Leptin and insulin act on POMC neurons to promote the browning of white fat.

The primary task of white adipose tissue (WAT) is the storage of lipids. However, "beige" adipocytes also exist in WAT. Beige adipocytes burn fat and dissipate the energy as heat, but their abundance is diminished in obesity. Stimulating beige adipocyte development, or WAT browning, increases energy expenditure and holds potential for combating metabolic disease and obesity. Here, we report that insulin and leptin act together on hypothalamic neurons to promote WAT browning and weight loss. Deletion of the phosphatases PTP1B and TCPTP enhanced insulin and leptin signaling in proopiomelanocortin neurons and prevented diet-induced obesity by increasing WAT browning and energy expenditure. The coinfusion of insulin plus leptin into the CNS or the activation of proopiomelanocortin neurons also increased WAT browning and decreased adiposity. Our findings identify a homeostatic mechanism for coordinating the status of energy stores, as relayed by insulin and leptin, with the central control of WAT browning.

Thyroid hormone exerts negative feedback on hypothalamic type 4 melanocortin receptor expression.

The type 4 melanocortin receptor MC4R, a key relay in leptin signaling, links central energy control to peripheral reserve status. MC4R activation in different brain areas reduces food intake and increases energy expenditure. Mice lacking Mc4r are obese. Mc4r is expressed by hypothalamic paraventricular Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) neurons and increases energy usage through activation of Trh and production of the thyroid hormone tri-iodothyronine (T(3)). These facts led us to test the hypothesis that energy homeostasis should require negative feedback by T(3) on Mc4r expression. Quantitative PCR and in situ hybridization showed hyperthyroidism reduces Mc4r mRNA levels in the paraventricular nucleus. Comparative in silico analysis of Mc4r regulatory regions revealed two evolutionarily conserved potential negative thyroid hormone-response elements (nTREs). In vivo ChIP assays on mouse hypothalamus demonstrated association of thyroid hormone receptors (TRs) with a region spanning one nTRE. Further, in vivo gene reporter assays revealed dose-dependent T(3) repression of transcription from the Mc4r promoter in mouse hypothalamus, in parallel with T(3)-dependent Trh repression. Mutagenesis of the nTREs in the Mc4r promoter demonstrated direct regulation by T(3), consolidating the ChIP results. In vivo shRNA knockdown, TR over-expression approaches and use of mutant mice lacking specific TRs showed that both TRalpha and TRbeta contribute to Mc4r regulation. T(3) repression of Mc4r transcription ensures that the energy-saving effects of T(3) feedback on Trh are not overridden by MC4R activation of Trh. Thus parallel repression by T(3) on hypothalamic Mc4r and Trh contributes to energy homeostasis.

The obesogen hypothesis: a shift of focus from the periphery to the hypothalamus.

The obesogen concept proposes that environmental contaminants may be contributing to the epidemic of obesity and its related pathology, metabolic disorder. The first references to such a notion appeared at the beginning of the current decade, with the hypothesis that the correlation between increasing incidence of obesity and enhanced industrial chemical production was not simply coincidental, but potentially causally related. The next event was the introduction of the term "obesogen" as representing an environmental pollutant that adversely affects various aspects of adipose tissue functions. More recently, the concept was extended to include substances that may modify metabolic balance at the central, hypothalamic level. The actions of two prime candidate obesogens, tributyltin (TBT) and tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), acting at the central level are the main focus of this review. Having discussed the evidence for contaminant accumulation in the environment and in human tissues and the potential mechanisms of action, data are provided showing that these two widespread pollutants modify hypothalamic gene regulations. Our studies are based on maternal exposure and measurement of effects in the progeny, mainly based on in vivo gene reporter assays. Such models are obviously pertinent to testing current hypotheses that propose that early exposure might exert effects on later development and physiological functions. The potential molecular mechanisms involved are discussed, as are the broader physiological consequences of these hypothalamic dysregulations.

Reduced central and peripheral inflammatory responses and increased mitochondrial activity contribute to diet-induced obesity resistance in WSB/EiJ mice.

