2024
Hypothalamic hormone deficiency enables physiological anorexia in ground squirrels during hibernation
Mohr S, Dai Pra R, Platt M, Feketa V, Shanabrough M, Varela L, Kristant A, Cao H, Merriman D, Horvath T, Bagriantsev S, Gracheva E. Hypothalamic hormone deficiency enables physiological anorexia in ground squirrels during hibernation. Nature Communications 2024, 15: 5803. PMID: 38987241, PMCID: PMC11236985, DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49996-2.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHypothalamic feeding centersHormone deficiencyHypothalamic arcuate nucleus neuronsArcuate nucleus neuronsThyroid hormone deficiencyFeeding centerEffects of ghrelinAnorexigenic effectNucleus neuronsPhysiological anorexiaThyroid hormonesNormal physiological functionsGround squirrelsInterbout arousalAnorexiaThirteen-lined ground squirrelsProlonged periodReduced sensitivityPhysiological functionsDeficiency
2022
TET3 epigenetically controls feeding and stress response behaviors via AGRP neurons
Xie D, Stutz B, Li F, Chen F, Lv H, Sestan-Pesa M, Catarino J, Gu J, Zhao H, Stoddard CE, Carmichael GG, Shanabrough M, Taylor HS, Liu ZW, Gao XB, Horvath TL, Huang Y. TET3 epigenetically controls feeding and stress response behaviors via AGRP neurons. Journal Of Clinical Investigation 2022, 132: e162365. PMID: 36189793, PMCID: PMC9525119, DOI: 10.1172/jci162365.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAgRP neuronsNeuropeptide YExpression of AgRPControl of feedingHypothalamic agoutiAnxiolytic effectsNeurotransmitter GABAMouse modelLeptin signalingStress-like behaviorsGenetic ablationNeuronsAgRPCritical central regulatorsEnergy expenditureGABAEnergy metabolismAppetiteFeedingCentral regulatorMetabolismCentral controlHuman cellsTET3Obesity
2021
Obesity-associated hyperleptinemia alters the gliovascular interface of the hypothalamus to promote hypertension
Gruber T, Pan C, Contreras RE, Wiedemann T, Morgan DA, Skowronski AA, Lefort S, De Bernardis Murat C, Le Thuc O, Legutko B, Ruiz-Ojeda FJ, de la Fuente-Fernández M, García-Villalón AL, González-Hedström D, Huber M, Szigeti-Buck K, Müller TD, Ussar S, Pfluger P, Woods SC, Ertürk A, LeDuc CA, Rahmouni K, Granado M, Horvath TL, Tschöp MH, García-Cáceres C. Obesity-associated hyperleptinemia alters the gliovascular interface of the hypothalamus to promote hypertension. Cell Metabolism 2021, 33: 1155-1170.e10. PMID: 33951475, PMCID: PMC8183500, DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2021.04.007.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsBlood pressureObesity-associated increaseObesity-induced hypertensionElevated blood pressureSystemic blood pressureEndothelial growth factorHIF1α-VEGFArterial hypertensionNovel mechanistic linkSympathetic hyperactivityHemodynamic homeostasisHypothalamic astrocytesMetabolic syndromeRegion-specific lossMacrovascular systemsLeptin signalingBrain centersPathophysiological processesHypertensionGliovascular interfacePathway disruptionGrowth factorAstrocytesMechanistic linkAngiopathyDefective autophagy in Sf1 neurons perturbs the metabolic response to fasting and causes mitochondrial dysfunction
Coupé B, Leloup C, Asiedu K, Maillard J, Pénicaud L, Horvath TL, Bouret SG. Defective autophagy in Sf1 neurons perturbs the metabolic response to fasting and causes mitochondrial dysfunction. Molecular Metabolism 2021, 47: 101186. PMID: 33571700, PMCID: PMC7907893, DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2021.101186.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsLoss of Atg7Energy homeostasisCellular homeostasisGene Atg7Defective autophagyMitochondria morphologyPhysiological processesCellular responsesCellular componentsMetabolic responseMitochondrial dysfunctionAutophagyAtg7SF1 neuronsHomeostasisMutant miceNeurons displayLoxP/Energy expenditure regulationImportant roleVMH neuronsVentromedial nucleusLeptin sensitivityStarvationCentral response
2016
Metabolism and Mental Illness
