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1.
Nature ; 620(7972): 192-199, 2023 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37495690

ABSTRACT

Sympathetic activation during cold exposure increases adipocyte thermogenesis via the expression of mitochondrial protein uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1)1. The propensity of adipocytes to express UCP1 is under a critical influence of the adipose microenvironment and varies between sexes and among various fat depots2-7. Here we report that mammary gland ductal epithelial cells in the adipose niche regulate cold-induced adipocyte UCP1 expression in female mouse subcutaneous white adipose tissue (scWAT). Single-cell RNA sequencing shows that glandular luminal epithelium subtypes express transcripts that encode secretory factors controlling adipocyte UCP1 expression under cold conditions. We term these luminal epithelium secretory factors 'mammokines'. Using 3D visualization of whole-tissue immunofluorescence, we reveal sympathetic nerve-ductal contact points. We show that mammary ducts activated by sympathetic nerves limit adipocyte UCP1 expression via the mammokine lipocalin 2. In vivo and ex vivo ablation of mammary duct epithelium enhance the cold-induced adipocyte thermogenic gene programme in scWAT. Since the mammary duct network extends throughout most of the scWAT in female mice, females show markedly less scWAT UCP1 expression, fat oxidation, energy expenditure and subcutaneous fat mass loss compared with male mice, implicating sex-specific roles of mammokines in adipose thermogenesis. These results reveal a role of sympathetic nerve-activated glandular epithelium in adipocyte UCP1 expression and suggest that mammary duct luminal epithelium has an important role in controlling glandular adiposity.


Subject(s)
Adipocytes , Adipose Tissue, White , Epithelium , Mammary Glands, Animal , Thermogenesis , Animals , Female , Male , Mice , Adipocytes/metabolism , Adipose Tissue, White/cytology , Adipose Tissue, White/metabolism , Epithelium/innervation , Epithelium/metabolism , Uncoupling Protein 1/genetics , Uncoupling Protein 1/metabolism , Mammary Glands, Animal/cytology , Mammary Glands, Animal/innervation , Mammary Glands, Animal/physiology , Cold Temperature , Sympathetic Nervous System/physiology , Energy Metabolism , Oxidation-Reduction , Sex Characteristics
2.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A ; 113(5): 1429-34, 2016 Feb 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26787846

ABSTRACT

The reduced movement repertoire of Parkinson's disease (PD) is mainly due to degeneration of nigrostriatal dopamine neurons. Restoration of dopamine transmission by levodopa (L-DOPA) relieves motor symptoms of PD but often causes disabling dyskinesias. Subchronic L-DOPA increases levels of adaptor protein p11 (S100A10) in dopaminoceptive neurons of the striatum. Using experimental mouse models of Parkinsonism, we report here that global p11 knockout (KO) mice develop fewer jaw tremors in response to tacrine. Following L-DOPA, global p11KO mice show reduced therapeutic responses on rotational motor sensitization, but also develop less dyskinetic side effects. Studies using conditional p11KO mice reveal that distinct cell populations mediate these therapeutic and side effects. Selective deletion of p11 in cholinergic acetyltransferase (ChAT) neurons reduces tacrine-induced tremor. Mice lacking p11 in dopamine D2R-containing neurons have a reduced response to L-DOPA on the therapeutic parameters, but develop dyskinetic side effects. In contrast, mice lacking p11 in dopamine D1R-containing neurons exhibit tremor and rotational responses toward L-DOPA, but develop less dyskinesia. Moreover, coadministration of rapamycin with L-DOPA counteracts L-DOPA-induced dyskinesias in wild-type mice, but not in mice lacking p11 in D1R-containing neurons. 6-OHDA lesioning causes an increase of evoked striatal glutamate release in wild type, but not in global p11KO mice, indicating that altered glutamate neurotransmission could contribute to the reduced L-DOPA responsivity. These data demonstrate that p11 located in ChAT or D2R-containing neurons is involved in regulating therapeutic actions in experimental PD, whereas p11 in D1R-containing neurons underlies the development of L-DOPA-induced dyskinesias.


