortin system is a new treatment target for hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD), but the neuronal pathways involved are unclear. Methods In this study, the sexual behavior of female MC4R knockout mice lacking melanocortin 4 receptors (MC4Rs) was examined. The mice were then bred to express MC4Rs exclusively on Sim1 neurons (tbMC4RSim1 mice) or on oxytocin neurons (tbMC4ROxt mice) to examine the effect on sexual responsiveness. Results MC4R knockout mice were found to approach males less and have reduced receptivity to copulation, as indicated by a low lordosis quotient. These changes were independent of body weight. Lordosis behavior was normalized in tbMC4RSim1 mice and improved in tbMC4ROxt mice. In contrast, approach behavior was unchanged in tbMC4RSim1 mice but greatly increased in tbMC4ROxt animals. The changes were independent of melanocortin-driven metabolic effects. Discussion These results implicate MC4R signaling in Oxt neurons in appetitive behaviors and MC4R signaling in Sim1 neurons in female sexual receptivity, while suggesting melanocortin-driven sexual function does not rely on metabolic neural circuits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin A. Semple
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Toledo College of Medicine, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Mitchell T. Harberson
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Toledo College of Medicine, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Baijie Xu
- Center for Hypothalamic Research, University of Texas Southwestern, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Rebecca Rashleigh
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Toledo College of Medicine, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Tori L. Cartwright
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Toledo College of Medicine, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Jessica J. Braun
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Toledo College of Medicine, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Amy C. Custer
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Toledo College of Medicine, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Chen Liu
- Center for Hypothalamic Research, University of Texas Southwestern, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Jennifer W. Hill
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Toledo College of Medicine, Toledo, OH, United States
- Center for Diabetes and Endocrine Research, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
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10
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Pawlak P, Burren A, Seitz A, Pietsch C. Effects of different acute stressors on the regulation of appetite genes in the carp ( Cyprinus carpio L.) brain. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2023; 10:230040. [PMID: 36816841 PMCID: PMC9929511 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.230040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Our understanding of the timing of stress responses and specific roles of different regulatory pathways that drive stress responses is incomplete. In particular, the regulation of appetite genes as a consequence of exposure to different stressors has not been studied in sufficient detail in fish. Therefore, a stress trial was conducted with koi carp, aiming at identifying typical effects of stress on regulation of appetite genes. The stressors tank manipulation, air exposure and feed rewarding were chosen. The responses to these stressors were evaluated 10, 30 and 60 min after the stressors were applied. Orexigenic and anorexigenic genes were investigated in four different brain regions (telencephalon, hypothalamus, optic tectum and rhombencephalon). The results show that, apart from the typical appetite regulation in the hypothalamus, the different brain regions also display pronounced responses of appetite genes to the different stressors. In addition, several genes in the serotonergic, dopaminergic and gaba-related pathways were investigated. These genes revealed that rearing in pairs of two and opening of the tank lid affected anorexigenic genes, such as cart and cck, which were not changed by air exposure or feed rewarding. Moreover, distress and eustress led to limited, but distinguishable gene expression pattern changes in the investigated brain regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulina Pawlak
- Agronomy, Bern University of Applied Sciences, Zollikofen, Bern CH-2052, Switzerland
- Division of Behavioural Ecology, Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Bern, Wohlenstrasse 50a, CH-3032, Hinterkappelen, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Alexander Burren
- Agronomy, Bern University of Applied Sciences, Zollikofen, Bern CH-2052, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Seitz
- Institute of Natural Resource Sciences, Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Wädenswil, Zürich CH-8820, Switzerland
| | - Constanze Pietsch
- Agronomy, Bern University of Applied Sciences, Zollikofen, Bern CH-2052, Switzerland
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11
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Zayan U, Caccialupi Da Prato L, Muscatelli F, Matarazzo V. Modulation of the thermosensory system by oxytocin. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 15:1075305. [PMID: 36698777 PMCID: PMC9868264 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.1075305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Oxytocin (OT) is a neurohormone involved early in neurodevelopment and is implicated in multiple functions, including sensory modulation. Evidence of such modulation has been observed for different sensory modalities in both healthy and pathological conditions. This review summarizes the pleiotropic modulation that OT can exercise on an often overlooked sensory system: thermosensation. This system allows us to sense temperature variations and compensate for the variation to maintain a stable core body temperature. Oxytocin modulates autonomic and behavioral mechanisms underlying thermoregulation at both central and peripheral levels. Hyposensitivity or hypersensitivity for different sensory modalities, including thermosensitivity, is a common feature in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), recapitulated in several ASD mouse models. These sensory dysregulations occur early in post-natal development and are correlated with dysregulation of the oxytocinergic system. In this study, we discussed the potential link between thermosensory atypia and the dysregulation of the oxytocinergic system in ASD.
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12
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LaPierre MP, Lawler K, Godbersen S, Farooqi IS, Stoffel M. MicroRNA-7 regulates melanocortin circuits involved in mammalian energy homeostasis. Nat Commun 2022; 13:5733. [PMID: 36175420 PMCID: PMC9522793 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33367-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) modulate physiological responses by repressing the expression of gene networks. We found that global deletion of microRNA-7 (miR-7), the most enriched miRNA in the hypothalamus, causes obesity in mice. Targeted deletion of miR-7 in Single-minded homolog 1 (Sim1) neurons, a critical component of the hypothalamic melanocortin pathway, causes hyperphagia, obesity and increased linear growth, mirroring Sim1 and Melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) haplo-insufficiency in mice and humans. We identified Snca (α-Synuclein) and Igsf8 (Immunoglobulin Superfamily Member 8) as miR-7 target genes that act in Sim1 neurons to regulate body weight and endocrine axes. In humans, MIR-7-1 is located in the last intron of HNRNPK, whose promoter drives the expression of both genes. Genetic variants at the HNRNPK locus that reduce its expression are associated with increased height and truncal fat mass. These findings demonstrate that miR-7 suppresses gene networks involved in the hypothalamic melanocortin pathway to regulate mammalian energy homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary P LaPierre
- Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, ETH Zürich, 8093, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Katherine Lawler
- University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories and NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Wellcome Trust-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Svenja Godbersen
- Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, ETH Zürich, 8093, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - I Sadaf Farooqi
- University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories and NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Wellcome Trust-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Markus Stoffel
- Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, ETH Zürich, 8093, Zürich, Switzerland.
- Medical Faculty, University of Zürich, 8091, Zürich, Switzerland.
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13
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Wang X, Li H. Chronic high-fat diet induces overeating and impairs synaptic transmission in feeding-related brain regions. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:1019446. [PMID: 36226318 PMCID: PMC9549200 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.1019446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Obesity is linked to overeating, which can exacerbate unhealthy weight gain. However, the mechanisms for mediating such linkages are elusive. In the current study, we hypothesized that synaptic remodeling occurs in feeding-related brain regions of obese mice. To investigate this, we established a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mouse model and observed that these mice consumed excessive calories. The effect of chronic HFD feeding on lipid droplet accumulation in different brain structures was also investigated. We found that lipid droplets accumulated on the ependyma of the third ventricle (3V), which is surrounded by key areas of the hypothalamus that are involved in feeding. Then, the spontaneous synaptic activity of miniature excitatory postsynaptic current (mEPSC) and miniature inhibitory postsynaptic current (mIPSC) was recorded in these hypothalamic areas. HFD induced a decreased amplitude of mEPSC in the arcuate nucleus (ARC) and the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH), meanwhile, increased the frequency in the VMH. In addition, HFD reduced the frequency of mIPSC in the lateral hypothalamus (LH) and increased the amplitude of mIPSC in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVH). Subsequently, we also measured the synaptic activity of nucleus accumbens (NAc) neurons, which play a vital role in the hedonic aspect of eating, and discovered that HFD diminished the frequency of both mEPSC and mIPSC in the NAc. These findings suggest that chronic HFD feeding leads to lipid accumulation and synaptic dysfunction in specific brain regions, which are associated with energy homeostasis and reward regulation, and these impairments may lead to the overeating of obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Wang
- Britton Chance Center for Biomedical Photonics, Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Ministry of Education (MoE) Key Laboratory for Biomedical Photonics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering Sciences, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- *Correspondence: Xu Wang,
| | - Haohong Li
- Affiliated Mental Health Centre and Hangzhou Seventh People’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- The Ministry of Education (MoE) Frontier Research Center of Brain and Brain-machine Integration, Zhejiang University School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Haohong Li,
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14
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Alcantara IC, Tapia APM, Aponte Y, Krashes MJ. Acts of appetite: neural circuits governing the appetitive, consummatory, and terminating phases of feeding. Nat Metab 2022; 4:836-847. [PMID: 35879462 PMCID: PMC10852214 DOI: 10.1038/s42255-022-00611-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The overconsumption of highly caloric and palatable foods has caused a surge in obesity rates in the past half century, thereby posing a healthcare challenge due to the array of comorbidities linked to heightened body fat accrual. Developing treatments to manage body weight requires a grasp of the neurobiological basis of appetite. In this Review, we discuss advances in neuroscience that have identified brain regions and neural circuits that coordinate distinct phases of eating: food procurement, food consumption, and meal termination. While pioneering work identified several hypothalamic nuclei to be involved in feeding, more recent studies have explored how neuronal populations beyond the hypothalamus, such as the mesolimbic pathway and nodes in the hindbrain, interconnect to modulate appetite. We also examine how long-term exposure to a calorically dense diet rewires feeding circuits and alters the response of motivational systems to food. Understanding how the nervous system regulates eating behaviour will bolster the development of medical strategies that will help individuals to maintain a healthy body weight.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan C Alcantara
- Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Obesity Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | | | - Yeka Aponte
- National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Michael J Krashes
- Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Obesity Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
- National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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15