Sestan-Pesa M, Horvath TL. Metabolism and Mental Illness. Trends In Molecular Medicine 2016, 22: 174-183. PMID: 26776095, DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2015.12.003.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCentral nervous systemMental illnessBasic metabolic principlesHigher brain functionsCerebral cortexNovel therapiesNervous systemBrain functionSystemic controlPathological conditionsIllnessAppetiteCrucial regulatorFuture research strategiesOverwhelming evidenceMetabolic principlesFeeding behaviorMetabolismHypothalamusTherapyCortexBrain
2015
AgRP Neurons Regulate Bone Mass
Kim JG, Sun BH, Dietrich MO, Koch M, Yao GQ, Diano S, Insogna K, Horvath TL. AgRP Neurons Regulate Bone Mass. Cell Reports 2015, 13: 8-14. PMID: 26411686, PMCID: PMC5868421, DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2015.08.070.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAgouti-Related ProteinAnimalsArcuate Nucleus of HypothalamusBone DensityBone Diseases, MetabolicFemurGene Expression RegulationHomeostasisHypothalamusIon ChannelsLeptinMaleMiceMice, KnockoutMitochondrial ProteinsNeuronsNorepinephrinePhenotypePropranololReceptors, Adrenergic, betaReceptors, LeptinSignal TransductionSirtuin 1TibiaUncoupling Protein 2ConceptsAgRP neuronsCell-autonomous deletionSignificant regulatory roleAgRP neuronal functionBone massLeptin receptor deletionSkeletal bone metabolismTransgenic animalsRegulatory roleGene deletionBone homeostasisDeletionNeuronal functionPostnatal deletionSympathetic toneReceptor deletionArcuate nucleusLeptin actionBone metabolismSkeletal metabolismMultiple linesNeuronsMiceMetabolismCircuit integrityA Sympathetic View on Fat by Leptin
Varela L, Horvath TL. A Sympathetic View on Fat by Leptin. Cell 2015, 163: 26-27. PMID: 26406366, DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2015.09.016.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2014
PPARγ ablation sensitizes proopiomelanocortin neurons to leptin during high-fat feeding
Long L, Toda C, Jeong JK, Horvath TL, Diano S. PPARγ ablation sensitizes proopiomelanocortin neurons to leptin during high-fat feeding. Journal Of Clinical Investigation 2014, 124: 4017-4027. PMID: 25083994, PMCID: PMC4151211, DOI: 10.1172/jci76220.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHigh-fat dietPOMC neuronsFood intakeImproved glucose metabolismHigh-fat feedingWhole-body energy balanceBody weight gainProopiomelanocortin neuronsPeripheral administrationFat massLeptin sensitivityControl animalsGlucose metabolismBody weightPPARγ activatorsLocomotor activityEnergy homeostasisPPARγWeight gainNeuronsSelective ablationEnergy expenditureIntakeNuclear receptorsMiceLeptin signaling in astrocytes regulates hypothalamic neuronal circuits and feeding
Kim JG, Suyama S, Koch M, Jin S, Argente-Arizon P, Argente J, Liu ZW, Zimmer MR, Jeong JK, Szigeti-Buck K, Gao Y, Garcia-Caceres C, Yi CX, Salmaso N, Vaccarino FM, Chowen J, Diano S, Dietrich MO, Tschöp MH, Horvath TL. Leptin signaling in astrocytes regulates hypothalamic neuronal circuits and feeding. Nature Neuroscience 2014, 17: 908-910. PMID: 24880214, PMCID: PMC4113214, DOI: 10.1038/nn.3725.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnimalsAstrocytesCell CountEatingExcitatory Postsynaptic PotentialsGlial Fibrillary Acidic ProteinHypothalamusImmunohistochemistryIn Situ HybridizationLeptinMaleMelanocortinsMiceMice, KnockoutMicroscopy, ElectronNerve NetNeuronsPrimary Cell CulturePro-OpiomelanocortinPulmonary Gas ExchangeReal-Time Polymerase Chain ReactionRNA, MessengerSignal Transduction
2013
Mitofusin 2 in POMC Neurons Connects ER Stress with Leptin Resistance and Energy Imbalance
Schneeberger M, Dietrich MO, Sebastián D, Imbernón M, Castaño C, Garcia A, Esteban Y, Gonzalez-Franquesa A, Rodríguez IC, Bortolozzi A, Garcia-Roves PM, Gomis R, Nogueiras R, Horvath TL, Zorzano A, Claret M. Mitofusin 2 in POMC Neurons Connects ER Stress with Leptin Resistance and Energy Imbalance. Cell 2013, 155: 172-187. PMID: 24074867, PMCID: PMC3839088, DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2013.09.003.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHypothalamic ER stressER stress-induced leptin resistanceLeptin resistanceMitofusin 2ER stressMitochondria-endoplasmic reticulum interactionAnorexigenic pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) neuronsPro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) neuronsDiet-induced obesityMitochondria-ER contactsSystemic energy balancePOMC neuronsMetabolic alterationsCausative factorsEnergy expenditurePOMC processingObesityUnderlying mechanismCrucial involvementNeuronsEnergy imbalanceEssential regulatorCritical roleHyperphagiaHypothalamus
