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 functionsDeficiencymicroRNA-33 controls hunger signaling in hypothalamic AgRP neurons
Price N, Fernández-Tussy P, Varela L, Cardelo M, Shanabrough M, Aryal B, de Cabo R, Suárez Y, Horvath T, Fernández-Hernando C. microRNA-33 controls hunger signaling in hypothalamic AgRP neurons. Nature Communications 2024, 15: 2131. PMID: 38459068, PMCID: PMC10923783, DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46427-0.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAgRP neuronsFeeding behaviorFatty acid metabolismNon-coding RNAsMitochondrial biogenesisRegulatory pathwaysTarget genesHypothalamic AgRP neuronsExcessive nutrient intakeCentral regulatorBioenergetic processesAcid metabolismActivation of AgRP neuronsModulate feeding behaviorCentral regulation of feeding behaviorRegulation of feeding behaviorMiR-33Hunger signalsMicroRNA-33Metabolic diseasesAlternative therapeutic approachLoss of miR-33Mouse modelMetabolic dysfunctionRegulation
2023
A small-molecule degrader of TET3 as treatment for anorexia nervosa in an animal model
Lv H, Catarino J, Li D, Liu B, Gao X, Horvath T, Huang Y. A small-molecule degrader of TET3 as treatment for anorexia nervosa in an animal model. Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America 2023, 120: e2300015120. PMID: 37036983, PMCID: PMC10120042, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2300015120.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsVesicular GABA transporterActivity-based anorexiaExpression of AgRPNeuropeptide YAgRP neuronsAnorexia nervosaAnxiety/depressive-like behaviorsHypothalamic AgRP neuronsDepressive-like behaviorCurrent treatment optionsHigh relapse rateStress-related disordersHuman neuronal cellsNutritional supportRelapse rateTreatment optionsAnxiolytic effectsPsychiatric illnessMouse modelAnimal modelsHigh mortalityGABA transporterGenetic ablationNeuronal cellsNeuronsNeonatal loss of FGFR2 in astroglial cells affects locomotion, sociability, working memory, and glia-neuron interactions in mice
Stevens H, Scuderi S, Collica S, Tomasi S, Horvath T, Vaccarino F. Neonatal loss of FGFR2 in astroglial cells affects locomotion, sociability, working memory, and glia-neuron interactions in mice. Translational Psychiatry 2023, 13: 89. PMID: 36906620, PMCID: PMC10008554, DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02372-y.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsFibroblast growth factor receptor 2Anxiety-like behaviorAttention deficit hyperactivity disorderAstroglial cellsGrowth factor receptor 2Reduced anxiety-like behaviorGlia-neuron interactionsAstroglial cell functionEarly postnatal periodFactor receptor 2Early postnatal lossPostnatal mouse brainWeeks of ageDeficit hyperactivity disorderGlial cellsGlutamine synthetase expressionBehavioral deficitsPostnatal periodReceptor 2Floxed miceHGFAP-CreMouse brainNeonatal lossPostnatal astrogliaPostnatal loss
2022
A hypothalamic dopamine locus for psychostimulant-induced hyperlocomotion in mice
Korchynska S, Rebernik P, Pende M, Boi L, Alpár A, Tasan R, Becker K, Balueva K, Saghafi S, Wulff P, Horvath TL, Fisone G, Dodt HU, Hökfelt T, Harkany T, Romanov RA. A hypothalamic dopamine locus for psychostimulant-induced hyperlocomotion in mice. Nature Communications 2022, 13: 5944. PMID: 36209152, PMCID: PMC9547883, DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33584-3.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsLateral septumDopamine neuronsSuprachiasmatic nucleusSomatostatin-containing neuronsStimulation ex vivoAmphetamine-induced hyperlocomotionRegulation of locomotionDopamine outputChemogenetic inhibitionNeuropeptidergic innervationPeriventricular nucleusChemogenetic manipulationHypothalamic lociSynaptic targetsAnterior subdivisionEx vivoBrain clockNeuronsSedentary periodL activityHyperlocomotionCellular targetsMicePeVNInnervationTET3 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 cellsTET3ObesityParaventricular glia drive circuit function to control metabolism