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Wee CL, Song E, Nikitchenko M, Herrera KJ, Wong S, Engert F, Kunes S. Social isolation modulates appetite and avoidance behavior via a common oxytocinergic circuit in larval zebrafish. Nat Commun 2022; 13:2573. [PMID: 35545618 PMCID: PMC9095721 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-29765-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal brains have evolved to encode social stimuli and transform these representations into advantageous behavioral responses. The commonalities and differences of these representations across species are not well-understood. Here, we show that social isolation activates an oxytocinergic (OXT), nociceptive circuit in the larval zebrafish hypothalamus and that chemical cues released from conspecific animals are potent modulators of this circuit's activity. We delineate an olfactory to subpallial pathway that transmits chemical social cues to OXT circuitry, where they are transformed into diverse outputs simultaneously regulating avoidance and feeding behaviors. Our data allow us to propose a model through which social stimuli are integrated within a fundamental neural circuit to mediate diverse adaptive behaviours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline L Wee
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Program in Neuroscience, Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A*STAR, Singapore
| | - Erin Song
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Maxim Nikitchenko
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Kristian J Herrera
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sandy Wong
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Florian Engert
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
| | - Samuel Kunes
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
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16
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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: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.5] [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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17
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Cornman RS, Cryan PM. Positively selected genes in the hoary bat ( Lasiurus cinereus) lineage: prominence of thymus expression, immune and metabolic function, and regions of ancient synteny. PeerJ 2022; 10:e13130. [PMID: 35317076 PMCID: PMC8934532 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.13130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Bats of the genus Lasiurus occur throughout the Americas and have diversified into at least 20 species among three subgenera. The hoary bat (Lasiurus cinereus) is highly migratory and ranges farther across North America than any other wild mammal. Despite the ecological importance of this species as a major insect predator, and the particular susceptibility of lasiurine bats to wind turbine strikes, our understanding of hoary bat ecology, physiology, and behavior remains poor. Methods To better understand adaptive evolution in this lineage, we used whole-genome sequencing to identify protein-coding sequence and explore signatures of positive selection. Gene models were predicted with Maker and compared to seven well-annotated and phylogenetically representative species. Evolutionary rate analysis was performed with PAML. Results Of 9,447 single-copy orthologous groups that met evaluation criteria, 150 genes had a significant excess of nonsynonymous substitutions along the L. cinereus branch (P < 0.001 after manual review of alignments). Selected genes as a group had biased expression, most strongly in thymus tissue. We identified 23 selected genes with reported immune functions as well as a divergent paralog of Steep1 within suborder Yangochiroptera. Seventeen genes had roles in lipid and glucose metabolic pathways, partially overlapping with 15 mitochondrion-associated genes; these adaptations may reflect the metabolic challenges of hibernation, long-distance migration, and seasonal variation in prey abundance. The genomic distribution of positively selected genes differed significantly from background expectation by discrete Kolmogorov-Smirnov test (P < 0.001). Remarkably, the top three physical clusters all coincided with islands of conserved synteny predating Mammalia, the largest of which shares synteny with the human cat-eye critical region (CECR) on 22q11. This observation coupled with the expansion of a novel Tbx1-like gene family may indicate evolutionary innovation during pharyngeal arch development: both the CECR and Tbx1 cause dosage-dependent congenital abnormalities in thymus, heart, and head, and craniodysmorphy is associated with human orthologs of other positively selected genes as well.
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18
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Neural circuit control of innate behaviors. SCIENCE CHINA. LIFE SCIENCES 2022; 65:466-499. [PMID: 34985643 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-021-2043-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
All animals possess a plethora of innate behaviors that do not require extensive learning and are fundamental for their survival and propagation. With the advent of newly-developed techniques such as viral tracing and optogenetic and chemogenetic tools, recent studies are gradually unraveling neural circuits underlying different innate behaviors. Here, we summarize current development in our understanding of the neural circuits controlling predation, feeding, male-typical mating, and urination, highlighting the role of genetically defined neurons and their connections in sensory triggering, sensory to motor/motivation transformation, motor/motivation encoding during these different behaviors. Along the way, we discuss possible mechanisms underlying binge-eating disorder and the pro-social effects of the neuropeptide oxytocin, elucidating the clinical relevance of studying neural circuits underlying essential innate functions. Finally, we discuss some exciting brain structures recurrently appearing in the regulation of different behaviors, which suggests both divergence and convergence in the neural encoding of specific innate behaviors. Going forward, we emphasize the importance of multi-angle and cross-species dissections in delineating neural circuits that control innate behaviors.
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19
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Tanaka J, Ishikawa F, Jinno T, Miyakita M, Miyamori H, Sasaki T, Yokokawa T, Goto T, Inoue K, Matsumura S. Disruption of CRTC1 and CRTC2 in Sim1 cells strongly increases high-fat diet intake in female mice but has a modest impact on male mice. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0262577. [PMID: 35020776 PMCID: PMC8754333 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0262577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
cAMP responsive element binding protein (CREB)-regulated transcription coactivators (CRTCs) regulate gene transcription in response to an increase in intracellular cAMP or Ca2+ levels. To date, three isoforms of CRTC have been identified in mammals. All CRTCs are widely expressed in various regions of the brain. Numerous studies have shown the importance of CREB and CRTC in energy homeostasis. In the brain, the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVH) plays a critical role in energy metabolism, and CRTC1 and CRTC2 are highly expressed in PVH neuronal cells. The single-minded homolog 1 gene (Sim1) is densely expressed in PVH neurons and in some areas of the amygdala neurons. To determine the role of CRTCs in PVH on energy metabolism, we generated mice that lacked CRTC1 and CRTC2 in Sim1 cells using Sim-1 cre mice. We found that Sim1 cell-specific CRTC1 and CRTC2 double-knockout mice were sensitive to high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity. Sim1 cell-specific CRTC1 and CRTC2 double knockout mice showed hyperphagia specifically for the HFD, but not for the normal chow diet, increased fat mass, and no change in energy expenditure. Interestingly, these phenotypes were stronger in female mice than in male mice, and a weak phenotype was observed in the normal chow diet. The lack of CRTC1 and CRTC2 in Sim1 cells changed the mRNA levels of some neuropeptides that regulate energy metabolism in female mice fed an HFD. Taken together, our findings suggest that CRTCs in Sim1 cells regulate gene expression and suppress excessive fat intake, especially in female mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Tanaka
- Division of Food Science and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Fuka Ishikawa
- Division of Food Science and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Tomoki Jinno
- Division of Food Science and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Motoki Miyakita
- Division of Food Science and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Haruka Miyamori
- Division of Food Science and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Tsutomu Sasaki
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Takumi Yokokawa
- Division of Food Science and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Goto
- Division of Food Science and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Kazuo Inoue
- Division of Food Science and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Shigenobu Matsumura
- Division of Food Science and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, Graduate School of Comprehensive Rehabilitation, Osaka Prefecture University, Osaka, Japan
- * E-mail:
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20
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Panera N, Mandato C, Crudele A, Bertrando S, Vajro P, Alisi A. Genetics, epigenetics and transgenerational transmission of obesity in children. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:1006008. [PMID: 36452324 PMCID: PMC9704419 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.1006008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Sedentary lifestyle and consumption of high-calorie foods have caused a relentless increase of overweight and obesity prevalence at all ages. Its presently epidemic proportion is disquieting due to the tight relationship of obesity with metabolic syndrome and several other comorbidities which do call for urgent workarounds. The usual ineffectiveness of present therapies and failure of prevention campaigns triggered overtime a number of research studies which have unveiled some relevant aspects of obesity genetic and epigenetic inheritable profiles. These findings are revealing extremely precious mainly to serve as a likely extra arrow to allow the clinician's bow to achieve still hitherto unmet preventive goals. Evidence now exists that maternal obesity/overnutrition during pregnancy and lactation convincingly appears associated with several disorders in the offspring independently of the transmission of a purely genetic predisposition. Even the pre-conception direct exposure of either father or mother gametes to environmental factors can reprogram the epigenetic architecture of cells. Such phenomena lie behind the transfer of the obesity susceptibility to future generations through a mechanism of epigenetic inheritance. Moreover, a growing number of studies suggests that several environmental factors such as maternal malnutrition, hypoxia, and exposure to excess hormones and endocrine disruptors during pregnancy and the early postnatal period may play critical roles in programming childhood adipose tissue and obesity. A deeper understanding of how inherited genetics and epigenetics may generate an obesogenic environment at pediatric age might strengthen our knowledge about pathogenetic mechanisms and improve the clinical management of patients. Therefore, in this narrative review, we attempt to provide a general overview of the contribution of heritable genetic and epigenetic patterns to the obesity susceptibility in children, placing a particular emphasis on the mother-child dyad.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia Panera
- Unit of Molecular Genetics of Complex Phenotypes, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudia Mandato
- Pediatrics Section, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Salermo, Italy
- *Correspondence: Anna Alisi, ; Claudia Mandato,
| | - Annalisa Crudele
- Unit of Molecular Genetics of Complex Phenotypes, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Bertrando
- Pediatrics Clinic, San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d’Aragona University Hospital, Salerno, Italy
| | - Pietro Vajro
- Pediatrics Section, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Salermo, Italy
| | - Anna Alisi
- Unit of Molecular Genetics of Complex Phenotypes, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- *Correspondence: Anna Alisi, ; Claudia Mandato,
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21
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Valek L, Tegeder I. Failure of Diphtheria Toxin Model to Induce Parkinson-Like Behavior in Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22179496. [PMID: 34502404 PMCID: PMC8430633 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22179496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Rodent models of Parkinson’s disease are based on transgenic expression of mutant synuclein, deletion of PD genes, injections of MPTP or rotenone, or seeding of synuclein fibrils. The models show histopathologic features of PD such as Lewi bodies but mostly only subtle in vivo manifestations or systemic toxicity. The models only partly mimic a predominant loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. We therefore generated mice that express the transgenic diphtheria toxin receptor (DTR) specifically in DA neurons by crossing DAT-Cre mice with Rosa26 loxP-STOP-loxP DTR mice. After defining a well-tolerated DTx dose, DAT-DTR and DTR-flfl controls were subjected to non-toxic DTx treatment (5 × 100 pg/g) and subsequent histology and behavioral tests. DAT protein levels were reduced in the midbrain, and tyrosine hydroxylase-positive neurons were reduced in the substantia nigra, whereas the pan-neuronal marker NeuN was not affected. Despite the promising histologic results, there was no difference in motor function tests or open field behavior. These are tests in which double mutant Pink1−/−SNCAA53T Parkinson mice show behavioral abnormalities. Higher doses of DTx were toxic in both groups. The data suggest that DTx treatment in mice with Cre/loxP-driven DAT-DTR expression leads to partial ablation of DA-neurons but without PD-reminiscent behavioral correlates.
