2024
microRNA-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
2022
Paraventricular 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 ResearchVentromedial hypothalamic OGT drives adipose tissue lipolysis and curbs obesity
Wang Q, Zhang B, Stutz B, Liu ZW, Horvath TL, Yang X. Ventromedial hypothalamic OGT drives adipose tissue lipolysis and curbs obesity. Science Advances 2022, 8: eabn8092. PMID: 36044565, PMCID: PMC9432828, DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abn8092.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsVentromedial hypothalamusWhite adipose tissueVMH neuronsAdipose tissueBody weightLipid metabolismRapid weight gainCounterregulatory responsesSympathetic activitySympathetic innervationAdipocyte hypertrophyTissue lipolysisNeuronal excitabilityFood intakePhysical activityObesity phenotypesGenetic ablationWeight gainHomeostatic set pointEnergy expenditureNeuronsInnervationLipolysisSignificant changesCellular sensors
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 linkAngiopathy
2020
Impaired 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 changesNeurons
2019
Metabolism: A Burning Opioid Issue in Obesity Therapeutics
da Silva Catarino J, Horvath TL. Metabolism: A Burning Opioid Issue in Obesity Therapeutics. Current Biology 2019, 29: r1323-r1325. PMID: 31846684, DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2019.10.055.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchParallel Paths in PVH Control of Feeding
Varela L, Horvath TL. Parallel Paths in PVH Control of Feeding. Neuron 2019, 102: 514-516. PMID: 31071283, DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2019.04.026.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2018
Mild Impairment of Mitochondrial OXPHOS Promotes Fatty Acid Utilization in POMC Neurons and Improves Glucose Homeostasis in Obesity
Timper K, Paeger L, Sánchez-Lasheras C, Varela L, Jais A, Nolte H, Vogt MC, Hausen AC, Heilinger C, Evers N, Pospisilik JA, Penninger JM, Taylor EB, Horvath TL, Kloppenburg P, Brüning JC. Mild Impairment of Mitochondrial OXPHOS Promotes Fatty Acid Utilization in POMC Neurons and Improves Glucose Homeostasis in Obesity. Cell Reports 2018, 25: 383-397.e10. PMID: 30304679, PMCID: PMC6349418, DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2018.09.034.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPOMC neuronsApoptosis-inducing factorImproved glucose metabolismFatty acid utilizationDecrease firingPomc-CreFatty acid metabolismHFD feedingReactive oxygen species formationSystemic glucoseHypothalamic proopiomelanocortinLean miceMitochondrial respirationObese miceObese conditionsInsulin sensitivityGlucose homeostasisGlucose metabolismMild impairmentOxygen species formationFiring propertiesNeuronsOxidative phosphorylationMicePartial impairmentLoss of Nucleobindin-2 Causes Insulin Resistance in Obesity without Impacting Satiety or Adiposity
Ravussin A, Youm YH, Sander J, Ryu S, Nguyen K, Varela L, Shulman GI, Sidorov S, Horvath TL, Schultze JL, Dixit VD. Loss of Nucleobindin-2 Causes Insulin Resistance in Obesity without Impacting Satiety or Adiposity. Cell Reports 2018, 24: 1085-1092.e6. PMID: 30067966, PMCID: PMC6223120, DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2018.06.112.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHigh-fat dietInsulin resistanceFood intakeMetabolic inflammationNucleobindin-2M2-like macrophage polarizationHigh-fat diet feedingWeight lossAdipose tissue macrophagesObesity-associated diseasesNesfatin-1Insulin sensitivityDiet feedingMacrophage polarizationNUCB2 proteinMyeloid cellsTissue macrophagesGlobal deletionClassical M1NUCB2NFκB-dependent mannerWeight gainSatietyIntakeAdiposityPatient-Derived iPSC-Hypothamic Neurons: The Ultimate Protocol
Miletta MC, Horvath TL. Patient-Derived iPSC-Hypothamic Neurons: The Ultimate Protocol. Cell Stem Cell 2018, 22: 615-616. PMID: 29727675, DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2018.04.019.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAbsence of ANGPTL4 in adipose tissue improves glucose tolerance and attenuates atherogenesis
Aryal B, Singh AK, Zhang X, Varela L, Rotllan N, Goedeke L, Chaube B, Camporez JP, Vatner DF, Horvath TL, Shulman GI, Suárez Y, Fernández-Hernando C. Absence of ANGPTL4 in adipose tissue improves glucose tolerance and attenuates atherogenesis. JCI Insight 2018, 3: e97918. PMID: 29563332, PMCID: PMC5926923, DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.97918.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdipocytesAdipose TissueAllelesAngiopoietin-Like Protein 4AnimalsAtherosclerosisBody WeightChemokinesCytokinesDiet, High-FatDiet, WesternFatty AcidsGene Expression ProfilingGene Expression RegulationGene Knockout TechniquesGlucoseInsulinIntegrasesIntercellular Signaling Peptides and ProteinsLipid MetabolismLipoprotein LipaseLipoproteinsLiverMaleMiceMice, Inbred C57BLMice, KnockoutMusclesObesityProprotein Convertase 9TriglyceridesConceptsAngiopoietin-like protein 4High-fat dietEctopic lipid depositionLipid depositionGlucose toleranceLipoprotein lipaseShort-term high-fat dietSevere metabolic abnormalitiesProgression of atherosclerosisMajor risk factorTriacylglycerol-rich lipoproteinsFatty acid uptakeAdipose tissue resultsProatherogenic lipoproteinsCardiometabolic diseasesMetabolic abnormalitiesKO miceRisk factorsWhole body lipidMetabolic disordersGlucose metabolismLPL activityAdipose tissueGenetic ablationRapid clearanceNeuronal Cilia: Another Player in the Melanocortin System
