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Deficiency of leptin receptor in myeloid cells disrupts hypothalamic metabolic circuits and causes body weight increase.

ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVE:Leptin is a cytokine produced by adipose tissue that acts mainly on the hypothalamus to regulate appetite and energy homeostasis. Previous studies revealed that the leptin receptor is expressed not only in neurons, but also in glial cells. Microglia are resident immune cells in the brain that play an essential role in immune defense and neural network development. Previously we reported that microglial morphology and cytokine production are changed in the leptin receptor deficient db/db mouse, suggesting that leptin's central effects on metabolic control might involve signaling through microglia. In the current study, we aimed to uncover the role of leptin signaling in microglia in systemic metabolic control. METHODS:We generated a mouse model with leptin receptor deficiency, specifically in the myeloid cells, to determine the role of microglial leptin signaling in the development of metabolic disease and to investigate microglial functions. RESULTS:We discovered that these mice have increased body weight with hyperphagia. In the hypothalamus, pro-opiomelanocortin neuron numbers in the arcuate nucleus (ARC) and ?-MSH projections from the ARC to the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) decreased, which was accompanied by the presence of less ramified microglia with impaired phagocytic capacity in the PVN. CONCLUSIONS:Myeloid cell leptin receptor deficient mice partially replicate the db/db phenotype. Leptin signaling in hypothalamic microglia is important for microglial function and a correct formation of the hypothalamic neuronal circuit regulating metabolism.

SUBMITTER: Gao Y

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5784319 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Deficiency of leptin receptor in myeloid cells disrupts hypothalamic metabolic circuits and causes body weight increase.

Gao Yuanqing Y Vidal-Itriago Andrés A Milanova Irina I Korpel Nikita L NL Kalsbeek Martin J MJ Tom Robby Zachariah RZ Kalsbeek Andries A Hofmann Susanna M SM Yi Chun-Xia CX

Molecular metabolism 20171109

<h4>Objective</h4>Leptin is a cytokine produced by adipose tissue that acts mainly on the hypothalamus to regulate appetite and energy homeostasis. Previous studies revealed that the leptin receptor is expressed not only in neurons, but also in glial cells. Microglia are resident immune cells in the brain that play an essential role in immune defense and neural network development. Previously we reported that microglial morphology and cytokine production are changed in the leptin receptor defici ...[more]

PMID: 29174000

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Project description:ObjectiveA major challenge for obesity treatment is the maintenance of reduced body weight. Diet-induced obese mice are resistant to achieving normoweight once the obesogenic conditions are reversed, in part because lowered circulating leptin leads to a reduction in metabolic rate and a rebound of hyperphagia that defend the previously elevated body weight set point. Because hypothalamic POMC is a central leptin target, we investigated whether changes in circulating leptin modify Pomc expression to maintain normal energy balance in genetically predisposed obese mice.MethodsMice with reversible Pomc silencing in the arcuate nucleus (ArcPomc (-/-)) become morbidly obese eating low-fat chow. We measured body composition, food intake, plasma leptin, and leptin sensitivity in ArcPomc (-/-) mice weight-matched to littermate controls by calorie restriction, either from weaning or after developing obesity. Pomc was reactivated by tamoxifen-dependent Cre recombinase transgenes. Long acting PASylated leptin was administered to weight-reduced ArcPomc (-/-) mice to mimic the super-elevated leptin levels of obese mice.ResultsArcPomc (-/-) mice had increased adiposity and leptin levels shortly after weaning. Despite chronic calorie restriction to achieve normoweight, ArcPomc (-/-) mice remained moderately hyperleptinemic and resistant to exogenous leptin's effects to reduce weight and food intake. However, subsequent Pomc reactivation in weight-matched ArcPomc (-/-) mice normalized plasma leptin, leptin sensitivity, adiposity, and food intake. In contrast, extreme hyperleptinemia induced by PASylated leptin blocked the full restoration of hypothalamic Pomc expression in calorie restricted ArcPomc (-/-) mice, which consequently regained 30% of their lost body weight and attained a metabolic steady state similar to that of tamoxifen treated obese ArcPomc (-/-) mice.ConclusionsPomc reactivation in previously obese, calorie-restricted ArcPomc (-/-) mice normalized energy homeostasis, suggesting that their body weight set point was restored to control levels. In contrast, massively obese and hyperleptinemic ArcPomc (-/-) mice or those weight-matched and treated with PASylated leptin to maintain extreme hyperleptinemia prior to Pomc reactivation converged to an intermediate set point relative to lean control and obese ArcPomc (-/-) mice. We conclude that restoration of hypothalamic leptin sensitivity and Pomc expression is necessary for obese ArcPomc (-/-) mice to achieve and sustain normal metabolic homeostasis; whereas deficits in either parameter set a maladaptive allostatic balance that defends increased adiposity and body weight.

Dataset Information

Deficiency of leptin receptor in myeloid cells disrupts hypothalamic metabolic circuits and causes body weight increase.

Publications

Deficiency of leptin receptor in myeloid cells disrupts hypothalamic metabolic circuits and causes body weight increase.

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