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22
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Kerem L, Lawson EA. The Effects of Oxytocin on Appetite Regulation, Food Intake and Metabolism in Humans. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:7737. [PMID: 34299356 PMCID: PMC8306733 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22147737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2021] [Revised: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The hypothalamic peptide oxytocin and its receptor are involved in a range of physiological processes, including parturition, lactation, cell growth, wound healing, and social behavior. More recently, increasing evidence has established the effects of oxytocin on food intake, energy expenditure, and peripheral metabolism. In this review, we provide a comprehensive description of the central oxytocinergic system in which oxytocin acts to shape eating behavior and metabolism. Next, we discuss the peripheral beneficial effects oxytocin exerts on key metabolic organs, including suppression of visceral adipose tissue inflammation, skeletal muscle regeneration, and bone tissue mineralization. A brief summary of oxytocin actions learned from animal models is presented, showing that weight loss induced by chronic oxytocin treatment is related not only to its anorexigenic effects, but also to the resulting increase in energy expenditure and lipolysis. Following an in-depth discussion on the technical challenges related to endogenous oxytocin measurements in humans, we synthesize data related to the association between endogenous oxytocin levels, weight status, metabolic syndrome, and bone health. We then review clinical trials showing that in humans, acute oxytocin administration reduces food intake, attenuates fMRI activation of food motivation brain areas, and increases activation of self-control brain regions. Further strengthening the role of oxytocin in appetite regulation, we review conditions of hypothalamic insult and certain genetic pathologies associated with oxytocin depletion that present with hyperphagia, extreme weight gain, and poor metabolic profile. Intranasal oxytocin is currently being evaluated in human clinical trials to learn whether oxytocin-based therapeutics can be used to treat obesity and its associated sequela. At the end of this review, we address the fundamental challenges that remain in translating this line of research to clinical care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liya Kerem
- Neuroendocrine Unit, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA;
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Massachusetts General Hospital for Children, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Elizabeth A. Lawson
- Neuroendocrine Unit, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA;
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23
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Gonzalez IE, Ramirez-Matias J, Lu C, Pan W, Zhu A, Myers MG, Olson DP. Paraventricular Calcitonin Receptor-Expressing Neurons Modulate Energy Homeostasis in Male Mice. Endocrinology 2021; 162:6218079. [PMID: 33834205 PMCID: PMC8139622 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqab072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVH) is a heterogeneous collection of neurons that play important roles in modulating feeding and energy expenditure. Abnormal development or ablation of the PVH results in hyperphagic obesity and defects in energy expenditure whereas selective activation of defined PVH neuronal populations can suppress feeding and may promote energy expenditure. Here, we characterize the contribution of calcitonin receptor-expressing PVH neurons (CalcRPVH) to energy balance control. We used Cre-dependent viral tools delivered stereotaxically to the PVH of CalcR2Acre mice to activate, silence, and trace CalcRPVH neurons and determine their contribution to body weight regulation. Immunohistochemistry of fluorescently-labeled CalcRPVH neurons demonstrates that CalcRPVH neurons are largely distinct from several PVH neuronal populations involved in energy homeostasis; these neurons project to regions of the hindbrain that are implicated in energy balance control, including the nucleus of the solitary tract and the parabrachial nucleus. Acute activation of CalcRPVH neurons suppresses feeding without appreciably augmenting energy expenditure, whereas their silencing leads to obesity that may be due in part due to loss of PVH melanocortin-4 receptor signaling. These data show that CalcRPVH neurons are an essential component of energy balance neurocircuitry and their function is important for body weight maintenance. A thorough understanding of the mechanisms by which CalcRPVH neurons modulate energy balance might identify novel therapeutic targets for the treatment and prevention of obesity.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Eating/physiology
- Energy Metabolism/genetics
- Energy Metabolism/physiology
- Feeding Behavior/physiology
- Homeostasis/physiology
- Hypothalamus/metabolism
- Hypothalamus/physiology
- Male
- Mice
- Mice, Transgenic
- Neurons/metabolism
- Neurons/physiology
- Paraventricular Hypothalamic Nucleus/metabolism
- Paraventricular Hypothalamic Nucleus/physiology
- Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 4/genetics
- Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 4/metabolism
- Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 4/physiology
- Receptors, Calcitonin/genetics
- Receptors, Calcitonin/metabolism
- Receptors, Calcitonin/physiology
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian E Gonzalez
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Julliana Ramirez-Matias
- College of Literature, Science, and the Arts, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Chunxia Lu
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Warren Pan
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Graduate Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Allen Zhu
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Martin G Myers
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Graduate Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - David P Olson
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Correspondence: David P. Olson, MD PhD, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Michigan Medicine, D1205 MPB / SPC 5718, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
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24
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Van Drunen R, Eckel-Mahan K. Circadian Rhythms of the Hypothalamus: From Function to Physiology. Clocks Sleep 2021; 3:189-226. [PMID: 33668705 PMCID: PMC7931002 DOI: 10.3390/clockssleep3010012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The nearly ubiquitous expression of endogenous 24 h oscillations known as circadian rhythms regulate the timing of physiological functions in the body. These intrinsic rhythms are sensitive to external cues, known as zeitgebers, which entrain the internal biological processes to the daily environmental changes in light, temperature, and food availability. Light directly entrains the master clock, the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) which lies in the hypothalamus of the brain and is responsible for synchronizing internal rhythms. However, recent evidence underscores the importance of other hypothalamic nuclei in regulating several essential rhythmic biological functions. These extra-SCN hypothalamic nuclei also express circadian rhythms, suggesting distinct regions that oscillate either semi-autonomously or independent of SCN innervation. Concurrently, the extra-SCN hypothalamic nuclei are also sensitized to fluctuations in nutrient and hormonal signals. Thus, food intake acts as another powerful entrainer for the hypothalamic oscillators' mediation of energy homeostasis. Ablation studies and genetic mouse models with perturbed extra-SCN hypothalamic nuclei function reveal their critical downstream involvement in an array of functions including metabolism, thermogenesis, food consumption, thirst, mood and sleep. Large epidemiological studies of individuals whose internal circadian cycle is chronically disrupted reveal that disruption of our internal clock is associated with an increased risk of obesity and several neurological diseases and disorders. In this review, we discuss the profound role of the extra-SCN hypothalamic nuclei in rhythmically regulating and coordinating body wide functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Van Drunen
- MD Anderson UTHealth School Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston TX 77030, USA;
- Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine University of Texas McGovern Medical School, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Kristin Eckel-Mahan
- MD Anderson UTHealth School Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston TX 77030, USA;
- Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine University of Texas McGovern Medical School, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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25
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Neuroprotective Effects of Testosterone in the Hypothalamus of an Animal Model of Metabolic Syndrome. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22041589. [PMID: 33557413 PMCID: PMC7914611 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22041589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Revised: 01/31/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is known to be associated to inflammation and alteration in the hypothalamus, a brain region implicated in the control of several physiological functions, including energy homeostasis and reproduction. Previous studies demonstrated the beneficial effects of testosterone treatment (TTh) in counteracting some MetS symptoms in both animal models and clinical studies. This study investigated the effect of TTh (30 mg/kg/week for 12 weeks) on the hypothalamus in a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced animal model of MetS, utilizing quantitative RT-PCR and immunohistochemical analyses. The animal model recapitulates the human MetS features, including low testosterone/gonadotropin plasma levels. TTh significantly improved MetS-induced hypertension, visceral adipose tissue accumulation, and glucose homeostasis derangements. Within hypothalamus, TTh significantly counteracted HFD-induced inflammation, as detected in terms of expression of inflammatory markers and microglial activation. Moreover, TTh remarkably reverted the HFD-associated alterations in the expression of important regulators of energy status and reproduction, such as the melanocortin and the GnRH-controlling network. Our results suggest that TTh may exert neuroprotective effects on the HFD-related hypothalamic alterations, with positive outcomes on the circuits implicated in the control of energy metabolism and reproductive tasks, thus supporting a possible role of TTh in the clinical management of MetS.