Subject(s)
Annexin A2/physiology , Dyskinesias/physiopathology , Levodopa/therapeutic use , Parkinsonian Disorders/drug therapy , S100 Proteins/physiology , Animals , Mice , Mice, Knockout
3.
Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab ; 315(3): E327-E339, 2018 09 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29812985

ABSTRACT

The central nervous system relies on a continual supply of glucose, and must be able to detect glucose levels and regulate peripheral organ functions to ensure that its energy requirements are met. Specialized glucose-sensing neurons, first described half a century ago, use glucose as a signal and modulate their firing rates as glucose levels change. Glucose-excited neurons are activated by increasing glucose concentrations, while glucose-inhibited neurons increase their firing rate as glucose concentrations fall and decrease their firing rate as glucose concentrations rise. Glucose-sensing neurons are present in multiple brain regions and are highly expressed in hypothalamic regions, where they are involved in functions related to glucose homeostasis. However, the roles of glucose-sensing neurons in healthy and disease states remain poorly understood. Technologies that can rapidly and reversibly activate or inhibit defined neural populations provide invaluable tools to investigate how specific neural populations regulate metabolism and other physiological roles. Optogenetics has high temporal and spatial resolutions, requires implants for neural stimulation, and is suitable for modulating local neural populations. Chemogenetics, which requires injection of a synthetic ligand, can target both local and widespread populations. Radio- and magnetogenetics offer rapid neural activation in localized or widespread neural populations without the need for implants or injections. These tools will allow us to better understand glucose-sensing neurons and their metabolism-regulating circuits.


Subject(s)
Brain/cytology , Glucose/genetics , Glucose/metabolism , Neurons/metabolism , Neurons/physiology , Animals , Brain Chemistry/genetics , Humans
4.
J Neurosci ; 35(41): 14057-69, 2015 Oct 14.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26468205

ABSTRACT

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a movement disorder characterized by a progressive loss of nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons. Restoration of dopamine transmission by l-DOPA relieves symptoms of PD but causes dyskinesia. Trace Amine-Associated Receptor 1 (TAAR1) modulates dopaminergic transmission, but its role in experimental Parkinsonism and l-DOPA responses has been neglected. Here, we report that TAAR1 knock-out (KO) mice show a reduced loss of dopaminergic markers in response to intrastriatal 6-OHDA administration compared with wild-type (WT) littermates. In contrast, the TAAR1 agonist RO5166017 aggravated degeneration induced by intrastriatal 6-OHDA in WT mice. Subchronic l-DOPA treatment of TAAR1 KO mice unilaterally lesioned with 6-OHDA in the medial forebrain bundle resulted in more pronounced rotational behavior and dyskinesia than in their WT counterparts. The enhanced behavioral sensitization to l-DOPA in TAAR1 KO mice was paralleled by increased phosphorylation of striatal GluA1 subunits of AMPA receptors. Conversely, RO5166017 counteracted both l-DOPA-induced rotation and dyskinesia as well as AMPA receptor phosphorylation. Underpinning a role for TAAR1 receptors in modulating glutamate neurotransmission, intrastriatal application of RO5166017 prevented the increase of evoked corticostriatal glutamate release provoked by dopamine deficiency after 6-OHDA-lesions or conditional KO of Nurr1. Finally, inhibition of corticostriatal glutamate release by TAAR1 showed mechanistic similarities to that effected by activation of dopamine D2 receptors. These data unveil a role for TAAR1 in modulating the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons, the behavioral response to l-DOPA, and presynaptic and postsynaptic glutamate neurotransmission in the striatum, supporting their relevance to the pathophysiology and, potentially, management of PD. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by a progressive loss of nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons. Restoration of dopamine transmission by l-DOPA relieves symptoms of PD but causes severe side effects. Trace Amine-Associated Receptor 1 (TAAR1) modulates dopaminergic transmission, but its role in PD and l-DOPA responses has been neglected. Here, we report that TAAR1 potentiates the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons and attenuates the behavioral response to l-DOPA and presynaptic and postsynaptic glutamate neurotransmission in the striatum, supporting the relevance of TAAR1 to the pathophysiology and, potentially, management of PD.


