Expression of leptin receptor by glial cells of the nucleus tractus solitarius: possible involvement in energy homeostasis

Constitutively active microglial populations limit anorexia induced by the food contaminant deoxynivalenol

Microglia are involved in neuroinflammatory processes during diverse pathophysiological conditions. To date, the possible contribution of these cells to deoxynivalenol (DON)-induced brain inflammation and anorexia has not yet been evaluated. DON, one of the most abundant trichothecenes found in cereals, has been implicated in mycotoxicosis in both humans and farm animals. DON-induced toxicity is characterized by reduced food intake, weight gain, and immunological effects. We previously showed that exposure to DON induces an inflammatory response within the hypothalamus and dorsal vagal complex (DVC) which contributes to DON-induced anorexia. Here, in response to anorectic DON doses, we reported microglial activation within two circumventricular organs (CVOs), the area postrema (AP) and median eminence (ME) located in the DVC and the hypothalamus, respectively. Interestingly, this microglial activation was observed while DON-induced anorexia was ongoing (i.e., 3 and 6 h after DON administration). Next, we took advantage of pharmacological microglia deletion using PLX3397, a colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF1R)-inhibitor. Surprisingly, microglia-depleted mice exhibited an increased sensitivity to DON since non-anorectic DON doses reduced food intake in PLX3397-treated mice. Moreover, low DON doses induced c-Fos expression within feeding behavior-associated structures in PLX3397-treated mice but not in control mice. In parallel, we have highlighted heterogeneity in the phenotype of microglial cells present in and around the AP and ME of control animals. In these areas, microglial subpopulations expressed IBA1, TMEM119, CD11b and CD68 to varying degrees. In addition, a CD68 positive subpopulation showed, under resting conditions, a noticeable phagocytotic/endocytotic activity. We observed that DON strongly reduced CD68 in the hypothalamus and DVC. Finally, inactivation of constitutively active microglia by intraperitoneal administration of minocycline resulted in anorexia with a DON dose ineffective in control mice. Taken together, these results strongly suggest that various populations of microglial cells residing in and around the CVOs are maintained in a functionally active state even under physiological conditions. We propose that these microglial cell populations are attempting to protect the brain parenchyma from hazardous molecules coming from the blood. This study could contribute to a better understanding of how microglia respond to environmental contaminants.

Leptin in the Commissural Nucleus of the Tractus Solitarius (cNTS) and Anoxic Stimulus in the Carotid Body Chemoreceptors Increases cNTS Leptin Signaling Receptor and Brain Glucose Retention in Rats

Background and Objectives: The commissural nucleus of the tractus solitarius (cNTS) not only responds to glucose levels directly, but also receives afferent signals from the liver, and from the carotid chemoreceptors (CChR). In addition, leptin, through its receptors in the cNTS, regulates food intake, body weight, blood glucose levels, and brain glucose retention (BGR). These leptin effects on cNTS are thought to be mediated through the sympathetic–adrenal system. How these different sources of information converging in the NTS regulate blood glucose levels and brain glucose retention remains largely unknown. The goal of the present study was to determine whether the local administration of leptin in cNTS alone, or after local anoxic stimulation using sodium cyanide (NaCN) in the carotid sinus, modifies the expression of leptin Ob-Rb and of c-Fos mRNA. We also investigated how leptin, alone, or in combination with carotid sinus stimulation, affected brain glucose retention. Materials and Methods: The experiments were carried out in anesthetized male Wistar rats artificially ventilated to maintain homeostatic values for pO₂, pCO₂, and pH. We had four groups: (a) experimental 1, leptin infusion in cNTS and NaCN in the isolated carotid sinus (ICS; n = 10); (b) experimental 2, leptin infusion in cNTS and saline in the ICS (n = 10); (c) control 1, artificial cerebrospinal fluid (aCSF) in cNTS and NaCN in the ICS (n = 10); (d) control 2, aCSF in cNTS and saline in the ICS (n = 10). Results: Leptin in cNTS, preceded by NaCN in the ICS increased BGR and leptin Ob-Rb mRNA receptor expression, with no significant increases in c-Fos mRNA in the NTSc. Conclusions: Leptin in the cNTS enhances brain glucose retention induced by an anoxic stimulus in the carotid chemoreceptors, through an increase in Ob-Rb receptors, without persistent changes in neuronal activation.