Energy imbalance due to excess of calories is considered to be a major player in the current worldwide obesity pandemic and could be accompanied by systemic and central inflammation and mitochondrial dysfunctions. This hypothesis was tested by comparing the wild-derived diet-induced obesity- (DIO-) resistant mouse strain WSB/EiJ to the obesity-prone C57BL/6J strain. We analysed circulating and hypothalamic markers of inflammatory status and hypothalamic mitochondrial activity in both strains exposed to high-fat diet (HFD). We further analysed the regulations of hypothalamic genes involved in inflammation and mitochondrial pathways by high throughput microfluidic qPCR on RNA extracted from laser micro-dissected arcuate (ARC) and paraventricular (PVN) hypothalamic nuclei. HFD induced increased body weight gain, circulating levels of leptin, cholesterol, HDL and LDL in C57BL/6J whereas WSB/EiJ mice displayed a lower inflammatory status, both peripherally (lower levels of circulating cytokines) and centrally (less activated microglia in the hypothalamus) as well as more reactive mitochondria in the hypothalamus. The gene expression data analysis allowed identifying strain-specific hypothalamic metabolic pathways involved in the respective responses to HFD. Our results point to the involvement of hypothalamic inflammatory and mitochondrial pathways as key factors in the control of energy homeostasis and the resistance to DIO.

In vivo siRNA delivery to the mouse hypothalamus shows a role of the co-chaperone XAP2 in regulating TRH transcription.

RNA interference mediated by small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) is a powerful tool for evaluating gene function in vivo. In particular it should be able to provide tissue-specific and developmental stage-specific knockdown of target genes in physiological contexts. However, there are few demonstrations of its use on neuronal specific genes in vivo. We recently developed a cationic lipid-based approach to study gene function in a neuronal context. In particular, we applied it to study how the novel partner for TRbeta1, hepatitis virus B X-associated protein 2 (XAP2), a protein first identified as a co-chaperone protein, affects T3-transcriptional repression of the hypothalamic gene, TRH. The cationic lipid-based technique used, JetSI/DOPE, was previously shown to efficiently knockdown reporter gene mRNA in vivo. Using JetSI/DOPE to vectorize siRNA against XAP2 mRNA, we show that XAP2 is needed specifically for TRbeta1-mediated (but not TRbeta2) activation of hypothalamic TRH transcription. Thus, this cationic lipid-based siRNA strategy can effectively be used to reveal fine, tissue-specific and isoform-specific effects on neuronal gene transcription in vivo.

TR alpha 2 exerts dominant negative effects on hypothalamic Trh transcription in vivo.

Mammalian thyroid hormone receptors (TRs) have multiple isoforms, including the bona fide receptors that bind T3 (TRα1, TRß1 and TRß2) and a non-hormone-binding variant, TRα2. Intriguingly, TRα2 is strongly expressed in the brain, where its mRNA levels exceed those of functional TRs. Ablation of TRα2 in mice results in over-expression of TRα1, and a complex phenotype with low levels of free T3 and T4, without elevated TSH levels, suggesting an alteration in the negative feedback at the hypothalamic-pituitary level. As the hypothesis of a potential TRH response defect has never been tested, we explored the functional role of TRα2 in negative feedback on transcription of hypothalamic thyrotropin, Trh. The in vivo transcriptional effects of TRα2 on hypothalamic Trh were analysed using an in vivo reporter gene approach. Effects on Trh-luc expression were examined to that of two, T3 positively regulated genes used as controls. Applying in vivo gene transfer showed that TRα2 over-expression in the mouse hypothαlamus abrogates T3-dependent repression of Trh and T3 activation of positively regulated promoters, blocking their physiological regulation. Surprisingly, loss of function studies carried out by introducing a shTRα2 construct in the hypothalamus also blocked physiological T3 dependent regulation. Thus, modulating hypothalamic TRα2 expression by either gain or loss of function abrogated T3 dependent regulation of Trh transcription, producing constant transcriptional levels insensitive to feedback. This loss of physiological regulation was reflected at the level of the endogenous Trh gene, were gain or loss of function held mRNA levels constant. These results reveal the as yet undescribed dominant negative role of TRα2 over TRα1 effect on hypothalamic Trh transcription.

Retinoic X receptor subtypes exert differential effects on the regulation of Trh transcription.