Subject(s)
Antiparkinson Agents/therapeutic use , Glutamic Acid/metabolism , Levodopa/therapeutic use , Parkinsonian Disorders/drug therapy , Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled/deficiency , Synaptic Transmission/genetics , Adrenergic Agents/toxicity , Akathisia, Drug-Induced/etiology , Animals , Cocaine/analogs & derivatives , Cocaine/pharmacokinetics , Corpus Striatum/drug effects , Corpus Striatum/pathology , Disease Models, Animal , Dopamine/metabolism , Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins/metabolism , Dopamine and cAMP-Regulated Phosphoprotein 32/metabolism , Levodopa/pharmacology , Male , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Mice, Knockout , Oligodeoxyribonucleotides, Antisense/pharmacology , Oxidopamine/toxicity , Parkinsonian Disorders/chemically induced , Parkinsonian Disorders/pathology , Radiopharmaceuticals/pharmacokinetics , Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled/genetics , Stereotyped Behavior/drug effects , Synaptic Transmission/drug effects , Time Factors , Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase/metabolism
5.
Neuroimage ; 136: 129-38, 2016 Aug 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27155126

ABSTRACT

With neurological processes involving multiple neurotransmitters and neuromodulators, it is important to have the ability to directly map and quantify multiple signaling molecules simultaneously in a single analysis. By utilizing a molecular-specific approach, namely desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry imaging (DESI-MSI), we demonstrated that the technique can be used to image multiple neurotransmitters and their metabolites (dopamine, dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, 3-methoxytyramine, serotonin, glutamate, glutamine, aspartate, γ-aminobutyric acid, adenosine) as well as neuroactive drugs (amphetamine, sibutramine, fluvoxamine) and drug metabolites in situ directly in brain tissue sections. The use of both positive and negative ionization modes increased the number of identified molecular targets. Chemical derivatization by charge-tagging the primary amines of molecules significantly increased the sensitivity, enabling the detection of low abundant neurotransmitters and other neuroactive substances previously undetectable by MSI. The sensitivity of the imaging approach of neurochemicals has a great potential in many diverse applications in fields such as neuroscience, pharmacology, drug discovery, neurochemistry, and medicine.


Subject(s)
Algorithms , Brain/metabolism , Molecular Imaging/methods , Neurotransmitter Agents/metabolism , Psychotropic Drugs/metabolism , Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization/methods , Animals , Brain/anatomy & histology , Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods , Male , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Rats , Rats, Sprague-Dawley , Reproducibility of Results , Sensitivity and Specificity , Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted , Tissue Distribution
6.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A ; 110(6): 2360-5, 2013 Feb 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23341612

ABSTRACT

Developmental transcription factors important in early neuron specification and differentiation often remain expressed in the adult brain. However, how these transcription factors function to mantain appropriate neuronal identities in adult neurons and how transcription factor dysregulation may contribute to disease remain largely unknown. The transcription factor Nurr1 has been associated with Parkinson's disease and is essential for the development of ventral midbrain dopamine (DA) neurons. We used conditional Nurr1 gene-targeted mice in which Nurr1 is ablated selectively in mature DA neurons by treatment with tamoxifen. We show that Nurr1 ablation results in a progressive pathology associated with reduced striatal DA, impaired motor behaviors, and dystrophic axons and dendrites. We used laser-microdissected DA neurons for RNA extraction and next-generation mRNA sequencing to identify Nurr1-regulated genes. This analysis revealed that Nurr1 functions mainly in transcriptional activation to regulate a battery of genes expressed in DA neurons. Importantly, nuclear-encoded mitochondrial genes were identified as the major functional category of Nurr1-regulated target genes. These studies indicate that Nurr1 has a key function in sustaining high respiratory function in these cells, and that Nurr1 ablation in mice recapitulates early features of Parkinson's disease.