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26
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Wald HS, Chandra A, Kalluri A, Ong ZY, Hayes MR, Grill HJ. NTS and VTA oxytocin reduces food motivation and food seeking. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2020; 319:R673-R683. [PMID: 33026822 DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00201.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Oxytocin (OT) is a neuropeptide whose central receptor-mediated actions include reducing food intake. One mechanism of its behavioral action is the amplification of the feeding inhibitory effects of gastrointestinal (GI) satiation signals processed by hindbrain neurons. OT treatment also reduces carbohydrate intake in humans and rodents, and correspondingly, deficits in central OT receptor (OT-R) signaling increase sucrose self-administration. This suggests that additional processes contribute to central OT effects on feeding. This study investigated the hypothesis that central OT reduces food intake by decreasing food seeking and food motivation. As central OT-Rs are expressed widely, a related focus was to assess the role of one or more OT-R-expressing nuclei in food motivation and food-seeking behavior. OT was delivered to the lateral ventricle (LV), nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS), or ventral tegmental area (VTA), and a progressive ratio (PR) schedule of operant reinforcement and an operant reinstatement paradigm were used to measure motivated feeding behavior and food-seeking behavior, respectively. OT delivered to the LV, NTS, or VTA reduced 1) motivation to work for food and 2) reinstatement of food-seeking behavior. Results provide a novel and additional interpretation for central OT-driven food intake inhibition to include the reduction of food motivation and food seeking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hallie S Wald
- Department of Psychology, Institute of Diabetes Obesity and Metabolism, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Ananya Chandra
- Department of Psychology, Institute of Diabetes Obesity and Metabolism, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Anita Kalluri
- Department of Psychology, Institute of Diabetes Obesity and Metabolism, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Zhi Yi Ong
- School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Matthew R Hayes
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Harvey J Grill
- Department of Psychology, Institute of Diabetes Obesity and Metabolism, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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27
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Gonsalves R, Aleck K, Newbern D, Shaibi G, Kapadia C, Oatman O. Severe early onset obesity and hypopituitarism in a child with a novel SIM1 gene mutation. Endocrinol Diabetes Metab Case Rep 2020; 2020:EDM200042. [PMID: 33434169 PMCID: PMC7576654 DOI: 10.1530/edm-20-0042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
SUMMARY Single-minded homolog 1 (SIM1) is a transcription factor that plays a role in the development of both the hypothalamus and pituitary. SIM1 gene mutations are known to cause obesity in humans, and chromosomal deletions encompassing SIM1 and other genes necessary for pituitary development can cause a Prader-Willi-like syndrome with obesity and hypopituitarism. There have been no reported cases of hypopituitarism linked to a single SIM1 mutation. A 21-month-old male presented to endocrinology clinic with excessive weight gain and severe obesity. History was also notable for excessive drinking and urination. Endocrine workup revealed central hypothyroidism, partial diabetes insipidus, and central adrenal insufficiency. Genetic evaluation revealed a novel mutation in the SIM1 gene. No other genetic abnormalities to account for his obesity and hypopituitarism were identified. While we cannot definitively state this mutation is pathogenic, it is notable that SIM1 plays a role in the development of all three of the patient's affected hormone axes. He is now 6 years old and remains on treatment for his pituitary hormone deficiencies and continues to exhibit excessive weight gain despite lifestyle interventions. LEARNING POINTS Mutations in SIM1 are a well-recognized cause of monogenic human obesity, and there have been case reports of Prader-Willi-like syndrome and hypopituitarism in patients with chromosomal deletions that contain the SIM1 gene. SIM1 is expressed during the development of the hypothalamus, specifically in neuroendocrine lineages that give rise to the hormones oxytocin, arginine vasopressin, thyrotropin-releasing hormone, corticotropin-releasing hormone, and somatostatin. Pituitary testing should be considered in patients with severe obesity and a known genetic abnormality affecting the SIM1 gene, particularly in the pediatric population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rob Gonsalves
- Division of Endocrinology, Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
| | - Kirk Aleck
- Division of Genetics, Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
| | - Dorothee Newbern
- Division of Endocrinology, Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
| | - Gabriel Shaibi
- Division of Endocrinology, Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
| | - Chirag Kapadia
- Division of Endocrinology, Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
| | - Oliver Oatman
- Division of Endocrinology, Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
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28
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Coban MA, Blackburn PR, Whitelaw ML, van Haelst MM, Atwal PS, Caulfield TR. Structural Models for the Dynamic Effects of Loss-of-Function Variants in the Human SIM1 Protein Transcriptional Activation Domain. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10091314. [PMID: 32932609 PMCID: PMC7563489 DOI: 10.3390/biom10091314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2020] [Revised: 08/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Single-minded homologue 1 (SIM1) is a transcription factor with numerous different physiological and developmental functions. SIM1 is a member of the class I basic helix-loop-helix-PER-ARNT-SIM (bHLH-PAS) transcription factor family, that includes several other conserved proteins, including the hypoxia-inducible factors, aryl hydrocarbon receptor, neuronal PAS proteins, and the CLOCK circadian regulator. Recent studies of HIF-a-ARNT and CLOCK-BMAL1 protein complexes have revealed the organization of their bHLH, PASA, and PASB domains and provided insight into how these heterodimeric protein complexes form; however, experimental structures for SIM1 have been lacking. Here, we describe the first full-length atomic structural model for human SIM1 with its binding partner ARNT in a heterodimeric complex and analyze several pathogenic variants utilizing state-of-the-art simulations and algorithms. Using local and global positional deviation metrics, deductions to the structural basis for the individual mutants are addressed in terms of the deleterious structural reorganizations that could alter protein function. We propose new experiments to probe these hypotheses and examine an interesting SIM1 dynamic behavior. The conformational dynamics demonstrates conformational changes on local and global regions that represent a mechanism for dysfunction in variants presented. In addition, we used our ab initio hybrid model for further prediction of variant hotspots that can be engineered to test for counter variant (restoration of wild-type function) or basic research probe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathew A. Coban
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA;
| | - Patrick R. Blackburn
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA;
| | - Murray L. Whitelaw
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Adelaide, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia;
| | - Mieke M. van Haelst
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands;
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Paldeep S. Atwal
- Center for Individualized Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA;
- Atwal Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Thomas R. Caulfield
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA;
- Center for Individualized Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA;
- Department of Clinical Genomics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA, MN, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-904-953-6072; Fax: +1-904-953-7370
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29
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Kim ER, Xu Y, Cassidy RM, Lu Y, Yang Y, Tian J, Li DP, Van Drunen R, Ribas-Latre A, Cai ZL, Xue M, Arenkiel BR, Eckel-Mahan K, Xu Y, Tong Q. Paraventricular hypothalamus mediates diurnal rhythm of metabolism. Nat Commun 2020; 11:3794. [PMID: 32732906 PMCID: PMC7393104 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-17578-7] [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: 09/20/2019] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Defective rhythmic metabolism is associated with high-fat high-caloric diet (HFD) feeding, ageing and obesity; however, the neural basis underlying HFD effects on diurnal metabolism remains elusive. Here we show that deletion of BMAL1, a core clock gene, in paraventricular hypothalamic (PVH) neurons reduces diurnal rhythmicity in metabolism, causes obesity and diminishes PVH neuron activation in response to fast-refeeding. Animal models mimicking deficiency in PVH neuron responsiveness, achieved through clamping PVH neuron activity at high or low levels, both show obesity and reduced diurnal rhythmicity in metabolism. Interestingly, the PVH exhibits BMAL1-controlled rhythmic expression of GABA-A receptor γ2 subunit, and dampening rhythmicity of GABAergic input to the PVH reduces diurnal rhythmicity in metabolism and causes obesity. Finally, BMAL1 deletion blunts PVH neuron responses to external stressors, an effect mimicked by HFD feeding. Thus, BMAL1-driven PVH neuron responsiveness in dynamic activity changes involving rhythmic GABAergic neurotransmission mediates diurnal rhythmicity in metabolism and is implicated in diet-induced obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eun Ran Kim
- Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas McGovern Medical School, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Yuanzhong Xu
- Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas McGovern Medical School, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Ryan M Cassidy
- Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas McGovern Medical School, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience of MD Anderson and UTHealth Graduate School, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Yungang Lu
- Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas McGovern Medical School, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Yongjie Yang
- Children's Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jinbin Tian
- Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas McGovern Medical School, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Department of Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Texas McGovern Medical School, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - De-Pei Li
- Department of Critical Care and Respiratory Care, Division of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Rachel Van Drunen
- Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas McGovern Medical School, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience of MD Anderson and UTHealth Graduate School, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Aleix Ribas-Latre
- Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas McGovern Medical School, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Zhao-Lin Cai
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Cain Foundation Laboratories, Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Mingshan Xue
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Cain Foundation Laboratories, Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Benjamin R Arenkiel
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Kristin Eckel-Mahan
- Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas McGovern Medical School, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Yong Xu
- Children's Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Qingchun Tong
- Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas McGovern Medical School, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience of MD Anderson and UTHealth Graduate School, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy of McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
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30
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Sutton AK, Gonzalez IE, Sadagurski M, Rajala M, Lu C, Allison MB, Adams JM, Myers MG, White MF, Olson DP. Paraventricular, subparaventricular and periventricular hypothalamic IRS4-expressing neurons are required for normal energy balance. Sci Rep 2020; 10:5546. [PMID: 32218485 PMCID: PMC7099088 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-62468-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2019] [Accepted: 03/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding the neural components modulating feeding-related behavior and energy expenditure is crucial to combating obesity and its comorbidities. Neurons within the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVH) are a key component of the satiety response; activation of the PVH decreases feeding and increases energy expenditure, thereby promoting negative energy balance. In contrast, PVH ablation or silencing in both rodents and humans leads to substantial obesity. Recent studies have identified genetically-defined PVH subpopulations that control discrete aspects of energy balance (e.g. oxytocin (OXT), neuronal nitric oxide synthase 1 (NOS1), melanocortin 4-receptor (MC4R), prodynorphin (PDYN)). We previously demonstrated that non-OXT NOS1PVH neurons contribute to PVH-mediated feeding suppression. Here, we identify and characterize a non-OXT, non-NOS1 subpopulation of PVH and peri-PVH neurons expressing insulin-receptor substrate 4 (IRS4PVH) involved in energy balance control. Using Cre-dependent viral tools to activate, trace and silence these neurons, we highlight the sufficiency and necessity of IRS4PVH neurons in normal feeding and energy expenditure regulation. Furthermore, we demonstrate that IRS4PVH neurons lie within a complex hypothalamic circuitry that engages distinct hindbrain regions and is innervated by discrete upstream hypothalamic sites. Overall, we reveal a requisite role for IRS4PVH neurons in PVH-mediated energy balance which raises the possibility of developing novel approaches targeting IRS4PVH neurons for anti-obesity therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy K Sutton
