Probes for INS

Eating is a learned process. Our desires for specific foods arise through experience. Both electrical stimulation and optogenetic studies have shown that increased activity in the lateral hypothalamus (LH) promotes feeding. Current dogma is that these effects reflect a role for LH neurons in the control of the core motivation to feed, and their activity comes under control of forebrain regions to elicit learned food-motivated behaviors. However, these effects could also reflect the storage of associative information about the cues leading to food in LH itself. Here, we present data from several studies that are consistent with a role for LH in learning. In the first experiment, we use a novel GAD-Cre rat to show that optogenetic inhibition of LH γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurons restricted to cue presentation disrupts the rats' ability to learn that a cue predicts food without affecting subsequent food consumption. In the second experiment, we show that this manipulation also disrupts the ability of a cue to promote food seeking after learning. Finally, we show that inhibition of the terminals of the LH GABA neurons in ventral-tegmental area (VTA) facilitates learning about reward-paired cues. These results suggest that the LH GABA neurons are critical for storing and later disseminating information about reward-predictive cues.

The lateral habenula (LHb) has a key role in integrating a variety of neural circuits associated with reward and aversive behaviors. There is limited information about how the different cell types and neuronal circuits within the LHb coordinate physiological and motivational states. Here, we report a cell type in the medial division of the LHb (LHbM) in male rats that is distinguished by: (1) a molecular signature for GABAergic neurotransmission (Slc32a1/VGAT) and estrogen receptor (Esr1/ERα) expression, at both mRNA and protein levels, as well as the mRNA for vesicular glutamate transporter Slc17a6/VGLUT2, which we term the GABAergic estrogen-receptive neuron (GERN); (2) its axonal projection patterns, identified by in vivo juxtacellular labeling, to both local LHb and to midbrain modulatory systems; and (3) its somatic expression of receptors for vasopressin, serotonin and dopamine, and mRNA for orexin receptor 2. This cell type is anatomically located to receive afferents from midbrain reward (dopamine and serotonin) and hypothalamic water and energy homeostasis (vasopressin and orexin) circuits. These afferents shared the expression of estrogen synthase (aromatase) and VGLUT2, both in their somata and axon terminals. We demonstrate dynamic changes in LHbM VGAT+ cell density, dependent upon gonadal functional status, that closely correlate with motivational behavior in response to predator and forced swim stressors. The findings suggest that the homeostasis and reward-related glutamatergic convergent projecting pathways to LHbMC employ a localized neurosteroid signaling mechanism via axonal expression of aromatase, to act as a switch for GERN excitation/inhibition output prevalence, influencing depressive or motivated behavior.

The rat nucleus incertus (NI) contains GABA/peptide-projection neurons responsive to orexin (hypocretin)/orexin receptor-2 (OX2) signalling. Melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) and orexin neurons often innervate and influence common target areas. Therefore, we assessed the relationship between these hypothalamic peptidergic systems and rat NI, by investigating the presence of an MCH innervation and MCH receptor-1 (MCH1) expression, and neurophysiological and behavioural effects of MCH c.f. orexin-A (OXA), within the NI. We identified lateral hypothalamus (LH), perifornical and sub-zona incerta MCH neurons that innervate NI, and characterised the rostrocaudal distribution of MCH-containing fibres in NI. Single-cell RT-PCR detected MCH1 and OX2 mRNA in NI, and multiplex, fluorescent in situ hybridisation revealed distinct co-expression patterns of MCH1 and OX2 mRNA in NI neurons expressing vesicular GABA transporter (vGAT) mRNA. Patch-clamp recordings revealed 34% of NI neurons tested were hyperpolarised by MCH (1 μM), representing a distinct population from OXA-sensitive NI neurons (35%). Intra-NI OXA infusion (600 pmol) in satiated rats during the light/inactive phase produced increased locomotor activity and food (standard chow) intake, whereas intra-NI MCH infusion (600 pmol) produced only a trend for decreased locomotor activity and no effect on food intake. Furthermore, in satiated or pre-fasted rats tested during the dark/active phase, intra-NI infusion of MCH did not alter the elevated locomotor activity or higher food intake observed. However, quantification of neuropeptide-immunostaining revealed differential diurnal fluctuations in orexin and MCH trafficking to NI. Our findings identify MCH and orexin inputs onto divergent NI populations which may differentially influence arousal and motivated behaviours.

Objective

Adult obesity risk is influenced by alterations to fetal and neonatal environments. Modifying neonatal gut or neurohormone signaling pathways can have negative metabolic consequences in adulthood. Here we characterize the effect of neonatal activation of glucagon like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor (GLP1R) signaling on adult adiposity and metabolism.

Methods

Wild type C57BL/6 mice were injected with 1 nmol/kg Exendin-4 (Ex-4), a GLP1R agonist, for 6 consecutive days after birth. Growth, body composition, serum analysis, energy expenditure, food intake, and brain and fat pad histology and gene expression were assessed at multiple time points through 42 weeks. Similar analyses were conducted in a Glp1r conditional allele crossed with a Sim1Cre deleter strain to produce Sim1Cre;Glp1r^loxP/loxP mice and control littermates.

