Abstract
The nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) is a key gateway for meal-related signals entering the brain from the periphery. However, the chemical mediators crucial to this process have not been fully elucidated. We reveal that a subset of NTS neurons containing cholecystokinin (CCKNTS) is responsive to nutritional state and that their activation reduces appetite and body weight in mice. Cell-specific anterograde tracing revealed that CCKNTS neurons provide a distinctive innervation of the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVH), with fibers and varicosities in close apposition to a subset of melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4RPVH) cells, which are also responsive to CCK. Optogenetic activation of CCKNTS axon terminals within the PVH reveal the satiating function of CCKNTS neurons to be mediated by a CCKNTS→PVH pathway that also encodes positive valence. These data identify the functional significance of CCKNTS neurons and reveal a sufficient and discrete NTS to hypothalamic circuit controlling appetite.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 12225 |
Number of pages | 15 |
Journal | eLife |
Volume | 5 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 14 Mar 2016 |
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Lora Heisler
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences & Nutrition, The Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health - Chair in Human Nutrition
Person: Academic