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Ian E Gonzalez
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | | | - Michael Rajala
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Chunxia Lu
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Margaret B Allison
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Jessica M Adams
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Martin G Myers
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.,Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Morris F White
- Department of Endocrinology, Children's Hospital Boston, Boston, MA, USA
| | - David P Olson
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. .,Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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31
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Xiao C, Liu N, Province H, Piñol RA, Gavrilova O, Reitman ML. BRS3 in both MC4R- and SIM1-expressing neurons regulates energy homeostasis in mice. Mol Metab 2020; 36:100969. [PMID: 32229422 PMCID: PMC7113433 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2020.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2020] [Revised: 02/13/2020] [Accepted: 02/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Bombesin-like receptor 3 (BRS3) is an orphan receptor and Brs3 knockout mice develop obesity with increased food intake and reduced resting metabolic rate and body temperature. The neuronal populations contributing to these effects were examined. METHODS We studied energy metabolism in mice with Cre-mediated recombination causing 1) loss of BRS3 selectively in SIM1- or MC4R-expressing neurons or 2) selective re-expression of BRS3 from a null background in these neurons. RESULTS The deletion of BRS3 in MC4R neurons increased body weight/adiposity, metabolic efficiency, and food intake, and reduced insulin sensitivity. BRS3 re-expression in these neurons caused partial or no reversal of these traits. However, these observations were confounded by an obesity phenotype caused by the Mc4r-Cre allele, independent of its recombinase activity. The deletion of BRS3 in SIM1 neurons increased body weight/adiposity and food intake, but not to the levels of the global null. The re-expression of BRS3 in SIM1 neurons reduced body weight/adiposity and food intake, but not to wild type levels. The deletion of BRS3 in either MC4R- or SIM1-expressing neurons affected body temperature, with re-expression in either population reversing the null phenotype. MK-5046, a BRS3 agonist, increases light phase body temperature in wild type, but not Brs3 null, mice and BRS3 re-expression in either population restored response to MK-5046. CONCLUSIONS BRS3 in both MC4R- and SIM1-expressing neurons contributes to regulation of body weight/adiposity, insulin sensitivity, food intake, and body temperature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cuiying Xiao
- Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Obesity Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Naili Liu
- Mouse Metabolism Core, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Haley Province
- Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Obesity Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Ramón A Piñol
- Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Obesity Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Oksana Gavrilova
- Mouse Metabolism Core, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Marc L Reitman
- Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Obesity Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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González-García I, Milbank E, Martinez-Ordoñez A, Diéguez C, López M, Contreras C. HYPOTHesizing about central comBAT against obesity. J Physiol Biochem 2019; 76:193-211. [PMID: 31845114 DOI: 10.1007/s13105-019-00719-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2019] [Accepted: 12/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The hypothalamus is a brain region in charge of many vital functions. Among them, BAT thermogenesis represents an essential physiological function to maintain body temperature. In the metabolic context, it has now been established that energy expenditure attributed to BAT function can contribute to the energy balance in a substantial extent. Thus, therapeutic interest in this regard has increased in the last years and some studies have shown that BAT function in humans can make a real contribution to improve diabetes and obesity-associated diseases. Nevertheless, how the hypothalamus controls BAT activity is still not fully understood. Despite the fact that much has been known about the mechanisms that regulate BAT activity in recent years, and that the central regulation of thermogenesis offers a very promising target, many questions remain still unsolved. Among them, the possible human application of knowledge obtained from rodent studies, and drug administration strategies able to specifically target the hypothalamus. Here, we review the current knowledge of homeostatic regulation of BAT, including the molecular insights of brown adipocytes, its central control, and its implication in the development of obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ismael González-García
- Institute for Diabetes and Obesity, Helmholtz Diabetes Center, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health (GmbH), Neuherberg, Germany.
| | - Edward Milbank
- CIMUS, University of Santiago de Compostela-Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria, 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.,CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn), 15706, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Anxo Martinez-Ordoñez
- CIMUS, University of Santiago de Compostela-Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria, 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Carlos Diéguez
- CIMUS, University of Santiago de Compostela-Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria, 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.,CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn), 15706, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Miguel López
- CIMUS, University of Santiago de Compostela-Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria, 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.,CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn), 15706, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Cristina Contreras
- Department of Physiology, Pharmacy School, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
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Semple E, Shalabi F, Hill JW. Oxytocin Neurons Enable Melanocortin Regulation of Male Sexual Function in Mice. Mol Neurobiol 2019; 56:6310-6323. [PMID: 30756300 PMCID: PMC6684847 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-019-1514-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2018] [Accepted: 01/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The melanocortin pathway has been implicated in both metabolism and sexual function. When the melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) is knocked out globally, male mice display obesity, low sexual desire, and copulatory difficulties; however, it is unclear whether these phenotypes are interdependent. To elucidate the neuronal circuitry involved in sexual dysfunction in MC4R knockouts, we re-expressed the MC4R in these mice exclusively on Sim1 neurons (tbMC4RSim1 mice) or on a subset of Sim1 neurons, namely oxytocin neurons (tbMC4Roxt mice). The groups were matched at young ages to control for the effects of obesity. Interestingly, young MC4R null mice had no deficits in sexual motivation or erectile function. However, MC4R null mice were found to have an increased latency to reach ejaculation compared to control mice, which was restored in both tbMC4RSim1 and tbMC4Roxt mice. These results indicate that melanocortin signaling via the MC4R on oxytocin neurons is important for normal ejaculation independent of the male's metabolic health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin Semple
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, 3000 Arlington Ave., Toledo, OH, 43614, USA
| | - Firas Shalabi
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, 3000 Arlington Ave., Toledo, OH, 43614, USA
| | - Jennifer W Hill
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, 3000 Arlington Ave., Toledo, OH, 43614, USA.
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34
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Li MM, Madara JC, Steger JS, Krashes MJ, Balthasar N, Campbell JN, Resch JM, Conley NJ, Garfield AS, Lowell BB. The Paraventricular Hypothalamus Regulates Satiety and Prevents Obesity via Two Genetically Distinct Circuits. Neuron 2019; 102:653-667.e6. [PMID: 30879785 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2019.02.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2018] [Revised: 02/02/2019] [Accepted: 02/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
SIM1-expressing paraventricular hypothalamus (PVH) neurons are key regulators of energy balance. Within the PVHSIM1 population, melanocortin-4 receptor-expressing (PVHMC4R) neurons are known to regulate satiety and bodyweight, yet they account for only half of PVHSIM1 neuron-mediated regulation. Here we report that PVH prodynorphin-expressing (PVHPDYN) neurons, which notably lack MC4Rs, function independently and additively with PVHMC4R neurons to account for the totality of PVHSIM1 neuron-mediated satiety. Moreover, PVHPDYN neurons are necessary for prevention of obesity in an independent but equipotent manner to PVHMC4R neurons. While PVHPDYN and PVHMC4R neurons both project to the parabrachial complex (PB), they synaptically engage distinct efferent nodes, the pre-locus coeruleus (pLC), and central lateral parabrachial nucleus (cLPBN), respectively. PB-projecting PVHPDYN neurons, like PVHMC4R neurons, receive input from interoceptive ARCAgRP neurons, respond to caloric state, and are sufficient and necessary to control food intake. This expands the CNS satiety circuitry to include two non-overlapping PVH to hindbrain circuits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica M Li
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Joseph C Madara
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Jennifer S Steger
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Michael J Krashes
- Diabetes, Endocrinology and Obesity Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Nina Balthasar
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - John N Campbell
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Jon M Resch
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Nicholas J Conley
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Alastair S Garfield
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Centre for Integrative Physiology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
| | - Bradford B Lowell
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Program in Neuroscience, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
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Li C, Navarrete J, Liang-Guallpa J, Lu C, Funderburk SC, Chang RB, Liberles SD, Olson DP, Krashes MJ. Defined Paraventricular Hypothalamic Populations Exhibit Differential Responses to Food Contingent on Caloric State. Cell Metab 2019; 29:681-694.e5. [PMID: 30472090 PMCID: PMC6402975 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2018.10.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2018] [Revised: 09/12/2018] [Accepted: 10/24/2018] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the neural framework behind appetite control is fundamental to developing effective therapies to combat the obesity epidemic. The paraventricular hypothalamus (PVH) is critical for appetite regulation, yet, the real-time, physiological response properties of PVH neurons to nutrients are unknown. Using a combination of fiber photometry, electrophysiology, immunohistochemistry, and neural manipulation strategies, we determined the population dynamics of four molecularly delineated PVH subsets implicated in feeding behavior: glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor (PVHGlp1r), melanocortin-4 receptor (PVHMc4r), oxytocin (PVHOxt), and corticotropin-releasing hormone (PVHCrh). We identified both calorie- and state-dependent sustained activity increases and decreases in PVHGlp1r and PVHCrh populations, respectively, while observing transient bulk changes of PVHMc4r, but no response in PVHOxt, neurons to food. Furthermore, we highlight the role of PVHGlp1r neurons in orchestrating acute feeding behavior, independent of the anti-obesity drug liraglutide, and demonstrate the indispensability of PVHGlp1r and PVHMc4r, but not PVHOxt or PVHCrh neurons, in body weight maintenance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia Li
- Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Obesity Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Jovana Navarrete
- Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Obesity Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Jing Liang-Guallpa
- Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Obesity Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; Brown University Graduate Partnerships Program, Providence, RI 02912, USA; National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Chunxia Lu
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Samuel C Funderburk
- Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Obesity Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Rui B Chang
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Stephen D Liberles
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - David P Olson
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Michael J Krashes
- Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Obesity Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA.