How Retinoid X receptors (RXR) and thyroid hormone receptors (TR) interact on negative TREs and whether RXR subtype specificity is determinant in such regulations is unknown. In a set of functional studies, we analyzed RXR subtype effects in T3-dependent repression of hypothalamic thyrotropin-releasing hormone (Trh). Two-hybrid screening of a hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus cDNA bank revealed specific, T3-dependent interaction of TRs with RXRß. In vivo chromatin immuno-precipitation showed recruitment of RXRs to the TRE-site 4 region of the Trh promoter in the absence of T3. In vivo overexpression of RXRα in the mouse hypothalamus heightened T3-independent Trh transcription, whereas RXRß overexpression abrogated this activity. Loss of function of RXRα and ß by shRNAs induced inverse regulations. Thus, RXRα and RXRß display specific roles in modulating T3-dependent regulation of Trh. These results provide insight into the actions of these different TR heterodimerization partners within the context of a negatively regulated gene.

Disruption of thyroid hormone-dependent hypothalamic set-points by environmental contaminants.

The hypothalamus integrates metabolic and endocrine signals. As such it represents a potential target for a wide spectrum of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). We investigated hypothalamic effects of two environmentally abundant xenobiotics, the flame-retardant tetrabromo bisphenol A (TBBPA) and the anti-fouling agent tributyltin (TBT). These EDCs affect endocrine signalling through different nuclear receptors including the thyroid hormone receptor (TR) or its partner, the retinoid X receptor (RXR). Promoter sequences of two hypothalamic genes implicated in metabolic control and regulated by thyroid hormone, thyrotropin-releasing hormone (Trh) and type 4 melanocortin receptor (Mc4r), were studied in vivo using reporter assays. Chronic exposure of gestating dams or acute exposure of their newborns to TBBPA abrogated activation of both Trh and Mc4r transcription. Exposure of lactating dams to TBT amplified activation of Trh without affecting Mc4r transcription. Thus, perinatal exposure to EDCs affecting nuclear receptor signalling modulates hypothalamic set-points controlling metabolic responses.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARgamma) modulates hypothalamic Trh regulation in vivo.

Thyroid hormone receptor (TR) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) co-regulate numerous peripheral metabolic responses. To examine potential crosstalk between PPARgamma and TRbeta in the hypothalamus, thyrotropin-releasing hormone (Trh) regulation in the newborn mouse hypothalamus was followed. QPCR showed PPARgamma to be expressed in the hypothalamus at this developmental stage. Intracerebral injection of PPARgamma agonists modified transcription from a TRH-luc construct introduced into the hypothalamus and increased serum thyroxine levels. Furthermore, shRNA-based in vivo PPARgamma knockdown amplified T(3)-independent transcription and PPARgamma overexpression dose-dependently abrogated T(3)-dependent Trh repression. Overexpression of retinoid X receptor-alpha (RXRalpha), the common heterodimeric partner of PPARgamma and TRbeta, rescued PPARgamma abrogation of T(3)-dependent repression. Thus, competition for RXR could represent one mechanism underlying this hypothalamic crosstalk between PPARgamma and TRbeta. These demonstrations of PPARgamma effects on hypothalamic Trh transcription in vivo consolidate the role of the TRH neuron as a central integrator of energy homeostasis.

The co-chaperone XAP2 is required for activation of hypothalamic thyrotropin-releasing hormone transcription in vivo.

Transcriptional control of hypothalamic thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) integrates central regulation of the hypothalamo-hypophyseal-thyroid axis and hence thyroid hormone (triiodothyronine (T(3))) homeostasis. The two beta thyroid hormone receptors, TRbeta1 and TRbeta2, contribute to T(3) feedback on TRH, with TRbeta1 having a more important role in the activation of TRH transcription. How TRbeta1 fulfils its role in activating TRH gene transcription is unknown. By using a yeast two-hybrid screening of a mouse hypothalamic complementary DNA library, we identified a novel partner for TRbeta1, hepatitis virus B X-associated protein 2 (XAP2), a protein first identified as a co-chaperone protein. TR-XAP2 interactions were TR isoform specific, being observed only with TRbeta1, and were enhanced by T(3) both in yeast and mammalian cells. Furthermore, small inhibitory RNA-mediated knockdown of XAP2 in vitro affected the stability of TRbeta1. In vivo, siXAP2 abrogated specifically TRbeta1-mediated (but not TRbeta2) activation of hypothalamic TRH transcription. This study provides the first in vivo demonstration of a regulatory, physiological role for XAP2.