Subject(s)
Dopaminergic Neurons/metabolism , Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 4, Group A, Member 2/metabolism , Animals , Behavior, Animal , Cell Nucleus/genetics , Dopamine/metabolism , Dopaminergic Neurons/ultrastructure , Gene Expression , Genes, Mitochondrial , Mice , Mice, Knockout , Mice, Transgenic , Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 4, Group A, Member 2/deficiency , Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 4, Group A, Member 2/genetics , Visual Cortex/metabolism
7.
Res Sq ; 2024 Mar 29.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38585822

ABSTRACT

Behavioral adaptations to environmental threats are crucial for survival and necessitate rapid deployment of energy reserves. The amygdala coordinates behavioral adaptations to threats, but little is known about its involvement in underpinning metabolic adaptations. Here, we show that acute stress activates medial amygdala (MeA) neurons that innervate the ventromedial hypothalamus (MeAVMH neurons), which precipitates hyperglycemia and hypophagia. The glycemic actions of MeAVMH neurons occur independent of adrenal or pancreatic glucoregulatory hormones. Instead, using whole-body virus tracing, we identify a polysynaptic connection from MeA to the liver, which promotes the rapid synthesis of glucose by hepatic gluconeogenesis. Repeated stress exposure disrupts MeA control of blood glucose and appetite, resulting in diabetes-like dysregulation of glucose homeostasis and weight gain. Our findings reveal a novel amygdala-liver axis that regulates rapid glycemic adaptations to stress and links recurrent stress to metabolic dysfunction.

8.
Sci Transl Med ; 16(755): eadg3456, 2024 Jul 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38985854

ABSTRACT

Five hundred thirty-seven million people globally suffer from diabetes. Insulin-producing ß cells are reduced in number in most people with diabetes, but most individuals still have some residual ß cells. However, none of the many diabetes drugs in common use increases human ß cell numbers. Recently, small molecules that inhibit dual tyrosine-regulated kinase 1A (DYRK1A) have been shown to induce immunohistochemical markers of human ß cell replication, and this is enhanced by drugs that stimulate the glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP1) receptor (GLP1R) on ß cells. However, it remains to be demonstrated whether these immunohistochemical findings translate into an actual increase in human ß cell numbers in vivo. It is also unknown whether DYRK1A inhibitors together with GLP1R agonists (GLP1RAs) affect human ß cell survival. Here, using an optimized immunolabeling-enabled three-dimensional imaging of solvent-cleared organs (iDISCO+) protocol in mouse kidneys bearing human islet grafts, we demonstrate that combination of a DYRK1A inhibitor with exendin-4 increases actual human ß cell mass in vivo by a mean of four- to sevenfold in diabetic and nondiabetic mice over 3 months and reverses diabetes, without alteration in human α cell mass. The augmentation in human ß cell mass occurred through mechanisms that included enhanced human ß cell proliferation, function, and survival. The increase in human ß cell survival was mediated, in part, by the islet prohormone VGF. Together, these findings demonstrate the therapeutic potential and favorable preclinical safety profile of the DYRK1A inhibitor-GLP1RA combination for diabetes treatment.


