{"title":"Functional redundancy between glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid receptors in mature corticotropin-releasing hormone neurons protects from obesity","authors":"Yu Liu, Dongfa Lin, Syeda Sadia Najam, Shangyuan Huang, Muyi Song, Chaweewan Sirakawin, Catherine Zhao, Haixia Jiang, Witold Konopka, Stephan Herzig, Ilya A. Vinnikov","doi":"10.1002/oby.24116","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div>\n \n \n <section>\n \n <h3> Objective</h3>\n \n <p>Here, we aimed to investigate the role of glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid receptors (GRs and MRs, respectively) in the regulation of energy homeostasis.</p>\n </section>\n \n <section>\n \n <h3> Methods</h3>\n \n <p>We used three mouse models with simultaneous deletion of GRs and MRs in either forebrain neurons, the paraventricular nucleus, or corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) neurons and compared them with wild-type controls or isolated knockout groups. In addition to body weight, food intake, energy expenditure, insulin sensitivity, fat/lean mass distribution, and plasma corticosterone levels, we also performed transcriptomic analysis of CRH neurons and assessed their response to melanocortinergic stimulation.</p>\n </section>\n \n <section>\n \n <h3> Results</h3>\n \n <p>Similar to global double-knockout models, deletion of GRs and MRs specifically in mature CRH neurons resulted in obesity. Importantly, the latter was accompanied by insulin resistance, but not increased plasma corticosterone levels. Transcriptomic analysis of these neurons revealed upregulation of several genes involved in postsynaptic signal transduction, including the <i>Ptk2b</i> gene, which encodes proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2. Knockout of both nuclear receptors leads to upregulation of <i>Ptk2b</i> in CRH neurons, which results in their diminished responsiveness to melanocortinergic stimulation.</p>\n </section>\n \n <section>\n \n <h3> Conclusions</h3>\n \n <p>Our data demonstrate the functional redundancy of GRs and MRs in CRH neurons to maintain energy homeostasis and prevent obesity. Simultaneous targeting of both receptors might represent an unprecedented approach to counteract obesity.</p>\n </section>\n </div>","PeriodicalId":215,"journal":{"name":"Obesity","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":4.2000,"publicationDate":"2024-09-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/oby.24116","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Obesity","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oby.24116","RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"ENDOCRINOLOGY & METABOLISM","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Objective
Here, we aimed to investigate the role of glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid receptors (GRs and MRs, respectively) in the regulation of energy homeostasis.
Methods
We used three mouse models with simultaneous deletion of GRs and MRs in either forebrain neurons, the paraventricular nucleus, or corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) neurons and compared them with wild-type controls or isolated knockout groups. In addition to body weight, food intake, energy expenditure, insulin sensitivity, fat/lean mass distribution, and plasma corticosterone levels, we also performed transcriptomic analysis of CRH neurons and assessed their response to melanocortinergic stimulation.
Results
Similar to global double-knockout models, deletion of GRs and MRs specifically in mature CRH neurons resulted in obesity. Importantly, the latter was accompanied by insulin resistance, but not increased plasma corticosterone levels. Transcriptomic analysis of these neurons revealed upregulation of several genes involved in postsynaptic signal transduction, including the Ptk2b gene, which encodes proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2. Knockout of both nuclear receptors leads to upregulation of Ptk2b in CRH neurons, which results in their diminished responsiveness to melanocortinergic stimulation.
Conclusions
Our data demonstrate the functional redundancy of GRs and MRs in CRH neurons to maintain energy homeostasis and prevent obesity. Simultaneous targeting of both receptors might represent an unprecedented approach to counteract obesity.
期刊介绍:
Obesity is the official journal of The Obesity Society and is the premier source of information for increasing knowledge, fostering translational research from basic to population science, and promoting better treatment for people with obesity. Obesity publishes important peer-reviewed research and cutting-edge reviews, commentaries, and public health and medical developments.