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Berthoud HR, Münzberg H, Morrison CD, Neuhuber WL. Hepatic interoception in health and disease. Auton Neurosci 2024; 253:103174. [PMID: 38579493 PMCID: PMC11129274 DOI: 10.1016/j.autneu.2024.103174] [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: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024]
Abstract
The liver is a large organ with crucial functions in metabolism and immune defense, as well as blood homeostasis and detoxification, and it is clearly in bidirectional communication with the brain and rest of the body via both neural and humoral pathways. A host of neural sensory mechanisms have been proposed, but in contrast to the gut-brain axis, details for both the exact site and molecular signaling steps of their peripheral transduction mechanisms are generally lacking. Similarly, knowledge about function-specific sensory and motor components of both vagal and spinal access pathways to the hepatic parenchyma is missing. Lack of progress largely owes to controversies regarding selectivity of vagal access pathways and extent of hepatocyte innervation. In contrast, there is considerable evidence for glucose sensors in the wall of the hepatic portal vein and their importance for glucose handling by the liver and the brain and the systemic response to hypoglycemia. As liver diseases are on the rise globally, and there are intriguing associations between liver diseases and mental illnesses, it will be important to further dissect and identify both neural and humoral pathways that mediate hepatocyte-specific signals to relevant brain areas. The question of whether and how sensations from the liver contribute to interoceptive self-awareness has not yet been explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans-Rudolf Berthoud
- Neurobiology of Nutrition & Metabolism Department, Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.
| | - Heike Münzberg
- Neurobiology of Nutrition & Metabolism Department, Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Christopher D Morrison
- Neurobiology of Nutrition & Metabolism Department, Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Winfried L Neuhuber
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Friedrich-Alexander University, Erlangen, Germany.
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2
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Adori M, Bhat S, Gramignoli R, Valladolid-Acebes I, Bengtsson T, Uhlèn M, Adori C. Hepatic Innervations and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. Semin Liver Dis 2023; 43:149-162. [PMID: 37156523 PMCID: PMC10348844 DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-57237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disorder. Increased sympathetic (noradrenergic) nerve tone has a complex role in the etiopathomechanism of NAFLD, affecting the development/progression of steatosis, inflammation, fibrosis, and liver hemodynamical alterations. Also, lipid sensing by vagal afferent fibers is an important player in the development of hepatic steatosis. Moreover, disorganization and progressive degeneration of liver sympathetic nerves were recently described in human and experimental NAFLD. These structural alterations likely come along with impaired liver sympathetic nerve functionality and lack of adequate hepatic noradrenergic signaling. Here, we first overview the anatomy and physiology of liver nerves. Then, we discuss the nerve impairments in NAFLD and their pathophysiological consequences in hepatic metabolism, inflammation, fibrosis, and hemodynamics. We conclude that further studies considering the spatial-temporal dynamics of structural and functional changes in the hepatic nervous system may lead to more targeted pharmacotherapeutic advances in NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Adori
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sadam Bhat
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Roberto Gramignoli
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ismael Valladolid-Acebes
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, The Rolf Luft Research Center for Diabetes and Endocrinology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Tore Bengtsson
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute (MBW), Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mathias Uhlèn
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Science for Life Laboratory, Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Csaba Adori
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute (MBW), Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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3
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Rodríguez-Fdez S, Lorenzo-Martín LF, Fabbiano S, Menacho-Márquez M, Sauzeau V, Dosil M, Bustelo XR. New Functions of Vav Family Proteins in Cardiovascular Biology, Skeletal Muscle, and the Nervous System. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:biology10090857. [PMID: 34571735 PMCID: PMC8472352 DOI: 10.3390/biology10090857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Revised: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary In this review, we provide information on the role of Vav proteins, a group of signaling molecules that act as both Rho GTPase activators and adaptor molecules, in the cardiovascular system, skeletal muscle, and the nervous system. We also describe how these functions impact in other physiological and pathological processes such as sympathoregulation, blood pressure regulation, systemic metabolism, and metabolic syndrome. Abstract Vav proteins act as tyrosine phosphorylation-regulated guanosine nucleotide exchange factors for Rho GTPases and as molecular scaffolds. In mammals, this family of signaling proteins is composed of three members (Vav1, Vav2, Vav3) that work downstream of protein tyrosine kinases in a wide variety of cellular processes. Recent work with genetically modified mouse models has revealed that these proteins play key signaling roles in vascular smooth and skeletal muscle cells, specific neuronal subtypes, and glia cells. These functions, in turn, ensure the proper regulation of blood pressure levels, skeletal muscle mass, axonal wiring, and fiber myelination events as well as systemic metabolic balance. The study of these mice has also led to the discovery of new physiological interconnection among tissues that contribute to the ontogeny and progression of different pathologies such as, for example, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic syndrome. Here, we provide an integrated view of all these new Vav family-dependent signaling and physiological functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Rodríguez-Fdez
- Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Program, Centro de Investigación del Cáncer, CSIC-University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; (S.R.-F.); (L.F.L.-M.); (S.F.); (M.M.-M.); (V.S.); (M.D.)