Subject(s)
Dyrk Kinases , Exenatide , Harmine , Insulin-Secreting Cells , Peptides , Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases , Protein-Tyrosine Kinases , Animals , Humans , Insulin-Secreting Cells/drug effects , Insulin-Secreting Cells/metabolism , Insulin-Secreting Cells/pathology , Exenatide/pharmacology , Exenatide/therapeutic use , Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism , Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/antagonists & inhibitors , Harmine/pharmacology , Protein-Tyrosine Kinases/metabolism , Protein-Tyrosine Kinases/antagonists & inhibitors , Mice , Peptides/pharmacology , Peptides/metabolism , Venoms/pharmacology , Venoms/therapeutic use , Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor/metabolism , Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor/agonists , Drug Therapy, Combination , Cell Proliferation/drug effects , Heterografts
9.
Diabetes ; 72(4): 433-448, 2023 04 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36940317

ABSTRACT

The Integrated Physiology of the Exocrine and Endocrine Compartments in Pancreatic Diseases workshop was a 1.5-day scientific conference at the National Institutes of Health (Bethesda, MD) that engaged clinical and basic science investigators interested in diseases of the pancreas. This report provides a summary of the proceedings from the workshop. The goals of the workshop were to forge connections and identify gaps in knowledge that could guide future research directions. Presentations were segregated into six major theme areas, including 1) pancreas anatomy and physiology, 2) diabetes in the setting of exocrine disease, 3) metabolic influences on the exocrine pancreas, 4) genetic drivers of pancreatic diseases, 5) tools for integrated pancreatic analysis, and 6) implications of exocrine-endocrine cross talk. For each theme, multiple presentations were followed by panel discussions on specific topics relevant to each area of research; these are summarized here. Significantly, the discussions resulted in the identification of research gaps and opportunities for the field to address. In general, it was concluded that as a pancreas research community, we must more thoughtfully integrate our current knowledge of normal physiology as well as the disease mechanisms that underlie endocrine and exocrine disorders so that there is a better understanding of the interplay between these compartments.


Subject(s)
Diabetes Mellitus , Islets of Langerhans , Pancreas, Exocrine , Pancreatic Diseases , Humans , Diabetes Mellitus/metabolism , Pancreas , Pancreatic Diseases/metabolism
10.
Cardiovasc Diabetol ; 11: 18, 2012 Mar 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22385577

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Lower extremity amputations are costly and debilitating complications in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). Our aim was to investigate changes in the amputation rate in patients with DM at the Karolinska University Hospital in Solna (KS) following the introduction of consensus guidelines for treatment and prevention of diabetic foot complications, and to identify risk groups of lower extremity amputations that should be targeted for preventive treatment. METHODS: 150 diabetic and 191 nondiabetic patients were amputated at KS between 2000 and 2006; of these 102 diabetic and 99 nondiabetic patients belonged to the catchment area of KS. 21 diabetic patients who belonged to KS catchment area were amputated at Danderyd University Hospital. All patients' case reports were searched for diagnoses of diabetes, vascular disorders, kidney disorders, and ulcer infections of the foot. RESULTS: There was a 60% reduction in the rate of amputations performed above the ankle in patients with DM during the study period. Patients with DM who underwent amputations were more commonly affected by foot infections and kidney disorders compared to the nondiabetic control group. Women with DM were 10 years older than the men when amputated, whereas men with DM underwent more multiple amputations and had more foot infections compared to the women. 88% of all diabetes-related amputations were preceded by foot ulcers. Only 30% of the patients had been referred to the multidisciplinary foot team prior to the decision of amputation. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate a reduced rate of major amputations in diabetic patients, which suggests an implementation of the consensus guidelines of foot care. We also propose further reduced amputation rates if patients with an increased risk of future amputation (i.e. male sex, kidney disease) are identified and offered preventive treatment early.


Subject(s)
Amputation, Surgical/trends , Diabetes Complications/complications , Diabetic Foot/complications , Lower Extremity/surgery , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Diabetes Complications/prevention & control , Diabetic Foot/prevention & control , Diabetic Foot/surgery , Female , Foot Ulcer/complications , Foot Ulcer/prevention & control , Foot Ulcer/surgery , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Practice Guidelines as Topic , Retrospective Studies , Sex Characteristics , Sweden
11.
Nat Commun ; 13(1): 4423, 2022 07 30.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35908073