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36
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Nyamugenda E, Trentzsch M, Russell S, Miles T, Boysen G, Phelan KD, Baldini G. Injury to hypothalamic Sim1 neurons is a common feature of obesity by exposure to high-fat diet in male and female mice. J Neurochem 2019; 149:73-97. [PMID: 30615192 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.14662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2018] [Revised: 10/16/2018] [Accepted: 01/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The hypothalamus is essential for regulation of energy homeostasis and metabolism. Feeding hypercaloric, high-fat (HF) diet induces hypothalamic arcuate nucleus injury and alters metabolism more severely in male than in female mice. The site(s) and extent of hypothalamic injury in male and female mice are not completely understood. In the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus, single-minded family basic helix-loop helix transcription factor 1 (Sim1) neurons are essential to control energy homeostasis. We tested the hypothesis that exposure to HF diet induces injury to Sim1 neurons in the PVN of male and female mice. Mice expressing membrane-bound enhanced green fluorescent protein (mEGFP) in Sim1 neurons (Sim1-Cre:Rosa-mEGFP mice) were generated to visualize the effects of exposure to HF diet on these neurons. Male and female Sim1-Cre:Rosa-mEGFP mice exposed to HF diet had increased weight, hyperleptinemia, and developed hepatosteatosis. In male and female mice exposed to HF diet, expression of mEGFP was reduced by > 40% in Sim1 neurons of the PVN, an effect paralleled by cell apoptosis and neuronal loss, but not by microgliosis. In the arcuate nucleus of the Sim1-Cre:Rosa-mEGFP male mice, there was decreased alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone in proopiomelanocortin neurons projecting to the PVN, with increased cell apoptosis, neuronal loss, and microgliosis. These defects were undetectable in the arcuate nucleus of female mice exposed to the HF diet. Thus, injury to Sim1 neurons of the PVN is a shared feature of exposure to HF diet in mice of both sexes, while injury to proopiomelanocortin neurons in arcuate nucleus is specific to male mice. OPEN SCIENCE BADGES: This article has received a badge for *Open Materials* because it provided all relevant information to reproduce the study in the manuscript. The complete Open Science Disclosure form for this article can be found at the end of the article. More information about the Open Practices badges can be found at https://cos.io/our-services/open-science-badges/.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugene Nyamugenda
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
| | - Marcus Trentzsch
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
| | - Susan Russell
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
| | - Tiffany Miles
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
| | - Gunnar Boysen
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA.,The Winthrop P Rockefeller Cancer Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
| | - Kevin D Phelan
- Department of Neurobiology and Developmental Sciences, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
| | - Giulia Baldini
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
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Qin C, Li J, Tang K. The Paraventricular Nucleus of the Hypothalamus: Development, Function, and Human Diseases. Endocrinology 2018; 159:3458-3472. [PMID: 30052854 DOI: 10.1210/en.2018-00453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2018] [Accepted: 07/16/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVH), located in the ventral diencephalon adjacent to the third ventricle, is a highly conserved brain region present in species from zebrafish to humans. The PVH is composed of three main types of neurons, magnocellular, parvocellular, and long-projecting neurons, which play imperative roles in the regulation of energy balance and various endocrinological activities. In this review, we focus mainly on recent findings about the early development of the hypothalamus and the PVH, the functions of the PVH in the modulation of energy homeostasis and in the hypothalamus-pituitary system, and human diseases associated with the PVH, such as obesity, short stature, hypertension, and diabetes insipidus. Thus, the investigations of the PVH will benefit not only understanding of the development of the central nervous system but also the etiology of and therapy for human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Qin
- Queen Mary School, Medical Department, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Institute of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Jiaheng Li
- Queen Mary School, Medical Department, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Institute of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Ke Tang
- Institute of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Precise Genome Engineering Center, School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
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38
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Nagpal J, Herget U, Choi MK, Ryu S. Anatomy, development, and plasticity of the neurosecretory hypothalamus in zebrafish. Cell Tissue Res 2018; 375:5-22. [PMID: 30109407 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-018-2900-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2018] [Accepted: 07/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus harbors diverse neurosecretory cells with critical physiological roles for the homeostasis. Decades of research in rodents have provided a large amount of information on the anatomy, development, and function of this important hypothalamic nucleus. However, since the hypothalamus lies deep within the brain in mammals and is difficult to access, many questions regarding development and plasticity of this nucleus still remain. In particular, how different environmental conditions, including stress exposure, shape the development of this important nucleus has been difficult to address in animals that develop in utero. To address these open questions, the transparent larval zebrafish with its rapid external development and excellent genetic toolbox offers exciting opportunities. In this review, we summarize recent information on the anatomy and development of the neurosecretory preoptic area (NPO), which represents a similar structure to the mammalian PVN in zebrafish. We will then review recent studies on the development of different cell types in the neurosecretory hypothalamus both in mouse and in fish. Lastly, we discuss stress-induced plasticity of the PVN mainly discussing the data obtained in rodents, but pointing out tools and approaches available in zebrafish for future studies. This review serves as a primer for the currently available information relevant for studying the development and plasticity of this important brain region using zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jatin Nagpal
- German Resilience Center, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Duesbergweg 6, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Ulrich Herget
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, 1200 E. California Blvd. Mail Code 156-29, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | - Min K Choi
- German Resilience Center, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Duesbergweg 6, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Soojin Ryu
- German Resilience Center, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Duesbergweg 6, 55128, Mainz, Germany.
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Thompson KJ, Khajehali E, Bradley SJ, Navarrete JS, Huang XP, Slocum S, Jin J, Liu J, Xiong Y, Olsen RHJ, Diberto JF, Boyt KM, Pina MM, Pati D, Molloy C, Bundgaard C, Sexton PM, Kash TL, Krashes MJ, Christopoulos A, Roth BL, Tobin AB. DREADD Agonist 21 Is an Effective Agonist for Muscarinic-Based DREADDs in Vitro and in Vivo. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2018; 1:61-72. [PMID: 30868140 PMCID: PMC6407913 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.8b00012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
![]()
Chemogenetic tools such as designer
receptors exclusively activated
by designer drugs (DREADDs) are routinely used to modulate neuronal
and non-neuronal signaling and activity in a relatively noninvasive
manner. The first generation of DREADDs were templated from the human
muscarinic acetylcholine receptor family and are relatively insensitive
to the endogenous agonist acetylcholine but instead are activated
by clozapine-N-oxide (CNO). Despite the undisputed
success of CNO as an activator of muscarinic DREADDs, it has been
known for some time that CNO is subject to a low rate of metabolic
conversion to clozapine, raising the need for alternative chemical
actuators of muscarinic-based DREADDs. Here we show that DREADD agonist 21 (C21) (11-(1-piperazinyl)-5H-dibenzo[b,e][1,4]diazepine)
is a potent and selective agonist at both excitatory (hM3Dq) and inhibitory
(hM4Di) DREADDs and has excellent bioavailability, pharmacokinetic
properties, and brain penetrability. We also show that C21-induced
activation of hM3Dq and hM4Di in vivo can modulate
bidirectional feeding in defined circuits in mice. These results indicate
that C21 represents an alternative to CNO for in vivo studies where metabolic conversion of CNO to clozapine is a concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen J Thompson
- Centre for Translational Pharmacology, Institute of Molecular, Cell, and Systems Biology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland G12 8QQ, United Kingdom
| | - Elham Khajehali
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Sophie J Bradley
- Centre for Translational Pharmacology, Institute of Molecular, Cell, and Systems Biology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland G12 8QQ, United Kingdom
| | - Jovana S Navarrete
- Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Obesity Branch, National Institutes of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States.,National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, United States
| | - Xi Ping Huang
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina NC2751, United States
| | - Samuel Slocum
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina NC2751, United States
| | - Jian Jin
- Center for Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Sciences and Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY10029, United States
| | - Jing Liu
- Center for Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Sciences and Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY10029, United States
| | - Yan Xiong
- Center for Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Sciences and Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY10029, United States
| | - Reid H J Olsen
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina NC2751, United States
| | - Jeffrey F Diberto
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina NC2751, United States
| | - Kristen M Boyt
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina NC2751, United States
| | - Melanie M Pina
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina NC2751, United States
| | - Dipanwita Pati
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina NC2751, United States
| | - Colin Molloy
- Centre for Translational Pharmacology, Institute of Molecular, Cell, and Systems Biology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland G12 8QQ, United Kingdom
| | - Christoffer Bundgaard
- Neuroscience, Eli Lilly & Co., Erl Wood Manor, Windlesham, Surrey GU20 6PH, United Kingdom
| | - Patrick M Sexton
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Thomas L Kash
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina NC2751, United States
| | - Michael J Krashes
- Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Obesity Branch, National Institutes of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States.,National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, United States
| | - Arthur Christopoulos
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Bryan L Roth
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina NC2751, United States
| | - Andrew B Tobin
- Centre for Translational Pharmacology, Institute of Molecular, Cell, and Systems Biology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland G12 8QQ, United Kingdom