Varela L, Horvath TL. Paraventricular glia drive circuit function to control metabolism. Cell Metabolism 2022, 34: 1424-1426. PMID: 36198288, DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2022.09.012.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAgRP neurons control feeding behaviour at cortical synapses via peripherally derived lysophospholipids
Endle H, Horta G, Stutz B, Muthuraman M, Tegeder I, Schreiber Y, Snodgrass IF, Gurke R, Liu ZW, Sestan-Pesa M, Radyushkin K, Streu N, Fan W, Baumgart J, Li Y, Kloss F, Groppa S, Opel N, Dannlowski U, Grabe HJ, Zipp F, Rácz B, Horvath TL, Nitsch R, Vogt J. AgRP neurons control feeding behaviour at cortical synapses via peripherally derived lysophospholipids. Nature Metabolism 2022, 4: 683-692. PMID: 35760867, PMCID: PMC9940119, DOI: 10.1038/s42255-022-00589-7.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsFasting-induced hyperphagiaCortical excitabilityAgRP neuronsLysophosphatidic acidPeripheral metabolismHigher body mass indexFasting-induced elevationHypothalamic AgRP neuronsEffects of LPABody mass indexHigher cortical excitabilityBrain lipid levelsCentral nervous systemPrevalence of typeGlutamatergic transmissionHypothalamic agoutiMass indexOvernight fastingPeptide neuronsCortical synapsesLipid levelsFood intakeCerebrospinal fluidNervous systemPhospholipid levels
2021
From Molecule to Behavior: Hypocretin/orexin Revisited From a Sex-dependent Perspective
Gao XB, Horvath TL. From Molecule to Behavior: Hypocretin/orexin Revisited From a Sex-dependent Perspective. Endocrine Reviews 2021, 43: 743-760. PMID: 34792130, PMCID: PMC9277634, DOI: 10.1210/endrev/bnab042.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMitochondrial cristae-remodeling protein OPA1 in POMC neurons couples Ca2+ homeostasis with adipose tissue lipolysis
Gómez-Valadés AG, Pozo M, Varela L, Boudjadja MB, Ramírez S, Chivite I, Eyre E, Haddad-Tóvolli R, Obri A, Milà-Guasch M, Altirriba J, Schneeberger M, Imbernón M, Garcia-Rendueles AR, Gama-Perez P, Rojo-Ruiz J, Rácz B, Alonso MT, Gomis R, Zorzano A, D’Agostino G, Alvarez CV, Nogueiras R, Garcia-Roves PM, Horvath TL, Claret M. Mitochondrial cristae-remodeling protein OPA1 in POMC neurons couples Ca2+ homeostasis with adipose tissue lipolysis. Cell Metabolism 2021, 33: 1820-1835.e9. PMID: 34343501, PMCID: PMC8432968, DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2021.07.008.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsProtein OPA1Mitochondrial CaMitochondrial cristae architectureAdipose tissue lipolysisKey metabolic sensorPOMC neuronsCellular metabolic adaptationTissue lipolysisCristae architectureMetabolic sensorNutrient availabilityWhite adipose tissue lipolysisAlpha-melanocyte stimulating hormoneGenetic inactivationNovel axisMitochondrial functionOPA1Metabolic adaptationMitochondrial cristaeDramatic alterationsMutant miceProopiomelanocortin neuronsLipolysis controlWAT lipolysisPharmacological blockadeHunger-promoting AgRP neurons trigger an astrocyte-mediated feed-forward auto-activation loop in mice
Varela L, Stutz B, Song JE, Kim JG, Liu ZW, Gao XB, Horvath TL. Hunger-promoting AgRP neurons trigger an astrocyte-mediated feed-forward auto-activation loop in mice. Journal Of Clinical Investigation 2021, 131 PMID: 33848272, PMCID: PMC8121506, DOI: 10.1172/jci144239.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAgRP neuronsHypothalamic feeding circuitsInhibitory neurotransmitter GABAGhrelin administrationInhibitory toneAstrocytic responseMetabolic milieuProstaglandin E2Neurotransmitter GABANeuronal controlSynaptic plasticityGlial processesNeuronsNeural excitationMitochondrial adaptationsFood deprivationAstrocytesPerikaryaFeeding circuitRegion crucialFeedingObesityGABAExcitabilityChemogeneticsUcp2-dependent microglia-neuronal coupling controls ventral hippocampal circuit function and anxiety-like behavior