Glial Modulation of Energy Balance: The Dorsal Vagal Complex Is No Exception

The avoidance of being overweight or obese is a daily challenge for a growing number of people. The growing proportion of people suffering from a nutritional imbalance in many parts of the world exemplifies this challenge and emphasizes the need for a better understanding of the mechanisms that regulate nutritional balance. Until recently, research on the central regulation of food intake primarily focused on neuronal signaling, with little attention paid to the role of glial cells. Over the last few decades, our understanding of glial cells has changed dramatically. These cells are increasingly regarded as important neuronal partners, contributing not just to cerebral homeostasis, but also to cerebral signaling. Our understanding of the central regulation of energy balance is part of this (r)evolution. Evidence is accumulating that glial cells play a dynamic role in the modulation of energy balance. In the present review, we summarize recent data indicating that the multifaceted glial compartment of the brainstem dorsal vagal complex (DVC) should be considered in research aimed at identifying feeding-related processes operating at this level.

Blockade of Glial Connexin 43 Hemichannels Reduces Food Intake

The metabolic syndrome, which comprises obesity and diabetes, is a major public health problem and the awareness of energy homeostasis control remains an important worldwide issue. The energy balance is finely regulated by the central nervous system (CNS), notably through neuronal networks, located in the hypothalamus and the dorsal vagal complex (DVC), which integrate nutritional, humoral and nervous information from the periphery. The glial cells’ contribution to these processes emerged few year ago. However, its underlying mechanism remains unclear. Glial connexin 43 hemichannels (Cx43 HCs) enable direct exchange with the extracellular space and can regulate neuronal network activity. In the present study, we sought to determine the possible involvement of glial Cx43 HCs in energy balance regulation. We here show that Cx43 is strongly expressed in the hypothalamus and DVC and is associated with glial cells. Remarkably, we observed a close apposition of Cx43 with synaptic elements in both the hypothalamus and DVC. Moreover, the expression of hypothalamic Cx43 mRNA and protein is modulated in response to fasting and diet-induced obesity. Functionally, we found that Cx43 HCs are largely open in the arcuate nucleus (ARC) from acute mice hypothalamic slices under basal condition, and significantly inhibited by TAT-GAP19, a mimetic peptide that specifically blocks Cx43 HCs activity. Moreover, intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) TAT-GAP19 injection strongly decreased food intake, without further alteration of glycaemia, energy expenditures or locomotor activity. Using the immediate early gene c-Fos expression, we found that i.c.v. TAT-GAP19 injection induced neuronal activation in hypothalamic and brainstem nuclei dedicated to food intake regulation. Altogether, these results suggest a tonic delivery of orexigenic molecules associated with glial Cx43 HCs activity and a possible modulation of this tonus during fasting and obesity.

Leptin Sensitizes NTS Neurons to Vagal Input by Increasing Postsynaptic NMDA Receptor Currents