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van Eenige R, van der Stelt M, Rensen PCN, Kooijman S. Regulation of Adipose Tissue Metabolism by the Endocannabinoid System. Trends Endocrinol Metab 2018; 29:326-337. [PMID: 29588112 DOI: 10.1016/j.tem.2018.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2018] [Revised: 02/28/2018] [Accepted: 03/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
White adipose tissue (WAT) stores excess energy as triglycerides, and brown adipose tissue (BAT) is specialized in dissipating energy as heat. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is involved in a broad range of physiological processes and is increasingly recognized as a key player in adipose tissue metabolism. High ECS tonus in the fed state is associated with a disadvantageous metabolic phenotype, and this has led to a search for pharmacological strategies to inhibit the ECS. In this review we present recent developments that cast light on the regulation of adipose tissue metabolism by the ECS, and we discuss novel treatment options including the modulation of endocannabinoid synthesis and breakdown enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin van Eenige
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, and Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Mario van der Stelt
- Department of Molecular Physiology, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Patrick C N Rensen
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, and Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - Sander Kooijman
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, and Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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41
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Thomas MA, Xue B. Mechanisms for AgRP neuron-mediated regulation of appetitive behaviors in rodents. Physiol Behav 2017; 190:34-42. [PMID: 29031550 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2017.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2017] [Revised: 08/29/2017] [Accepted: 10/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The obesity epidemic is a major health and economic burden facing both developed and developing countries worldwide. Interrogation of the central and peripheral mechanisms regulating ingestive behaviors have primarily focused on food intake, and in the process uncovered a detailed neuroanatomical framework controlling this behavior. However, these studies have largely ignored the behaviors that bring animals, including humans, in contact with food. It is therefore useful to dichotomize ingestive behaviors as appetitive (motivation to find and store food) and consummatory (consumption of food once found), and utilize an animal model that naturally displays these behaviors. Recent advances in genetics have facilitated the identification of several neuronal populations critical for regulating ingestive behaviors in mice, and novel functions of these neurons and neuropeptides in regulating appetitive behaviors in Siberian hamsters, a natural model of food foraging and food hoarding, have been identified. To this end, hypothalamic agouti-related protein/neuropeptide Y expressing neurons (AgRP neurons) have emerged as a critical regulator of ingestive behaviors. Recent studies by Dr. Timothy Bartness and others have identified several discrete mechanisms through which peripheral endocrine signals regulate AgRP neurons to control food foraging, food hoarding, and food intake. We review here recent advances in our understanding of the neuroendocrine control of ingestive behaviors in Siberian hamsters and other laboratory rodents, and identify novel mechanisms through which AgRP neurons mediate appetitive and consummatory behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Alex Thomas
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30302, USA; Center for Obesity Reversal, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30302, USA
| | - Bingzhong Xue
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30302, USA; Center for Obesity Reversal, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30302, USA; Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30302, USA.
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Ong ZY, Bongiorno DM, Hernando MA, Grill HJ. Effects of Endogenous Oxytocin Receptor Signaling in Nucleus Tractus Solitarius on Satiation-Mediated Feeding and Thermogenic Control in Male Rats. Endocrinology 2017; 158:2826-2836. [PMID: 28575174 PMCID: PMC5659667 DOI: 10.1210/en.2017-00200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2017] [Accepted: 05/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Central oxytocin receptor (OT-R) signaling reduces food intake and increases energy expenditure, but the central sites and mechanisms mediating these effects are unresolved. We showed previously that pharmacological activation of OT-R in hindbrain/nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) amplifies the intake-inhibitory effects of gastrointestinal (GI) satiation signals. Unexplored were the energetic effects of hindbrain OT-R agonism and the physiological relevance of NTS OT-R signaling on food intake and energy expenditure control. Using a virally mediated OT-R knockdown (KD) strategy and a range of behavioral paradigms, this study examined the role of endogenous NTS OT-R signaling on satiation-mediated food intake inhibition and thermogenic control. Results showed that, compared with controls, NTS OT-R KD rats consumed larger meals, were less responsive to the intake-inhibitory effects of a self-ingested preload, and consumed more chow following a 24-hour fast. These data indicate that NTS OT-R signaling is necessary for normal satiation control. Whereas both control and NTS OT-R KD rats increased core temperature following high-fat diet maintenance (relative to chow maintenance), the percent increase in core temperature was greater in control compared with NTS OT-R KD rats during the light cycle. Hindbrain oxytocin agonist delivery increased core temperature in both control and NTS OT-R KD rats and the percent increase relative to vehicle treatment was not significantly different between groups. Together, data reveal a critical role for endogenous NTS OT-R signaling in mediating the intake-inhibitory effects of endogenous GI satiation signals and in diet-induced thermogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi Yi Ong
- Department of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104
| | - Diana M. Bongiorno
- Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104
| | - Mary Ann Hernando
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104
| | - Harvey J. Grill
- Department of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104
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Xi D, Long C, Lai M, Casella A, O'Lear L, Kublaoui B, Roizen JD. Ablation of Oxytocin Neurons Causes a Deficit in Cold Stress Response. J Endocr Soc 2017; 1:1041-1055. [PMID: 29264556 PMCID: PMC5686635 DOI: 10.1210/js.2017-00136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2017] [Accepted: 07/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The paraventricular nucleus (PVN) is a critical locus of energy balance control. Three sets of neurons in the PVN are involved in regulating energy balance: oxytocin-expressing neurons (OXT-neurons), thyrotropin-releasing hormone–expressing neurons, and corticotrophin-releasing hormone–expressing neurons. To examine the role of OXT-neurons in energy balance, we ablated these neurons in mice by injecting diphtheria toxin into mice possessing both the oxytocin promoter driving cre expression and a cre-inducible diphtheria toxin receptor. Immunohistochemistry and real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction confirmed that this injection caused a significant decrease in PVN OXT-neurons and OXT-mRNA abundance. OXT-neuron ablation did not alter food intake, weight, or energy expenditure at room temperature on either chow or a high-fat diet. To further characterize OXT-neuron–ablated mice, we examined their response to 1) intraperitoneal cholecystokinin (CCK) injection and 2) thermogenic stress. OXT-neuron–ablated mice had a blunted decrease in feeding response to CCK. When exposed to the extreme cold (4°C) for 3 hours, OXT-neuron–ablated mice had significant decreases in both rectal and brown adipose tissue temperature relative to controls, which was rescued by OXT treatment. Thermographic imaging revealed that OXT-neuron–ablated mice had increased body surface temperature. Thus, we report that OXT-neuron ablation shows no role for OXT-neurons in energy homeostasis at neutral temperature but reveals a heretofore unappreciated role for OXT-neurons and oxytocin specifically in regulating the thermogenic stress response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Xi
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104
| | - Caela Long
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104
| | - Meizan Lai
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104
| | - Alex Casella
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104
| | - Lauren O'Lear
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104
| | - Bassil Kublaoui
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104.,University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104
| | - Jeffrey D Roizen
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104.,University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104
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Leng G, Sabatier N. Oxytocin - The Sweet Hormone? Trends Endocrinol Metab 2017; 28:365-376. [PMID: 28283319 DOI: 10.1016/j.tem.2017.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2016] [Revised: 02/07/2017] [Accepted: 02/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Mammalian neurons that produce oxytocin and vasopressin apparently evolved from an ancient cell type with both sensory and neurosecretory properties that probably linked reproductive functions to energy status and feeding behavior. Oxytocin in modern mammals is an autocrine/paracrine regulator of cell function, a systemic hormone, a neuromodulator released from axon terminals within the brain, and a 'neurohormone' that acts at receptors distant from its site of release. In the periphery oxytocin is involved in electrolyte homeostasis, gastric motility, glucose homeostasis, adipogenesis, and osteogenesis, and within the brain it is involved in food reward, food choice, and satiety. Oxytocin preferentially suppresses intake of sweet-tasting carbohydrates while improving glucose tolerance and supporting bone remodeling, making it an enticing translational target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gareth Leng
- Centre for Integrative Physiology, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh UK.
| | - Nancy Sabatier
- Centre for Integrative Physiology, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh UK
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Exploring the Behavioral and Metabolic Phenotype Generated by Re-Introduction of the Ghrelin Receptor in the Ventral Tegmental Area. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:ijms18050914. [PMID: 28445429 PMCID: PMC5454827 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18050914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2017] [Revised: 04/01/2017] [Accepted: 04/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Ghrelin receptor (Ghr-R) signaling in neurons of the ventral tegmental area (VTA) can modulate dopaminergic function and the reward-related effects of both palatable foods and drugs of abuse. In this study, we re-introduced the Ghr-R in VTA neurons in Ghr-R knockout mice (Ghr-RVTA mice) to specifically study the importance of the constitutively active Ghr-R for VTA neuronal signaling. Our results showed that re-introduction of the Ghr-R in the VTA had no impact on body weight or food intake under basal conditions. However, during novel environment stress Ghr-RVTA mice showed increased food intake and energy expenditure compared to Ghr-R knockout mice, demonstrating the significance of Ghr-R signaling in the response to stress. Ghr-RVTA mice also showed increased cocaine-induced locomotor activity compared to Ghr-R knockout mice, highlighting the importance of ghrelin signaling for the reward-related effects of activation of VTA neurons. Overall, our data suggest that re-introduction of the Ghr-R in the mesolimbic reward system of Ghr-R knockout mice increases the level of activation induced by both cocaine and novelty stress.