Yasumoto Y, Stoiljkovic M, Kim JD, Sestan-Pesa M, Gao XB, Diano S, Horvath TL. Ucp2-dependent microglia-neuronal coupling controls ventral hippocampal circuit function and anxiety-like behavior. Molecular Psychiatry 2021, 26: 2740-2752. PMID: 33879866, PMCID: PMC8056795, DOI: 10.1038/s41380-021-01105-1.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAnxiety-like behaviorReactive oxygen speciesMicroglia-synapse contactsSpine synapse numberHippocampal circuit functionNeuronal circuit dysfunctionMicroglial productionVentral hippocampusCircuit dysfunctionSpine synapsesSynapse numberAdult brainTransient riseMitochondrial ROS generationMicrogliaBrain functionConditional ablationPhagocytic inclusionsSynaptic elementsProtein 2ROS generationSignificant reductionCircuit functionConsequent accumulationOxygen speciesAge‐related calcium dysregulation linked with tau pathology and impaired cognition in non‐human primates
Datta D, Leslie SN, Wang M, Morozov YM, Yang S, Mentone S, Zeiss C, Duque A, Rakic P, Horvath TL, van Dyck C, Nairn AC, Arnsten AFT. Age‐related calcium dysregulation linked with tau pathology and impaired cognition in non‐human primates. Alzheimer's & Dementia 2021, 17: 920-932. PMID: 33829643, PMCID: PMC8195842, DOI: 10.1002/alz.12325.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTau pathologyCalcium leakTau phosphorylationNeuronal firingAlzheimer's diseaseEarly tau phosphorylationPyramidal cell dendritesSporadic Alzheimer's diseasePrimary cortical neuronsPotential therapeutic targetCognitive performanceAge-related reductionMacaque dorsolateral prefrontal cortexDorsolateral prefrontal cortexNon-human primatesCalcium dysregulationCell dendritesCortical neuronsCalcium-binding proteinsAD biomarkersPathology markersTherapeutic targetAnimal modelsAged monkeysPrefrontal cortexDrp1 is required for AgRP neuronal activity and feeding
Jin S, Yoon NA, Liu ZW, Song JE, Horvath TL, Kim JD, Diano S. Drp1 is required for AgRP neuronal activity and feeding. ELife 2021, 10: e64351. PMID: 33689681, PMCID: PMC7946429, DOI: 10.7554/elife.64351.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAgRP neuronal activityFatty acid oxidationAgRP neuronsNeuronal activityAgRP neuronal functionHypothalamic AgRP neuronsBody weight regulationMitochondrial fatty acid utilizationWhole-body energy homeostasisHypothalamic orexigenic agoutiFatty acid utilizationAcid oxidationFat massCKO miceNeuronal activationPeptide-1Body weightNeuronal functionOrexigenic agoutiEnergy homeostasisMitochondrial fissionSignificant decreaseEnergy expenditureNeuronsAcid utilizationDefective 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 responseNeuroinvasion of SARS-CoV-2 in human and mouse brain
Song E, Zhang C, Israelow B, Lu-Culligan A, Prado AV, Skriabine S, Lu P, Weizman OE, Liu F, Dai Y, Szigeti-Buck K, Yasumoto Y, Wang G, Castaldi C, Heltke J, Ng E, Wheeler J, Alfajaro MM, Levavasseur E, Fontes B, Ravindra NG, Van Dijk D, Mane S, Gunel M, Ring A, Kazmi SAJ, Zhang K, Wilen CB, Horvath TL, Plu I, Haik S, Thomas JL, Louvi A, Farhadian SF, Huttner A, Seilhean D, Renier N, Bilguvar K, Iwasaki A. Neuroinvasion of SARS-CoV-2 in human and mouse brain. Journal Of Experimental Medicine 2021, 218: e20202135. PMID: 33433624, PMCID: PMC7808299, DOI: 10.1084/jem.20202135.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSARS-CoV-2Central nervous systemSARS-CoV-2 neuroinvasionImmune cell infiltratesCOVID-19 patientsType I interferon responseMultiple organ systemsCOVID-19I interferon responseHuman brain organoidsNeuroinvasive capacityCNS infectionsCell infiltrateNeuronal infectionPathological featuresCortical neuronsRespiratory diseaseDirect infectionCerebrospinal fluidNervous systemMouse brainInterferon responseOrgan systemsHuman ACE2Infection