Results

Neonatal administration of Ex-4 reduced adult body weight and fat mass, increased energy expenditure, and conferred protection from diet-induced obesity in female mice. This was associated with induction of brown adipose genes and increased noradrenergic fiber density in parametrial white adipose tissue (WAT). We further observed durable alterations in orexigenic and anorexigenic projections to the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus (PVH). Genetic deletion of Glp1r in the PVH by Sim1-Cre abrogated the impact of neonatal Ex-4 on adult body weight, WAT browning, and hypothalamic architecture.

Conclusion

These observations suggest that the acute activation of GLP1R in neonates durably alters hypothalamic architecture to limit adult weight gain and adiposity, identifying GLP1R as a therapeutic target for obesity prevention.

Shank2 is an abundant postsynaptic scaffolding protein implicated in neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders, including autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Deletion of Shank2 in mice has been shown to induce social deficits, repetitive behaviors, and hyperactivity, but the identity of the cell types that contribute to these phenotypes has remained unclear. Here, we report a conditional mouse line with a Shank2 deletion restricted to parvalbumin (PV)-positive neurons (Pv-Cre;Shank2fl/fl mice). These mice display moderate hyperactivity in both novel and familiar environments and enhanced self-grooming in novel, but not familiar, environments. In contrast, they showed normal levels of social interaction, anxiety-like behavior, and learning and memory. Basal brain rhythms in Pv-Cre;Shank2fl/fl mice, measured by electroencephalography, were normal, but susceptibility to pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizures was decreased. These results suggest that Shank2 deletion in PV-positive neurons leads to hyperactivity, enhanced self-grooming and suppressed brain excitation.

Pharmacological activation of the hypothalamic glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor (GLP-1R) promotes weight loss and improves glucose tolerance. This demonstrates that the hypothalamic GLP-1R is sufficient but does not show whether it is necessary for the effects of exogenous GLP-1R agonists (GLP-1RA) or endogenous GLP-1 on these parameters. To address this, we crossed mice harboring floxed Glp1r alleles to mice expressing Nkx2.1-Cre to knock down Glp1r expression throughout the hypothalamus (GLP-1RKDΔNkx2.1cre). We also generated mice lacking Glp1r expression specifically in two GLP-1RA-responsive hypothalamic feeding nuclei/cell types, the paraventricular nucleus (GLP-1RKDΔSim1cre) and proopiomelanocortin neurons (GLP-1RKDΔPOMCcre). Chow -fed GLP-1RKDΔNkx2.1cre mice exhibited increased food intake and energy expenditure with no net effect on body weight. When fed a high fat diet (HFD), these mice exhibited normal food intake but elevated energy expenditure, yielding reduced weight gain. None of these phenotypes were observed in GLP-1RKDΔSim1creand GLP-1RKDΔPOMCcre mice. The acute anorectic and glucose tolerance effects of peripherally-dosed GLP-1RA exendin-4 and liraglutide were preserved in all mouse lines. Chronic liraglutide treatment reduced body weight in chow-fed GLP-1RKDΔNkx2.1cre mice, but this effect was attenuated upon HFD feeding. In sum, classical homeostatic control regions are sufficient but not individually necessary for the effects of GLP-1RA on nutrient homeostasis.

Light Sheet Fluorescence Microscopy (LSFM) of whole organs, in particular the brain, offers a plethora of biological data imaged in 3D. This technique is however often hindered by cumbersome non-automated analysis methods. Here we describe an approach to fully automate the analysis by integrating with data from the Allen Institute of Brain Science (AIBS), to provide precise assessment of the distribution and action of peptide-based pharmaceuticals in the brain. To illustrate this approach, we examined the acute central nervous system effects of the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist liraglutide. Peripherally administered liraglutide accessed the hypothalamus and brainstem, and led to activation in several brain regions of which most were intersected by projections from neurons in the lateral parabrachial nucleus. Collectively, we provide a rapid and unbiased analytical framework for LSFM data which enables quantification and exploration based on data from AIBS to support basic and translational discovery.

Sensory experience influences the establishment of neural connectivity through molecular mechanisms that remain unclear. Here, we employ single-nucleus RNA sequencing to investigate the contribution of sensory-driven gene expression to synaptic refinement in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus of the thalamus, a region of the brain that processes visual information. We find that visual experience induces the expression of the cytokine receptor Fn14 in excitatory thalamocortical neurons. By combining electrophysiological and structural techniques, we show that Fn14 is dispensable for early phases of refinement mediated by spontaneous activity but that Fn14 is essential for refinement during a later, experience-dependent period of development. Refinement deficits in mice lacking Fn14 are associated with functionally weaker and structurally smaller retinogeniculate inputs, indicating that Fn14 mediates both functional and anatomical rearrangements in response to sensory experience. These findings identify Fn14 as a molecular link between sensory-driven gene expression and vision-sensitive refinement in the brain.

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.