Leptin signaling within the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) contributes to the control of food intake, and injections of leptin into the NTS reduce meal size and increase the efficacy of vagus-mediated satiation signals. Leptin receptors (LepRs) are expressed by vagal afferents as well as by a population of NTS neurons. However, the electrophysiological properties of LepR-expressing NTS neurons have not been well characterized, and it is unclear how leptin might act on these neurons to reduce food intake. To address this question, we recorded from LepR-expressing neurons in horizontal brain slices containing the NTS from male and female LepR-Cre X Rosa-tdTomato mice. We found that the vast majority of NTS LepR neurons received monosynaptic innervation from vagal afferent fibers and LepR neurons exhibited large synaptic NMDA receptor (NMDAR)-mediated currents compared with non-LepR neurons. During high-frequency stimulation of vagal afferents, leptin increased the size of NMDAR-mediated currents, but not AMPAR-mediated currents. Leptin also increased the size of evoked EPSPs and the ability of low-intensity solitary tract stimulation to evoke action potentials in LepR neurons. These effects of leptin were blocked by bath applying a competitive NMDAR antagonist (DCPP-ene) or by an NMDAR channel blocker applied through the recording pipette (MK-801). Last, feeding studies using male rats demonstrate that intra-NTS injections of DCPP-ene attenuate reduction of overnight food intake following intra-NTS leptin injection. Our results suggest that leptin acts in the NTS to reduce food intake by increasing NMDAR-mediated currents, thus enhancing NTS sensitivity to vagal inputs.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Leptin is a hormone that critically impacts food intake and energy homeostasis. The nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) is activated by vagal afferents from the gastrointestinal tract, which promotes termination of a meal. Injection of leptin into the NTS inhibits food intake, while knockdown of leptin receptors (LepRs) in NTS neurons increases food intake. However, little was known about how leptin acts in the NTS neurons to inhibit food intake. We found that leptin increases the sensitivity of LepR-expressing neurons to vagal inputs by increasing NMDA receptor-mediated synaptic currents and that NTS NMDAR activation contributes to leptin-induced reduction of food intake. These findings suggest a novel mechanism by which leptin, acting in the NTS, could potentiate gastrointestinal satiation signals.

Peripheral-to-central immune communication at the area postrema glial-barrier following bleomycin-induced sterile lung injury in adult rats

The pathways for peripheral-to-central immune communication (P → C I-comm) following sterile lung injury (SLI) are unknown. SLI evokes systemic and central inflammation, which alters central respiratory control and viscerosensory transmission in the nucleus tractus solitarii (nTS). These functional changes coincide with increased interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) in the area postrema, a sensory circumventricular organ that connects P → C I-comm to brainstem circuits that control homeostasis. We hypothesize that IL-1β and its downstream transcriptional target, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), mediate P → C I-comm in the nTS. In a rodent model of SLI induced by intratracheal bleomycin (Bleo), the sigh frequency and duration of post-sigh apnea increased in Bleo- compared to saline- treated rats one week after injury. This SLI-dependent change in respiratory control occurred concurrently with augmented IL-1β and COX-2 immunoreactivity (IR) in the funiculus separans (FS), a barrier between the AP and the brainstem. At this barrier, increases in IL-1β and COX-2 IR were confined to processes that stained for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and that projected basolaterally to the nTS. Further, FS radial-glia did not express TNF-α or IL-6 following SLI. To test our hypothesis, we blocked central COX-1/2 activity by intracerebroventricular (ICV) infusion of Indomethacin (Ind). Continuous ICV Ind treatment prevented Bleo-dependent increases in GFAP + and IL-1β + IR, and restored characteristics of sighs that reset the rhythm. These data indicate that changes in sighs following SLI depend partially on activation of a central COX-dependent P → C I-comm via radial-glia of the FS.

Dorsal vagal complex and hypothalamic glia differentially respond to leptin and energy balance dysregulation

Previous studies identify a role for hypothalamic glia in energy balance regulation; however, a narrow hypothalamic focus provides an incomplete understanding of how glia throughout the brain respond to and regulate energy homeostasis. We examined the responses of glia in the dorsal vagal complex (DVC) to the adipokine leptin and high fat diet-induced obesity. DVC astrocytes functionally express the leptin receptor; in vivo pharmacological studies suggest that DVC astrocytes partly mediate the anorectic effects of leptin in lean but not diet-induced obese rats. Ex vivo calcium imaging indicated that these changes were related to a lower proportion of leptin-responsive cells in the DVC of obese versus lean animals. Finally, we investigated DVC microglia and astroglia responses to leptin and energy balance dysregulation in vivo: obesity decreased DVC astrogliosis, whereas the absence of leptin signaling in Zucker rats was associated with extensive astrogliosis in the DVC and decreased hypothalamic micro- and astrogliosis. These data uncover a novel functional heterogeneity of astrocytes in different brain nuclei of relevance to leptin signaling and energy balance regulation.