2012
Leptin and insulin pathways in POMC and AgRP neurons that modulate energy balance and glucose homeostasis
Varela L, Horvath TL. Leptin and insulin pathways in POMC and AgRP neurons that modulate energy balance and glucose homeostasis. EMBO Reports 2012, 13: 1079-1086. PMID: 23146889, PMCID: PMC3512417, DOI: 10.1038/embor.2012.174.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsGlucose homeostasisEnergy homeostasisPrevalence of obesityWhole-body energy homeostasisBody energy homeostasisAnorectic hormonesAgRP neuronsObese patientsProtein (AgRP) neuronsCentral effectsHypothalamic proopiomelanocortinBody weightInsulin actionLeptinHormonal actionMajor targetInsulin pathwayHomeostasisInsulinNeuronsHormoneBrainLatest findingsEnergy balanceSteady riseLeptin regulates glutamate and glucose transporters in hypothalamic astrocytes
Fuente-Martín E, García-Cáceres C, Granado M, de Ceballos ML, Sánchez-Garrido MÁ, Sarman B, Liu ZW, Dietrich MO, Tena-Sempere M, Argente-Arizón P, Díaz F, Argente J, Horvath TL, Chowen JA. Leptin regulates glutamate and glucose transporters in hypothalamic astrocytes. Journal Of Clinical Investigation 2012, 122: 3900-3913. PMID: 23064363, PMCID: PMC3484452, DOI: 10.1172/jci64102.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsGlial structural proteinsPathology of obesityHypothalamic proopiomelanocortin (POMC) neuronsGlial cell activityOffspring of mothersHigh-fat dietActivity of neuronsExpression of glucoseProopiomelanocortin neuronsHypothalamic astrocytesGlial cellsBody weightSynaptic efficacyGlutamate transportersNeuronal functionCell activityLeptinGlucose uptakeMetabolic statusElectrical activityMetabolic signalsNeuronsAppetiteGlucose transporterKey regulatorFoxO1 Target Gpr17 Activates AgRP Neurons to Regulate Food Intake
Ren H, Orozco IJ, Su Y, Suyama S, Gutiérrez-Juárez R, Horvath TL, Wardlaw SL, Plum L, Arancio O, Accili D. FoxO1 Target Gpr17 Activates AgRP Neurons to Regulate Food Intake. Cell 2012, 149: 1314-1326. PMID: 22682251, PMCID: PMC3613436, DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2012.04.032.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsFood intakeAgRP neuronsG-protein-coupled receptor GPR17Intracerebroventricular injectionHypothalamic neuronsReceptor GPR17Pharmacological modulationGlucose homeostasisNutritional statusTherapeutic potentialMice resultsGenetic ablationNeuronsFoxO1 ablationIntakeSatietyGPR17InsulinExpression profilingAblationPathwayCangrelorObesityLeptinAgonistsAgRP neurons: The foes of reproduction in leptin-deficient obese subjects
Dietrich MO, Horvath TL. AgRP neurons: The foes of reproduction in leptin-deficient obese subjects. Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America 2012, 109: 2699-2700. PMID: 22323603, PMCID: PMC3286927, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1121355109.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2011
Peroxisome proliferation–associated control of reactive oxygen species sets melanocortin tone and feeding in diet-induced obesity
Diano S, Liu ZW, Jeong JK, Dietrich MO, Ruan HB, Kim E, Suyama S, Kelly K, Gyengesi E, Arbiser JL, Belsham DD, Sarruf DA, Schwartz MW, Bennett AM, Shanabrough M, Mobbs CV, Yang X, Gao XB, Horvath TL. Peroxisome proliferation–associated control of reactive oxygen species sets melanocortin tone and feeding in diet-induced obesity. Nature Medicine 2011, 17: 1121-1127. PMID: 21873987, PMCID: PMC3388795, DOI: 10.1038/nm.2421.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchHigh-fat feeding promotes obesity via insulin receptor/PI3K-dependent inhibition of SF-1 VMH neurons