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Contreras C, Nogueiras R, Diéguez C, Rahmouni K, López M. Traveling from the hypothalamus to the adipose tissue: The thermogenic pathway. Redox Biol 2017; 12:854-863. [PMID: 28448947 PMCID: PMC5406580 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2017.04.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2017] [Revised: 04/08/2017] [Accepted: 04/11/2017] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Brown adipose tissue (BAT) is a specialized tissue critical for non-shivering thermogenesis producing heat through mitochondrial uncoupling; whereas white adipose tissue (WAT) is responsible of energy storage in the form of triglycerides. Another type of fat has been described, the beige adipose tissue; this tissue emerges in existing WAT depots but with thermogenic ability, a phenomenon known as browning. Several peripheral signals relaying information about energy status act in the brain, particularly the hypothalamus, to regulate thermogenesis in BAT and browning of WAT. Different hypothalamic areas have the capacity to regulate the thermogenic process in brown and beige adipocytes through the sympathetic nervous system (SNS). This review discusses important concepts and discoveries about the central control of thermogenesis as a trip that starts in the hypothalamus, and taking the sympathetic roads to reach brown and beige fat to modulate thermogenic functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Contreras
- Department of Physiology, CIMUS, University of Santiago de Compostela-Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria, Santiago de Compostela 15782, Spain; CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn), Santiago de Compostela 15706, Spain.
| | - Rubén Nogueiras
- Department of Physiology, CIMUS, University of Santiago de Compostela-Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria, Santiago de Compostela 15782, Spain; CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn), Santiago de Compostela 15706, Spain
| | - Carlos Diéguez
- Department of Physiology, CIMUS, University of Santiago de Compostela-Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria, Santiago de Compostela 15782, Spain; CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn), Santiago de Compostela 15706, Spain
| | - Kamal Rahmouni
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, USA; Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, USA
| | - Miguel López
- Department of Physiology, CIMUS, University of Santiago de Compostela-Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria, Santiago de Compostela 15782, Spain; CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn), Santiago de Compostela 15706, Spain.
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47
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Contreras C, Nogueiras R, Diéguez C, Medina-Gómez G, López M. Hypothalamus and thermogenesis: Heating the BAT, browning the WAT. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2016; 438:107-115. [PMID: 27498420 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2016.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2016] [Revised: 07/30/2016] [Accepted: 08/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Brown adipose tissue (BAT) has been also considered as the main thermogenic organ responsible of maintenance body temperature through heat production. However, a new type of thermogenic fat has been characterized during the last years, the beige or brite fat, that is developed from white adipose tissue (WAT) in response to different stimuli by a process known as browning. The activities of brown and beige adipocytes ameliorate metabolic disease, including obesity in mice and correlate with leanness in humans. Many genes and pathways that regulate brown and beige adipocyte biology have now been identified, providing a variety of promising therapeutic targets for metabolic disease. The hypothalamus is the main central place orchestrating the outflow signals that drive the sympathetic nerve activity to BAT and WAT, controlling heat production and energy homeostasis. Recent data have revealed new hypothalamic molecular mechanisms, such as hypothalamic AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), that control both thermogenesis and browning. This review provides an overview of the factors influencing BAT and WAT thermogenesis, with special focus on the integration of peripheral information on hypothalamic circuits controlling thermoregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Contreras
- Department of Physiology, CIMUS, University of Santiago de Compostela-Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria, Santiago de Compostela, 15782, Spain; CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn), Santiago de Compostela, 15706, Spain.
| | - Rubén Nogueiras
- Department of Physiology, CIMUS, University of Santiago de Compostela-Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria, Santiago de Compostela, 15782, Spain; CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn), Santiago de Compostela, 15706, Spain
| | - Carlos Diéguez
- Department of Physiology, CIMUS, University of Santiago de Compostela-Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria, Santiago de Compostela, 15782, Spain; CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn), Santiago de Compostela, 15706, Spain
| | - Gema Medina-Gómez
- Área de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Departamento de Ciencias Básicas de la Salud, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, 28922, Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel López
- Department of Physiology, CIMUS, University of Santiago de Compostela-Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria, Santiago de Compostela, 15782, Spain; CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn), Santiago de Compostela, 15706, Spain.
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48
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Contribution of adaptive thermogenesis to the hypothalamic regulation of energy balance. Biochem J 2016; 473:4063-4082. [DOI: 10.1042/bcj20160012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2016] [Revised: 08/13/2016] [Accepted: 08/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Obesity and its related disorders are among the most pervasive diseases in contemporary societies, and there is an urgent need for new therapies and preventive approaches. Given (i) our poor social capacity to correct unhealthy habits, and (ii) our evolutionarily genetic predisposition to store excess energy as fat, the current environment of caloric surplus makes the treatment of obesity extremely difficult. During the last few decades, an increasing number of methodological approaches have increased our knowledge of the neuroanatomical basis of the control of energy balance. Compelling evidence underlines the role of the hypothalamus as a homeostatic integrator of metabolic information and its ability to adjust energy balance. A greater understanding of the neural basis of the hypothalamic regulation of energy balance might indeed pave the way for new therapeutic targets. In this regard, it has been shown that several important peripheral signals, such as leptin, thyroid hormones, oestrogens and bone morphogenetic protein 8B, converge on common energy sensors, such as AMP-activated protein kinase to modulate sympathetic tone on brown adipose tissue. This knowledge may open new ways to counteract the chronic imbalance underlying obesity. Here, we review the current state of the art on the role of hypothalamus in the regulation of energy balance with particular focus on thermogenesis.
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Webber ES, Bonci A, Krashes MJ. The elegance of energy balance: Insight from circuit-level manipulations. Synapse 2016; 69:461-74. [PMID: 26126768 DOI: 10.1002/syn.21837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2015] [Revised: 06/08/2015] [Accepted: 06/16/2015] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Mechanisms of energy balance were first examined using very powerful neuroscience techniques such as lesions and electrical stimulation. This early work identified the hypothalamus as a key structure involved in hunger and feeding; however, neural resolution of cell-defined populations contributing to appetite regulation remained elusive. Recent innovations in neuroscience have produced constructs that allow for a high degree of specificity in loss- and gain-of-function manipulations in molecularly circumscribed neural subsets as well as monosynaptic circuit mapping and in vivo neurophysiology. These complimentary techniques have provided researchers an unprecedented amount of empirical agility. As a result, cell populations in two subregions of the hypothalamus have emerged as key players in the physiological control of feeding behavior. The arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus and the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus contain neural populations that have a direct role in the promotion of hunger and satiety. These include neurons that express agouti-related peptide, pro-opiomelanocortin, single-minded homolog 1 protein, and the melanocortin-4 receptor. This review focuses on how these neural subsets communicate with one another, link up to build elaborate networks, and ultimately contribute to alterations in food intake. The continuing advancement of neuroscience tools, as well as a multimodal integration of findings, will be critical in illuminating an exhaustive and clinically relevant hunger circuit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily S Webber
- Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Diabetes, Endocrinology and Obesity Branch, National Institute of Diabetes, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Antonello Bonci
- National Institute of Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Michael J Krashes
- Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Diabetes, Endocrinology and Obesity Branch, National Institute of Diabetes, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland.,National Institute of Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland
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50
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Romano A, Tempesta B, Micioni Di Bonaventura MV, Gaetani S. From Autism to Eating Disorders and More: The Role of Oxytocin in Neuropsychiatric Disorders. Front Neurosci 2016; 9:497. [PMID: 26793046 PMCID: PMC4709851 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2015.00497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2015] [Accepted: 12/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxytocin (oxy) is a pituitary neuropeptide hormone synthesized from the paraventricular and supraoptic nuclei within the hypothalamus. Like other neuropeptides, oxy can modulate a wide range of neurotransmitter and neuromodulator activities. Additionally, through the neurohypophysis, oxy is secreted into the systemic circulation to act as a hormone, thereby influencing several body functions. Oxy plays a pivotal role in parturition, milk let-down and maternal behavior and has been demonstrated to be important in the formation of pair bonding between mother and infants as well as in mating pairs. Furthermore, oxy has been proven to play a key role in the regulation of several behaviors associated with neuropsychiatric disorders, including social interactions, social memory response to social stimuli, decision-making in the context of social interactions, feeding behavior, emotional reactivity, etc. An increasing body of evidence suggests that deregulations of the oxytocinergic system might be involved in the pathophysiology of certain neuropsychiatric disorders such as autism, eating disorders, schizophrenia, mood, and anxiety disorders. The potential use of oxy in these mental health disorders is attracting growing interest since numerous beneficial properties are ascribed to this neuropeptide. The present manuscript will review the existing findings on the role played by oxy in a variety of distinct physiological and behavioral functions (Figure 1) and on its role and impact in different psychiatric disorders. The aim of this review is to highlight the need of further investigations on this target that might contribute to the development of novel more efficacious therapies.
Oxytocin regulatory control of different and complex processes. ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Adele Romano
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "Vittorio Erspamer", Sapienza University of Rome Rome, Italy
| | - Bianca Tempesta
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "Vittorio Erspamer", Sapienza University of Rome Rome, Italy
| | | | - Silvana Gaetani
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "Vittorio Erspamer", Sapienza University of Rome Rome, Italy
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