Physiology of Astroglia

Astrocytes are principal cells responsible for maintaining the brain homeostasis. Additionally, these glial cells are also involved in homocellular (astrocyte-astrocyte) and heterocellular (astrocyte-other cell types) signalling and metabolism. These astroglial functions require an expression of the assortment of molecules, be that transporters or pumps, to maintain ion concentration gradients across the plasmalemma and the membrane of the endoplasmic reticulum. Astrocytes sense and balance their neurochemical environment via variety of transmitter receptors and transporters. As they are electrically non-excitable, astrocytes display intracellular calcium and sodium fluctuations, which are not only used for operative signalling but can also affect metabolism. In this chapter we discuss the molecules that achieve ionic gradients and underlie astrocyte signalling.

Physiology of Astroglia

Astrocytes are neural cells of ectodermal, neuroepithelial origin that provide for homeostasis and defense of the central nervous system (CNS). Astrocytes are highly heterogeneous in morphological appearance; they express a multitude of receptors, channels, and membrane transporters. This complement underlies their remarkable adaptive plasticity that defines the functional maintenance of the CNS in development and aging. Astrocytes are tightly integrated into neural networks and act within the context of neural tissue; astrocytes control homeostasis of the CNS at all levels of organization from molecular to the whole organ.

Physiology of Astroglia

Astrocytes are neural cells of ectodermal, neuroepithelial origin that provide for homeostasis and defense of the central nervous system (CNS). Astrocytes are highly heterogeneous in morphological appearance; they express a multitude of receptors, channels, and membrane transporters. This complement underlies their remarkable adaptive plasticity that defines the functional maintenance of the CNS in development and aging. Astrocytes are tightly integrated into neural networks and act within the context of neural tissue; astrocytes control homeostasis of the CNS at all levels of organization from molecular to the whole organ.

Glial Endozepines Inhibit Feeding-Related Autonomic Functions by Acting at the Brainstem Level

Endozepines are endogenous ligands for the benzodiazepine receptors and also target a still unidentified GPCR. The endozepine octadecaneuropeptide (ODN), an endoproteolytic processing product of the diazepam-binding inhibitor (DBI) was recently shown to be involved in food intake control as an anorexigenic factor through ODN-GPCR signaling and mobilization of the melanocortinergic signaling pathway. Within the hypothalamus, the DBI gene is mainly expressed by non-neuronal cells such as ependymocytes, tanycytes, and protoplasmic astrocytes, at levels depending on the nutritional status. Administration of ODN C-terminal octapeptide (OP) in the arcuate nucleus strongly reduces food intake. Up to now, the relevance of extrahypothalamic targets for endozepine signaling-mediated anorexia has been largely ignored. We focused our study on the dorsal vagal complex located in the caudal brainstem. This structure is strongly involved in the homeostatic control of food intake and comprises structural similarities with the hypothalamus. In particular, a circumventricular organ, the area postrema (AP) and a tanycyte-like cells forming barrier between the AP and the adjacent nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) are present. We show here that DBI is highly expressed by ependymocytes lining the fourth ventricle, tanycytes-like cells, as well as by proteoplasmic astrocytes located in the vicinity of AP/NTS interface. ODN staining observed at the electron microscopic level reveals that ODN-expressing tanycyte-like cells and protoplasmic astrocytes are sometimes found in close apposition to neuronal elements such as dendritic profiles or axon terminals. Intracerebroventricular injection of ODN or OP in the fourth ventricle triggers c-Fos activation in the dorsal vagal complex and strongly reduces food intake. We also show that, similarly to leptin, ODN inhibits the swallowing reflex when microinjected into the swallowing pattern generator located in the NTS. In conclusion, we hypothesized that ODN expressing cells located at the AP/NTS interface could release ODN and modify excitability of NTS neurocircuitries involved in food intake control.