ABSTRACT

Preservation and expansion of ß-cell mass is a therapeutic goal for diabetes. Here we show that the hyperactive isoform of carbohydrate response-element binding protein (ChREBPß) is a nuclear effector of hyperglycemic stress occurring in ß-cells in response to prolonged glucose exposure, high-fat diet, and diabetes. We show that transient positive feedback induction of ChREBPß is necessary for adaptive ß-cell expansion in response to metabolic challenges. Conversely, chronic excessive ß-cell-specific overexpression of ChREBPß results in loss of ß-cell identity, apoptosis, loss of ß-cell mass, and diabetes. Furthermore, ß-cell "glucolipotoxicity" can be prevented by deletion of ChREBPß. Moreover, ChREBPß-mediated cell death is mitigated by overexpression of the alternate CHREBP gene product, ChREBPα, or by activation of the antioxidant Nrf2 pathway in rodent and human ß-cells. We conclude that ChREBPß, whether adaptive or maladaptive, is an important determinant of ß-cell fate and a potential target for the preservation of ß-cell mass in diabetes.


Subject(s)
Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors , Insulin-Secreting Cells , Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors/genetics , Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors/metabolism , Feedback , Glucose/metabolism , Humans , Insulin-Secreting Cells/metabolism , Nuclear Proteins/genetics , Nuclear Proteins/metabolism
12.
Pancreas ; 51(9): 1061-1073, 2022 10 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37078927

ABSTRACT

ABSTRACT: The "Integrated Physiology of the Exocrine and Endocrine Compartments in Pancreatic Diseases" Workshop was a 1.5-day scientific conference at the National Institutes of Health (Bethesda, MD) that engaged clinical and basic science investigators interested in diseases of the pancreas. This report summarizes the workshop proceedings. The goal of the workshop was to forge connections and identify gaps in knowledge that could guide future research directions. Presentations were segregated into 6 major themes, including (a) Pancreas Anatomy and Physiology; (b) Diabetes in the Setting of Exocrine Disease; (c) Metabolic Influences on the Exocrine Pancreas; (d) Genetic Drivers of Pancreatic Diseases; (e) Tools for Integrated Pancreatic Analysis; and (f) Implications of Exocrine-Endocrine Crosstalk. For each theme, there were multiple presentations followed by panel discussions on specific topics relevant to each area of research; these are summarized herein. Significantly, the discussions resulted in the identification of research gaps and opportunities for the field to address. In general, it was concluded that as a pancreas research community, we must more thoughtfully integrate our current knowledge of the normal physiology as well as the disease mechanisms that underlie endocrine and exocrine disorders so that there is a better understanding of the interplay between these compartments.


Subject(s)
Diabetes Mellitus , Islets of Langerhans , Pancreas, Exocrine , Pancreatic Diseases , Humans , Diabetes Mellitus/therapy , Diabetes Mellitus/metabolism , Islets of Langerhans/metabolism , Pancreas/metabolism , Pancreas, Exocrine/metabolism , Pancreatic Diseases/diagnosis , Pancreatic Diseases/therapy , Pancreatic Diseases/metabolism
13.
Bio Protoc ; 11(15): e4103, 2021 Aug 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34458397

ABSTRACT

The pancreas is a heavily innervated organ, but pancreatic innervation can be challenging to comprehensively assess using conventional histological methods. However, recent advances in whole-mount tissue clearing and 3D rendering techniques have allowed detailed reconstructions of pancreatic innervation. Optical clearing is used to enhance tissue transparency and reduce light scattering, thus eliminating the need to section the tissue. Here, we describe a modified version of the optical tissue clearing protocol iDISCO+ (immunolabeling-enabled three-dimensional imaging of solvent-cleared organs) optimized for pancreatic innervation and endocrine markers. The protocol takes 13-19 days, depending on tissue size. In addition, we include protocols for imaging using light sheet and confocal microscopes and for 3D segmentation of pancreatic innervation and endocrine cells using Imaris.