2020
AgRP neurons control compulsive exercise and survival in an activity-based anorexia model
Miletta MC, Iyilikci O, Shanabrough M, Šestan-Peša M, Cammisa A, Zeiss CJ, Dietrich MO, Horvath TL. AgRP neurons control compulsive exercise and survival in an activity-based anorexia model. Nature Metabolism 2020, 2: 1204-1211. PMID: 33106687, DOI: 10.1038/s42255-020-00300-8.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAgRP neuronsActivity-based anorexia modelAgRP neuronal activityVivo fiber photometryFood-restricted miceFood-restricted animalsCompulsive exerciseAnorexia modelHypothalamic agoutiNeuropeptide YExercise volumeFood intakeMouse modelNeuronal activityFiber photometryDaily activationNeuronal circuitsPsychiatric conditionsAnorexia nervosaChemogenetic toolsNeuronsLong-term behavioral impactElevated fat contentVoluntary cessationFat contentImpaired hypocretin/orexin system alters responses to salient stimuli in obese male mice
Tan Y, Hang F, Liu ZW, Stoiljkovic M, Wu M, Tu Y, Han W, Lee AM, Kelley C, Hajos M, Lu L, de Lecea L, de Araujo I, Picciotto M, Horvath TL, Gao XB. Impaired hypocretin/orexin system alters responses to salient stimuli in obese male mice. Journal Of Clinical Investigation 2020, 130: 4985-4998. PMID: 32516139, PMCID: PMC7456212, DOI: 10.1172/jci130889.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHcrt cellsObese miceDiet-induced obese miceObese male miceExcessive energy intakeNeuropeptide hypocretin/orexinHypocretin/orexinHcrt neuronsMale miceHcrt systemClinical studiesCommon causeSynaptic transmissionObese animalsEnergy intakeAcute stressCognitive functionSalient stimuliAlters responsesExact mechanismMiceHomeostatic regulationNeuronal networksBehavioral changesNeuronsMetabolic Lateralization in the Hypothalamus of Male Rats Related to Reproductive and Satiety States
Kiss DS, Toth I, Jocsak G, Bartha T, Frenyo LV, Barany Z, Horvath TL, Zsarnovszky A. Metabolic Lateralization in the Hypothalamus of Male Rats Related to Reproductive and Satiety States. Reproductive Sciences 2020, 27: 1197-1205. PMID: 32046448, PMCID: PMC7181557, DOI: 10.1007/s43032-019-00131-3.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSatiety stateMale ratsFood intakeImpact of gonadectomyRight hemisphereSleep-wake behaviorHypothalamic functionMale rodentsMetabolic asymmetryScheduled feedingFunctional lateralizationHypothalamusEx vivoRegulatory centersRatsMetabolic differencesHomeostatic processesFunctional asymmetryIntakeLateralizationRecent findingsPresent studyReproductive controlGonadectomySatiety
2019
Mediation of the Acute Stress Response by the Skeleton
Berger JM, Singh P, Khrimian L, Morgan DA, Chowdhury S, Arteaga-Solis E, Horvath TL, Domingos AI, Marsland AL, Yadav V, Rahmouni K, Gao XB, Karsenty G. Mediation of the Acute Stress Response by the Skeleton. Cell Metabolism 2019, 30: 890-902.e8. PMID: 31523009, PMCID: PMC6834912, DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2019.08.012.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsStress responseBony vertebratesAcute stress responseBone-derived signalsWild-type animalsGenetic studiesEndocrine mediationAdrenal insufficient patientsVertebratesOsteocalcinSympathetic toneParasympathetic neuronsWildOsteocalcin levelsStressorsTypes of stressorsSelective surgeOsteoblastsInactivationRodentsResponseGlutamateUptake