ENaC γ-expressing astrocytes in the circumventricular organs, white matter, and ventral medullary surface: sites for Na+ regulation by glial cells

Using a double immunofluorescence procedure, we report the discovery of a novel group of fibrous astrocytes that co-express epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) γ-subunit protein along with glial acidic fibrillary protein (GFAP). These cells are concentrated along the borders of the sensory circumventricular organs (CVOs), embedded in the white matter (e.g., optic nerve/chiasm, anterior commissure, corpus callosum, pyramidal tract) and are components of the pia mater. In the CVOs, a compact collection of ENaC γ-immunoreactive glial fibers form the lamina terminalis immediately rostral to the organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis (OVLT). Astrocyte processes can be traced into the median preoptic nucleus - a region implicated in regulation of sodium homeostasis. In the subfornical organ (SFO), ENaC γ-GFAP astrocytes lie in its lateral border, but not in the ventromedial core. In the area postrema (AP), a dense ENaC γ-GFAP glial fibers form the interface between the AP and nucleus tractus solitarius; this area is termed the subpostremal region. Antibodies against the ENaC α- or β-subunit proteins do not immunostain these regions. In contrast, the antibodies against the ENaC γ-subunit protein react weakly with neuronal cell bodies in the CVOs. Besides affecting glial-neural functions in the CVOs, the astrocytes found in the white matter may affect saltatory nerve conduction, serving as a sodium buffer. The ENaC γ-expressing astrocytes of the ventral medulla send processes into the raphe pallidus which intermingle with the serotoninergic (5-HT) neurons found in this region as well as with the other nearby 5-HT neurons distributed along ventral medullary surface.

Astroglial CB1 cannabinoid receptors regulate leptin signaling in mouse brain astrocytes

Type-1 cannabinoid (CB1) and leptin (ObR) receptors regulate metabolic and astroglial functions, but the potential links between the two systems in astrocytes were not investigated so far. Genetic and pharmacological manipulations of CB1 receptor expression and activity in cultured cortical and hypothalamic astrocytes demonstrated that cannabinoid signaling controls the levels of ObR expression. Lack of CB1 receptors also markedly impaired leptin-mediated activation of signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 and 5 (STAT3 and STAT5) in astrocytes. In particular, CB1 deletion determined a basal overactivation of STAT5, thereby leading to the downregulation of ObR expression, and leptin failed to regulate STAT5-dependent glycogen storage in the absence of CB1 receptors. These results show that CB1 receptors directly interfere with leptin signaling and its ability to regulate glycogen storage, thereby representing a novel mechanism linking endocannabinoid and leptin signaling in the regulation of brain energy storage and neuronal functions.

Leptin action on nonneuronal cells in the CNS: potential clinical applications

Leptin, an adipocyte-derived cytokine, crosses the blood–brain barrier to act on many regions of the central nervous system (CNS). It participates in the regulation of energy balance, inflammatory processes, immune regulation, synaptic formation, memory condensation, and neurotrophic activities. This review focuses on the newly identified actions of leptin on astrocytes. We first summarize the distribution of leptin receptors in the brain, with a focus on the hypothalamus, where the leptin receptor is known to mediate essential feeding suppression activities, and on the hippocampus, where leptin facilitates memory, reduces neurodegeneration, and plays a dual role in seizures. We will then discuss regulation of the nonneuronal leptin system in obesity. Its relationship with neuronal leptin signaling is illustrated by in vitro assays in primary astrocyte culture and by in vivo studies on mice after pretreatment with a glial metabolic inhibitor or after cell-specific deletion of intracellular signaling leptin receptors. Overall, the glial leptin system shows robust regulation and plays an essential role in obesity. Strategies to manipulate this nonneuronal leptin signaling may have major clinical impact.

Effects of aging and caloric restriction on brainstem satiety center signals in rats