Varela L, Horvath TL. Neuronal Cilia: Another Player in the Melanocortin System. Trends In Molecular Medicine 2018, 24: 333-334. PMID: 29501261, DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2018.02.004.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2017
Cannabis in fat: high hopes to treat obesity
Hawkins MN, Horvath TL. Cannabis in fat: high hopes to treat obesity. Journal Of Clinical Investigation 2017, 127: 3918-3920. PMID: 29035279, PMCID: PMC5663345, DOI: 10.1172/jci97042.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCannabinoid receptor type 1Body weightNovel peripheral targetsReduced body weightSystemic metabolic changesAdipocyte-specific deletionReceptor type 1Sympathetic toneTotal adiposityCNS effectsPeripheral mechanismsSystemic metabolismPeripheral targetsAdipocyte physiologyAdipose tissueType 1Metabolic changesMetabolic profileEnergy metabolismMetabolismAdiposityObesityCausal relationshipMiceMacrophagesRegulation of body weight and energy homeostasis by neuronal cell adhesion molecule 1
Rathjen T, Yan X, Kononenko NL, Ku MC, Song K, Ferrarese L, Tarallo V, Puchkov D, Kochlamazashvili G, Brachs S, Varela L, Szigeti-Buck K, Yi CX, Schriever SC, Tattikota SG, Carlo AS, Moroni M, Siemens J, Heuser A, van der Weyden L, Birkenfeld AL, Niendorf T, Poulet JFA, Horvath TL, Tschöp MH, Heinig M, Trajkovski M, Haucke V, Poy MN. Regulation of body weight and energy homeostasis by neuronal cell adhesion molecule 1. Nature Neuroscience 2017, 20: 1096-1103. PMID: 28628102, PMCID: PMC5533218, DOI: 10.1038/nn.4590.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMicroglial Proliferation in Obesity: When, Where, Why, and What Does It Mean?
Chowen JA, Horvath TL, Argente J. Microglial Proliferation in Obesity: When, Where, Why, and What Does It Mean? Diabetes 2017, 66: 804-805. PMID: 28325742, PMCID: PMC5360305, DOI: 10.2337/dbi16-0073.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2016
The role of astrocytes in the hypothalamic response and adaptation to metabolic signals
Chowen JA, Argente-Arizón P, Freire-Regatillo A, Frago LM, Horvath TL, Argente J. The role of astrocytes in the hypothalamic response and adaptation to metabolic signals. Progress In Neurobiology 2016, 144: 68-87. PMID: 27000556, DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2016.03.001.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHypothalamic responseMetabolic signalsRole of astrocytesIncidence of obesityAnorexigenic hormone leptinType 2 diabetesHypothalamic adaptationsImportant metabolic signalsDiabetes mellitusHypothalamic circuitsSecondary complicationsChronic conditionsHormone leptinGlial cellsSynaptic transmissionAdequate treatmentMetabolic diseasesSynaptic plasticityNeuroendocrine controlHomeostatic functionsNeighboring neuronsMetabolic homeostasisHormonal inputsObesityHypothalamusMetabolism 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
Reducing Adiposity in a Critical Developmental Window Has Lasting Benefits in Mice
Lerea JS, Ring LE, Hassouna R, Chong AC, Szigeti-Buck K, Horvath TL, Zeltser LM. Reducing Adiposity in a Critical Developmental Window Has Lasting Benefits in Mice. Endocrinology 2015, 157: 666-678. PMID: 26587784, PMCID: PMC4733128, DOI: 10.1210/en.2015-1753.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsDietary interventionBrown adipose tissue thermogenesisWeight lossEarly-onset hyperphagiaRapid weight regainEarly-onset obesityEnergy expenditureAdipose tissue thermogenesisCritical developmental windowWeight regainSympathetic toneMetabolic improvementHypothalamic leptinTissue thermogenesisEarly interventionCompensatory decreaseUnfavorable responseMiceMost adultsObesityAdiposityInterventionDevelopmental windowAdultsBrown adipose tissue mitochondria
2014
O-GlcNAc Transferase Enables AgRP Neurons to Suppress Browning of White Fat
Ruan HB, Dietrich MO, Liu ZW, Zimmer MR, Li MD, Singh JP, Zhang K, Yin R, Wu J, Horvath TL, Yang X. O-GlcNAc Transferase Enables AgRP Neurons to Suppress Browning of White Fat. Cell 2014, 159: 306-317. PMID: 25303527, PMCID: PMC4509746, DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2014.09.010.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAgRP neuronsFundamental cellular processesWhite fatN-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) modificationOrexigenic AgRP neuronsVoltage-dependent potassium channelsCellular processesGlcNAc transferaseDynamic physiological processesNuclear proteinsWhite adipose tissue browningPhysiological processesAdipose tissue browningDiet-induced obesityPhysiological relevanceTissue browningGenetic ablationBeige cellsEnergy metabolismInsulin resistanceNeuronal excitabilityPotassium channelsAdipose tissueCentral mechanismsNeuronsMitochondrial dynamics in the central regulation of metabolism
Nasrallah CM, Horvath TL. Mitochondrial dynamics in the central regulation of metabolism. Nature Reviews Endocrinology 2014, 10: 650-658. PMID: 25200564, DOI: 10.1038/nrendo.2014.160.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPOMC neuronsMetabolic disordersPeripheral tissue functionsCentral melanocortin systemMitochondrial dynamicsProopiomelanocortin neuronsAnorexigenic responseOrexigenic responseHypothalamic neuronsCentral regulationMelanocortin systemNeuronsDistinct signaling pathwaysSignaling pathwaysMitochondrial fusionMolecular regulatorsTissue functionDistinct functionsDisordersFatty acidsMetabolismActivationObesityAppetiteResponse