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, CSIC-University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), CSIC-University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - L. Francisco Lorenzo-Martín
- Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Program, Centro de Investigación del Cáncer, CSIC-University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; (S.R.-F.); (L.F.L.-M.); (S.F.); (M.M.-M.); (V.S.); (M.D.)
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, CSIC-University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), CSIC-University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Salvatore Fabbiano
- Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Program, Centro de Investigación del Cáncer, CSIC-University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; (S.R.-F.); (L.F.L.-M.); (S.F.); (M.M.-M.); (V.S.); (M.D.)
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, CSIC-University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Mauricio Menacho-Márquez
- Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Program, Centro de Investigación del Cáncer, CSIC-University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; (S.R.-F.); (L.F.L.-M.); (S.F.); (M.M.-M.); (V.S.); (M.D.)
- Instituto de Inmunología Clínica y Experimental, CONICET, Rosario 3100, Argentina
| | - Vincent Sauzeau
- Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Program, Centro de Investigación del Cáncer, CSIC-University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; (S.R.-F.); (L.F.L.-M.); (S.F.); (M.M.-M.); (V.S.); (M.D.)
- Institut du Thorax, UMR1087 CNRS 6291, INSERM, Université de Nantes, 44096 Nantes, France
| | - Mercedes Dosil
- Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Program, Centro de Investigación del Cáncer, CSIC-University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; (S.R.-F.); (L.F.L.-M.); (S.F.); (M.M.-M.); (V.S.); (M.D.)
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, CSIC-University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), CSIC-University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Xosé R. Bustelo
- Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Program, Centro de Investigación del Cáncer, CSIC-University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; (S.R.-F.); (L.F.L.-M.); (S.F.); (M.M.-M.); (V.S.); (M.D.)
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, CSIC-University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), CSIC-University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-663-194-634
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Hofmann GC, Hasser EM, Kline DD. Unilateral vagotomy alters astrocyte and microglial morphology in the nucleus tractus solitarii of the rat. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2021; 320:R945-R959. [PMID: 33978480 PMCID: PMC8285617 DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00019.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Revised: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The nucleus tractus solitarii (nTS) is the initial site of integration of sensory information from the cardiorespiratory system and contributes to reflex responses to hypoxia. Afferent fibers of the bilateral vagus nerves carry input from the heart, lungs, and other organs to the nTS where it is processed and modulated. Vagal afferents and nTS neurons are integrally associated with astrocytes and microglia that contribute to neuronal activity and influence cardiorespiratory control. We hypothesized that vagotomy would alter glial morphology and cardiorespiratory responses to hypoxia. Unilateral vagotomy (or sham surgery) was performed in rats. Prior to and seven days after surgery, baseline and hypoxic cardiorespiratory responses were monitored in conscious and anesthetized animals. The brainstem was sectioned and caudal, mid-area postrema (mid-AP), and rostral sections of the nTS were prepared for immunohistochemistry. Vagotomy increased immunoreactivity (-IR) of astrocytic glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), specifically at mid-AP in the nTS. Similar results were found in the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (DMX). Vagotomy did not alter nTS astrocyte number, yet increased astrocyte branching and altered morphology. In addition, vagotomy both increased nTS microglia number and produced morphologic changes indicative of activation. Cardiorespiratory baseline parameters and hypoxic responses remained largely unchanged, but vagotomized animals displayed fewer augmented breaths (sighs) in response to hypoxia. Altogether, vagotomy alters nTS glial morphology, indicative of functional changes in astrocytes and microglia that may affect cardiorespiratory function in health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabrielle C Hofmann
- Comparative Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
- Area Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
- Dalton Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
| | - Eileen M Hasser
- Area Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
- Department of Medical Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
- Dalton Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
| | - David D Kline
- Area Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
- Dalton Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
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Wei R, Zhuge X, Yue P, Liu M, Zhu L, Liu J, Xia C. Effect of hepatic sympathetic nerve removal on energy metabolism in an animal model of cognitive impairment and its relationship to Glut2 expression. Open Life Sci 2021; 15:311-317. [PMID: 33817219 PMCID: PMC7874542 DOI: 10.1515/biol-2020-0033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2020] [Revised: 02/25/2020] [Accepted: 03/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The aims of this study were to investigate the effect of hepatic sympathetic nerve removal on glucose and lipid metabolism in rats with cognitive impairment and to evaluate the relationship between these effects and liver Glut2 expression. Hippocampal injection of Aβ1–42 was used to induce cognitive impairment. Impaired rats were divided into experimental, sham, and control groups. The experimental group was injected with 6-hydroxydopamine to remove the sympathetic nerve. At 4 weeks post injection, body weight, food and water intake, blood sugar, and blood lipids were measured, and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining was used to assess the liver glycogen content. Liver Glut2 mRNA and protein were also detected. The experimental group showed reduced body weight, food intake, and blood glucose levels and elevated insulin levels compared with the control group. PAS staining showed higher glycogen contents in the experimental group than in controls. The expression levels of Glut2 mRNA and protein in the experimental group were significantly lower than in the controls. Metabolism was significantly impacted in rats with cognitive impairment following removal of the hepatic sympathetic nerve. Disruption to Glut2 liver expression via sympathetic nerve disruption represents a possible underlying mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riming Wei