Age-related increases of body weight and adiposity, indicating dysregulation of food intake/energy expenditure, can be prevented in rodents by long-term 40% caloric restriction. The dorsal vagal complex (DVC), the brainstem center mediating the satiety reflex, has recently emerged as a determinant effector of long-term feeding adaptation. To study the effects of aging and caloric restriction on satiety circuits, leptin and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signaling systems were studied in 2- and 19-month-old ad libitum-fed (AL) and 19-month-old calorie-restricted (CR) rats. Age-induced hyperleptinemia in AL rats was correlated with elevated DVC BDNF immunoreactive concentrations and satiety threshold stability, suggesting functional desensitization of the DVC to these signals. To better understand this phenomenon, mRNA levels of receptor and post-receptor signaling effectors were measured by real-time RT-PCR. Aging selectively increased BDNF receptors and suppressor of cytokine signaling-3 (SOCS-3) mRNA levels. Caloric restriction prevented age-related increases of serum leptin, DVC BDNF and SOCS-3 mRNA levels, but not those of BDNF receptors. In CR rats, prevention of leptin resistance-promoting SOCS-3 induction was also observed at the protein level. This study suggests that leptin post-receptor targets and BDNF signaling play a role in the establishment of age-related DVC dysfunction.

Role of astrocytic leptin receptor subtypes on leptin permeation across hCMEC/D3 human brain endothelial cells

Astrocytic leptin receptors (ObR) can be up-regulated in conditions such as adult-onset obesity. To determine whether the levels and subtypes of astrocytic ObR modulate leptin transport, we co-cultured hCMEC/D3 human brain endothelial cells and C6 astrocytoma cells in the Transwell system, and tested leptin permeation from apical to basolateral chambers. In comparison with hCMEC alone, co-culture of C6 cells reduced the permeability of paracellular markers and leptin. Unexpectedly, ObRb over-expression in C6 cells increased leptin permeation whereas ObRa over-expression showed no effect when compared with the control group of pcDNA-transfected C6 cells. By contrast, the paracellular permeability to the sodium fluorescein control was unchanged by over-expression of ObR subtypes. Leptin remained intact after crossing the monolayer as shown by HPLC and acid precipitation, and this was not affected by C6 cell co-culture or the over-expression of different ObR subtypes. Thus, increased expression of ObRb (and to a lesser extent ObRe) in C6 cells specifically increased the permeation of leptin across the hCMEC monolayer. Consistent with the evidence that the most apparent regulatory changes of ObR during obesity and inflammation occur in astrocytes, the results indicate that astrocytes actively regulate leptin transport across the blood-brain barrier, a mechanism independent of reduction of paracellular permeability.

Receptors for leptin in the otic labyrinth and the cochlear-vestibular nerve of guinea pig are modified in hormone-induced anorexia

Metabolic syndromic inner ear pathology is a recognized condition in clinical practice but the possible causes remain controversial. We have previously reported that chronically-implanted estrogen implants in guinea pig results in hyperprolactinemia and hearing loss together with otic bone dysmorphology. The animals also present with anorexia. The hormone leptin has major roles in the regulation of satiety as well as bone metabolism and so we hypothesized that leptin might contribute to pathology of the otic labyrinth. We employed immunohistochemistry to investigate leptin receptor (ObR) expression. In control animals, ObR immunolabeling was not detected in the bone of the otic capsule but immunolabeling was observed in the cochlear-vestibular nerve. The labeling was associated with the astrocytic glial dome area, which marks the transition between central and peripheral parts of the nerve. In estrogen-treated animals, positive-ObR immunolabeling was observed in osteoblasts in new bone of the otic capsule and the ObR labeling was reduced in the cochlear-vestibular nerve compared to controls. The data provide evidence that leptin may target the labyrinth - affecting the bone and the nerve - and so could contribute to ongoing protection of the inner ear. Leptin disturbance might contribute to metabolic syndromes involving the audiovestibular system.

Glial cells of the nucleus tractus solitarius as partners of the dorsal hindbrain regulation of energy balance: a proposal for a working hypothesis

While the evidences emphasizing the role of astroglial cells in numerous aspects of information processing within the brain merges, the literature dealing with the involvement of this cell population in the signalization involved in feeding behavior and energetic homeostasis remains scarce. Nevertheless, some clues are now available indicating that glia could play a dynamic role in the regulation of energy balance, and that strengthening research effort in this field may further our understanding of the mechanisms controlling feeding behaviour. In the present review, we have summarized recent data indicating that the multifaceted glial compartment of the brainstem should be considered in future research aimed at identifying feeding-related processes operating at this level.