14.
JCI Insight ; 5(21)2020 11 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33148883

ABSTRACT

Hypoglycemia is a frequent complication of diabetes, limiting therapy and increasing morbidity and mortality. With recurrent hypoglycemia, the counterregulatory response (CRR) to decreased blood glucose is blunted, resulting in hypoglycemia-associated autonomic failure (HAAF). The mechanisms leading to these blunted effects are only poorly understood. Here, we report, with ISH, IHC, and the tissue-clearing capability of iDISCO+, that growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) neurons represent a unique population of arcuate nucleus neurons activated by glucose deprivation in vivo. Repeated glucose deprivation reduces GHRH neuron activation and remodels excitatory and inhibitory inputs to GHRH neurons. We show that low glucose sensing is coupled to GHRH neuron depolarization, decreased ATP production, and mitochondrial fusion. Repeated hypoglycemia attenuates these responses during low glucose. By maintaining mitochondrial length with the small molecule mitochondrial division inhibitor-1, we preserved hypoglycemia sensitivity in vitro and in vivo. Our findings present possible mechanisms for the blunting of the CRR, significantly broaden our understanding of the structure of GHRH neurons, and reveal that mitochondrial dynamics play an important role in HAAF. We conclude that interventions targeting mitochondrial fission in GHRH neurons may offer a new pathway to prevent HAAF in patients with diabetes.


Subject(s)
Autonomic Nervous System/pathology , Glucose/administration & dosage , Hypoglycemia/complications , Mitochondria/pathology , Neurons/pathology , Pure Autonomic Failure/pathology , Animals , Female , Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone/metabolism , Male , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Mitochondria/drug effects , Mitochondria/metabolism , Neurons/drug effects , Neurons/metabolism , Pure Autonomic Failure/etiology , Sweetening Agents/administration & dosage
15.
Sci Adv ; 6(41)2020 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33036983

ABSTRACT

Understanding the detailed anatomy of the endocrine pancreas, its innervation, and the remodeling that occurs in diabetes can provide new insights into metabolic disease. Using tissue clearing and whole-organ imaging, we identified the 3D associations between islets and innervation. This technique provided detailed quantification of α and ß cell volumes and pancreatic nerve fibers, their distribution and heterogeneity in healthy tissue, canonical mouse models of diabetes, and samples from normal and diabetic human pancreata. Innervation was highly enriched in the mouse endocrine pancreas, with regional differences. Islet nerve density was increased in nonobese diabetic mice, in mice treated with streptozotocin, and in pancreata of human donors with type 2 diabetes. Nerve contacts with ß cells were preserved in diabetic mice and humans. In summary, our whole-organ assessment allows comprehensive examination of islet characteristics and their innervation and reveals dynamic regulation of islet innervation in diabetes.


Subject(s)
Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 , Insulin-Secreting Cells , Islets of Langerhans , Animals , Insulin/metabolism , Islets of Langerhans/metabolism , Mice
16.
Front Pharmacol ; 9: 166, 2018.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29545750