Klöckener T, Hess S, Belgardt BF, Paeger L, Verhagen LA, Husch A, Sohn JW, Hampel B, Dhillon H, Zigman JM, Lowell BB, Williams KW, Elmquist JK, Horvath TL, Kloppenburg P, Brüning JC. High-fat feeding promotes obesity via insulin receptor/PI3K-dependent inhibition of SF-1 VMH neurons. Nature Neuroscience 2011, 14: 911-918. PMID: 21642975, PMCID: PMC3371271, DOI: 10.1038/nn.2847.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAction PotentialsAge FactorsAnimalsAnimals, NewbornBlood GlucoseBody WeightCalorimetryDietary FatsDose-Response Relationship, DrugEatingEnzyme InhibitorsEnzyme-Linked Immunosorbent AssayFemaleGene Expression RegulationGlucose Tolerance TestGreen Fluorescent ProteinsHypoglycemic AgentsIn Vitro TechniquesInjections, IntraventricularInsulinLeptinMaleMiceMice, Inbred C57BLMice, TransgenicNeuronsObesityPatch-Clamp TechniquesPhosphatidylinositol 3-KinasesReceptor, InsulinRNA, MessengerSignal TransductionSteroidogenic Factor 1Time FactorsTolbutamideVentromedial Hypothalamic NucleusDifferential Acute and Chronic Effects of Leptin on Hypothalamic Astrocyte Morphology and Synaptic Protein Levels
García-Cáceres C, Fuente-Martín E, Burgos-Ramos E, Granado M, Frago LM, Barrios V, Horvath T, Argente J, Chowen JA. Differential Acute and Chronic Effects of Leptin on Hypothalamic Astrocyte Morphology and Synaptic Protein Levels. Endocrinology 2011, 152: 1809-1818. PMID: 21343257, PMCID: PMC3860256, DOI: 10.1210/en.2010-1252.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsGlial fibrillary acidic proteinChronic leptin exposureSynaptic inputsAstrocyte morphologyLeptin exposureGFAP levelsGlial structural proteinsSynaptic protein densityChronic leptin administrationAcute leptin treatmentSynaptic protein levelsAdult male ratsCentral leptin resistanceFibrillary acidic proteinLevels 1 hPossible direct effectGlial ensheathingNeonatal overnutritionGlial activationLeptin levelsLeptin administrationHypothalamic neuronsLeptin resistanceLeptin treatmentMale rats
2010
An Oscillatory Switch in mTOR Kinase Activity Sets Regulatory T Cell Responsiveness
Procaccini C, De Rosa V, Galgani M, Abanni L, Calì G, Porcellini A, Carbone F, Fontana S, Horvath TL, La Cava A, Matarese G. An Oscillatory Switch in mTOR Kinase Activity Sets Regulatory T Cell Responsiveness. Immunity 2010, 33: 929-941. PMID: 21145759, PMCID: PMC3133602, DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2010.11.024.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnimalsCD4 AntigensCell ProliferationCells, CulturedClonal AnergyDisease ProgressionEncephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, ExperimentalForkhead Transcription FactorsHumansInterleukin-2Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha SubunitLeptinMiceMice, Inbred C57BLSignal TransductionSirolimusT-Lymphocytes, RegulatoryTOR Serine-Threonine KinasesConceptsTreg cellsAnergic stateInterleukin-2Treg cell expansionRegulatory T cellsExogenous interleukin-2T cell responsivenessCell receptor stimulationImmune toleranceT cellsCell responsivenessReceptor stimulationMTOR activationEarly downregulationMammalian targetMTOR kinase activityRapamycin (mTOR) pathwayProliferative capabilityTransient inhibitionUnderlying mechanismElevated activityEnergy metabolismCellsResponsivenessCell expansionRegulatory T cells in obesity: the leptin connection
Matarese G, Procaccini C, De Rosa V, Horvath TL, La Cava A. Regulatory T cells in obesity: the leptin connection. Trends In Molecular Medicine 2010, 16: 247-256. PMID: 20493774, DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2010.04.002.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTreg cellsResident Treg cellsRegulatory T cellsAdipocyte-derived hormonePathogenesis of obesityT cell responsivenessChronic inflammationHypothalamic levelT cellsFood intakeCell responsivenessGlucose homeostasisAdipose tissueTherapeutic interventionsNutritional statusObesityRecent findingsCellsTissueMetabolismInflammationLeptinPathogenesisHormoneIntake
2009
Feeding signals and brain circuitry
Dietrich MO, Horvath TL. Feeding signals and brain circuitry. European Journal Of Neuroscience 2009, 30: 1688-1696. PMID: 19878280, DOI: 10.1111/j.1460-9568.2009.06963.x.Peer-Reviewed Original Research