Endogenous leptin signaling in the caudal nucleus tractus solitarius and area postrema is required for energy balance regulation

Medial nucleus tractus solitarius (mNTS) neurons express leptin receptors (LepRs), and intra-mNTS delivery of leptin reduces food intake and body weight. Here, the contribution of endogenous LepR signaling in mNTS neurons to energy balance control was examined. Knockdown of LepR in mNTS and area postrema (AP) neurons of rats (LepRKD) via adeno-associated virus short hairpin RNA-interference (AAV-shRNAi) resulted in significant hyperphagia for chow, high-fat, and sucrose diets, yielding increased body weight and adiposity. The chronic hyperphagia of mNTS/AP LepRKD rats is likely mediated by a reduction in leptin potentiation of gastrointestinal satiation signaling, as LepRKD rats showed decreased sensitivity to the intake-reducing effects of cholecystokinin. LepRKD rats showed increased basal AMP-kinase activity in mNTS/AP micropunches, and pharmacological data suggest that this increase provides a likely mechanism for their chronic hyperphagia. Overall these findings demonstrate that LepRs in mNTS and AP neurons are required for normal energy balance control.

Leptin receptor mRNA in rat brain astrocytes

We recently reported that mouse astrocytes express leptin receptors (ObR), and that obesity induces upregulation of astrocytic ObR. To provide further evidence of the importance of astrocytic ObR expression, we performed double-labeling fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) and immunohistochemistry in the rat hypothalamus. Laser confocal microscopic image analysis showed that ObR mRNA was present in glial fibrillary acidic protein (+) cells that show distinctive astrocytic morphology as well as in neurons. In addition to the presence of ObR mRNA, ObR protein was shown in both astrocytes and neurons in the rat hypothalamus by double-labeling immunohistochemistry. In cultured rat C6 astrocytoma cells treated with different doses of lipopolysaccharide for 6h, the mRNA for ObRa or ObRb did not show significant changes, as measured by quantitative RT-PCR. However, the protein expression of both ObRa and ObRb, determined by Western blotting, was increased after the C6 cells were treated with either lipopolysaccharide or tumor necrosis factor-alpha. The results indicate that astrocytic ObR expression is present in rats as well as mice, and that it probably plays a role in the neuroinflammatory response.

Obesity induces functional astrocytic leptin receptors in hypothalamus

The possible role of astrocytes in the regulation of feeding has been overlooked. It is well-established that the endothelial cells constituting the blood-brain barrier transport leptin from blood to brain and that hypothalamic neurons respond to leptin to induce anorexic signaling. However, few studies have addressed the role of astrocytes in either leptin transport or cellular activation. We recently showed that the obese agouti viable yellow mouse has prominent astrocytic expression of the leptin receptor. In this study, we test the hypothesis that diet-induced obesity increases astrocytic leptin receptor expression and function in the hypothalamus. Double-labelling immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopic analysis showed that all astrocytes in the hypothalamus express leptin receptors. In adult obese mice, 2 months after being placed on a high-fat diet, there was a striking increase of leptin receptor (+) astrocytes, most prominent in the dorsomedial hypothalamus and arcuate nucleus. Agouti viable yellow mice with their adult-onset obesity showed similar changes, but the increase of leptin receptor (+) astrocytes was barely seen in ob/ob or db/db mice with their early-onset obesity and defective leptin systems. The marked leptin receptor protein expression in the astrocytes, shown with several antibodies against different receptor epitopes, was supported by RT-PCR detection of leptin receptor-a and -b mRNAs in primary hypothalamic astrocytes. Unexpectedly, the protein expression of GFAP, a marker of astrocytes, was also increased in adult-onset obesity. Real-time confocal imaging showed that leptin caused a robust increase of calcium signalling in primary astrocytes from the hypothalamus, confirming their functionality. The results indicate that metabolic changes in obese mice can rapidly alter leptin receptor expression and astrocytic activity, and that leptin receptor is responsible for leptin-induced calcium signalling in astrocytes. This novel and clinically relevant finding opens new avenues in astrocyte biology.