- College of Biotechnology, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi, 541004, China
| | - Xiuhong Zhuge
- Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi, 541004, China
| | - Pengpeng Yue
- College of Biotechnology, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi, 541004, China
| | - Manjun Liu
- Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi, 541004, China
| | - Lin Zhu
- Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi, 541004, China
| | - Jianxiang Liu
- College of Biotechnology, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi, 541004, China
| | - Chunbo Xia
- Department of Human Anatomy of Basic Medical College, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi, 541004, China
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Siqueira BS, Ceglarek VM, Gomes ECZ, Vettorazzi JF, Rentz T, Nenevê JZ, Volinski KZ, Moraes SS, Malta A, de Freitas Mathias PC, de Oliveira Emilio HR, Balbo SL, Grassiolli S. Vagotomy and Splenectomy Reduce Insulin Secretion and Interleukin-1β. Pancreas 2021; 50:607-616. [PMID: 33939676 DOI: 10.1097/mpa.0000000000001809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study aimed to evaluate the effect of vagotomy, when associated with splenectomy, on adiposity and glucose homeostasis in Wistar rats. METHODS Rats were divided into 4 groups: vagotomized (VAG), splenectomized (SPL), VAG + SPL, and SHAM. Glucose tolerance tests were performed, and physical and biochemical parameters evaluated. Glucose-induced insulin secretion and protein expression (Glut2/glucokinase) were measured in isolated pancreatic islets. Pancreases were submitted to histological and immunohistochemical analyses, and vagus nerve neural activity was recorded. RESULTS The vagotomized group presented with reduced body weight, growth, and adiposity; high food intake; reduced plasma glucose and triglyceride levels; and insulin resistance. The association of SPL with the VAG surgery attenuated, or abolished, the effects of VAG and reduced glucose-induced insulin secretion and interleukin-1β area in β cells, in addition to lowering vagal activity. CONCLUSIONS The absence of the spleen attenuated or blocked the effects of VAG on adiposity, triglycerides and glucose homeostasis, suggesting a synergistic effect of both on metabolism. The vagus nerve and spleen modulate the presence of interleukin-1β in β cells, possibly because of the reduction of glucose-induced insulin secretion, indicating a bidirectional flow between autonomous neural firing and the spleen, with repercussions for the endocrine pancreas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruna Schumaker Siqueira
- From the Laboratory of Endocrine Physiology and Metabolism (LAFEM), Western Paraná State University (UNIOESTE)
| | - Vanessa Marieli Ceglarek
- From the Laboratory of Endocrine Physiology and Metabolism (LAFEM), Western Paraná State University (UNIOESTE)
| | | | | | - Thiago Rentz
- Obesity and Comorbidities Research Center, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas
| | - Juliane Zanon Nenevê
- From the Laboratory of Endocrine Physiology and Metabolism (LAFEM), Western Paraná State University (UNIOESTE)
| | - Karoline Zanella Volinski
- From the Laboratory of Endocrine Physiology and Metabolism (LAFEM), Western Paraná State University (UNIOESTE)
| | - Sandra Schmidt Moraes
- From the Laboratory of Endocrine Physiology and Metabolism (LAFEM), Western Paraná State University (UNIOESTE)
| | - Ananda Malta
- Laboratory of Secretion Cell Biology, Department of Biotechnology, Genetics and Cell Biology, State University of Maringá (UEM), Maringá
| | - Paulo Cezar de Freitas Mathias
- Laboratory of Secretion Cell Biology, Department of Biotechnology, Genetics and Cell Biology, State University of Maringá (UEM), Maringá
| | | | - Sandra Lucinei Balbo
- From the Laboratory of Endocrine Physiology and Metabolism (LAFEM), Western Paraná State University (UNIOESTE)
| | - Sabrina Grassiolli
- From the Laboratory of Endocrine Physiology and Metabolism (LAFEM), Western Paraná State University (UNIOESTE)
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The Vav GEF Family: An Evolutionary and Functional Perspective. Cells 2019; 8:cells8050465. [PMID: 31100928 PMCID: PMC6562523 DOI: 10.3390/cells8050465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2019] [Revised: 05/10/2019] [Accepted: 05/15/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Vav proteins play roles as guanosine nucleotide exchange factors for Rho GTPases and signaling adaptors downstream of protein tyrosine kinases. The recent sequencing of the genomes of many species has revealed that this protein family originated in choanozoans, a group of unicellular organisms from which animal metazoans are believed to have originated from. Since then, the Vav family underwent expansions and reductions in its members during the evolutionary transitions that originated the agnates, chondrichthyes, some teleost fish, and some neoaves. Exotic members of the family harboring atypical structural domains can be also found in some invertebrate species. In this review, we will provide a phylogenetic perspective of the evolution of the Vav family. We will also pay attention to the structure, signaling properties, regulatory layers, and functions of Vav proteins in both invertebrate and vertebrate species.
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