ABSTRACT

The trace amine-associated receptor 1 (TAAR1) is expressed by dopaminergic neurons, but the precise influence of trace amines upon their functional activity remains to be fully characterized. Here, we examined the regulation of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) by tyramine and beta-phenylethylamine (ß-PEA) compared to 3-iodothyronamine (T1AM). Immunoblotting and amperometry were performed in dorsal striatal slices from wild-type (WT) and TAAR1 knockout (KO) mice. T1AM increased TH phosphorylation at both Ser19 and Ser40, actions that should promote functional activity of TH. Indeed, HPLC data revealed higher rates of L-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) accumulation in WT animals treated with T1AM after the administration of a DOPA decarboxylase inhibitor. These effects were abolished both in TAAR1 KO mice and by the TAAR1 antagonist, EPPTB. Further, they were specific inasmuch as Ser845 phosphorylation of the post-synaptic GluA1 AMPAR subunit was unaffected. The effects of T1AM on TH phosphorylation at both Ser19 (CamKII-targeted), and Ser40 (PKA-phosphorylated) were inhibited by KN-92 and H-89, inhibitors of CamKII and PKA respectively. Conversely, there was no effect of an EPAC analog, 8-CPT-2Me-cAMP, on TH phosphorylation. In line with these data, T1AM increased evoked striatal dopamine release in TAAR1 WT mice, an action blunted in TAAR1 KO mice and by EPPTB. Mass spectrometry imaging revealed no endogenous T1AM in the brain, but detected T1AM in several brain areas upon systemic administration in both WT and TAAR1 KO mice. In contrast to T1AM, tyramine decreased the phosphorylation of Ser40-TH, while increasing Ser845-GluA1 phosphorylation, actions that were not blocked in TAAR1 KO mice. Likewise, ß-PEA reduced Ser40-TH and tended to promote Ser845-GluA1 phosphorylation. The D1 receptor antagonist SCH23390 blocked tyramine-induced Ser845-GluA1 phosphorylation, but had no effect on tyramine- or ß-PEA-induced Ser40-TH phosphorylation. In conclusion, by intracellular cascades involving CaMKII and PKA, T1AM, but not tyramine and ß-PEA, acts via TAAR1 to promote the phosphorylation and functional activity of TH in the dorsal striatum, supporting a modulatory influence on dopamine transmission.

19.
Nat Neurosci ; 18(6): 826-35, 2015 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25915474

ABSTRACT

The role of developmental transcription factors in maintenance of neuronal properties and in disease remains poorly understood. Lmx1a and Lmx1b are key transcription factors required for the early specification of ventral midbrain dopamine (mDA) neurons. Here we show that conditional ablation of Lmx1a and Lmx1b after mDA neuron specification resulted in abnormalities that show striking resemblance to early cellular abnormalities seen in Parkinson's disease. We found that Lmx1b was required for the normal execution of the autophagic-lysosomal pathway and for the integrity of dopaminergic nerve terminals and long-term mDA neuronal survival. Notably, human LMX1B expression was decreased in mDA neurons in brain tissue affected by Parkinson's disease. Thus, these results reveal a sustained and essential requirement of Lmx1b for the function of midbrain mDA neurons and suggest that its dysfunction is associated with Parkinson's disease pathogenesis.


Subject(s)
Autophagy/genetics , Dopamine/metabolism , LIM-Homeodomain Proteins/metabolism , Lysosomes/metabolism , Parkinson Disease/physiopathology , Transcription Factors/metabolism , Animals , Behavior, Animal , Biogenic Monoamines/metabolism , Cell Survival/drug effects , Dopaminergic Neurons/physiology , Humans , LIM-Homeodomain Proteins/genetics , Mice , Mice, Knockout , Parkinson Disease/genetics , Parkinson Disease/psychology , Transcription Factors/genetics , Transcription Factors/physiology
20.
Biomark Insights ; 5: 29-32, 2010 Apr 27.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20467478

ABSTRACT

The fat mass and obesity associated (FTO) gene has an important genetic effect on body mass index (BMI) and risk of obesity, and obesity contributes to the progression of renal diseases, including diabetic nephropathy. We thus conducted a genetic association study to evaluate whether the FTO gene confers the risk susceptibility to the development of diabetic nephropathy. Genotyping experiments of the common FTO polymorphism, rs9939609, in 1170 type 1 diabetes patients with (n = 597) or without diabetic nephropathy (n = 573) were performed with TaqMan allelic discrimination. All subjects are of European descent and selected from the Genetics of Kidney Diseases in Diabetes (GoKinD) study. The frequency of T allele of this polymorphism was 0.414 in the studied population. There was no allelic association of this polymorphism with diabetic nephropathy. But, the risk susceptibility of A allele conferring to the increased BMI among type 1 diabetes patients was observed. The subjects carrying with AA genotype had higher BMI compared to the carriers with TA and/or TT genotype(s) (P

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