Transcriptomic analysis links diverse hypothalamic cell types to fibroblast growth factor 1-induced sustained diabetes remission.

In rodent models of type 2 diabetes (T2D), sustained remission of hyperglycemia can be induced by a single intracerebroventricular (icv) injection of fibroblast growth factor 1 (FGF1), and the mediobasal hypothalamus (MBH) was recently implicated as the brain area responsible for this effect. To better understand the cellular response to FGF1 in the MBH, we sequenced >79,000 single-cell transcriptomes from the hypothalamus of diabetic Lepob/ob mice obtained on Days 1 and 5 after icv injection of either FGF1 or vehicle. A wide range of transcriptional responses to FGF1 was observed across diverse hypothalamic cell types, with glial cell types responding much more robustly than neurons at both time points. Tanycytes and ependymal cells were the most FGF1-responsive cell type at Day 1, but astrocytes and oligodendrocyte lineage cells subsequently became more responsive. Based on histochemical and ultrastructural evidence of enhanced cell-cell interactions between astrocytes and Agrp neurons (key components of the melanocortin system), we performed a series of studies showing that intact melanocortin signaling is required for the sustained antidiabetic action of FGF1. These data collectively suggest that hypothalamic glial cells are leading targets for the effects of FGF1 and that sustained diabetes remission is dependent on intact melanocortin signaling.

Design of MC1R Selective γ-MSH Analogues with Canonical Amino Acids Leads to Potency and Pigmentation.

Melanoma is a lethal form of skin cancer. Skin pigmentation, which is regulated by the melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R), is an effective protection against melanoma. However, the endogenous MC1R agonists lack selectivity for the MC1R and thus can have side effects. The use of noncanonical amino acids in previous MC1R ligand development raises safety concerns. Here we report the development of the first potent and selective hMC1R agonist with only canonical amino acids. Using γ-MSH as a template, we developed a peptide, [Leu3, Leu7, Phe8]-γ-MSH-NH2 (compound 5), which is 16-fold selective for the hMC1R (EC50 = 4.5 nM) versus other melanocortin receptors. Conformational studies revealed a constrained conformation for this linear peptide. Molecular docking demonstrated a hydrophobic binding pocket for the melanocortin 1 receptor. In vivo pigmentation study shows high potency and short duration. [Leu3, Leu7, Phe8]-γ-MSH-NH2 is ideal for inducing short-term skin pigmentation without sun for melanoma prevention.

Altered sucrose self-administration following injection of melanocortin receptor agonists and antagonists into the ventral tegmental area.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: Alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (αMSH) and agouti-related protein (AgRP) are antagonistic neuropeptides that play an important role in the control of feeding and body weight through their central actions on the melanocortin-3 and melanocortin-4 receptors. Increasing evidence indicates that αMSH and AgRP can interact with the mesolimbic dopamine system to regulate feeding as well as other behaviors. For example, we have shown previously that injection of melanocortin receptor agonists and antagonists into the ventral tegmental area (VTA) alters both normal home-cage feeding and the intake of sucrose solutions, but it remains unknown whether αMSH and AgRP can also act in the VTA to affect reward-related feeding. METHODS: We tested whether injection of the melanocortin receptor agonist, MTII, or the melanocortin receptor antagonist, SHU9119, directly into the VTA affected operant responding maintained by sucrose pellets in self-administration assays. RESULTS: Injection of MTII into the VTA decreased operant responding maintained by sucrose pellets on both fixed ratio and progressive ratio schedules of reinforcement, whereas SHU9119 increased operant responding under fixed ratio, but not progressive ratio schedules. MTII also increased and SHU9119 decreased 24-h home-cage food intake. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that αMSH and AgRP act in the VTA to affect sucrose self-administration. Thus, it adds critical information to the growing literature showing that in addition to their well-characterized role in controlling "need-based" feeding, αMSH and AgRP can also act on the mesolimbic dopamine system to control reward-related behavior.

Effect of Melanotan-II on Brain Fos Immunoreactivity and Oxytocin Neuronal Activity and Secretion in Rats.

Melanocortins stimulate the central oxytocin systems that are involved in regulating social behaviours. Alterations in central oxytocin have been linked to neurological disorders such as autism, and melanocortins have been proposed for therapeutic treatment. In the present study, we investigated how systemic administration of melanotan-II (MT-II), a melanocortin agonist, affects oxytocin neuronal activity and secretion in rats. The results obtained show that i.v., but not intranasal, administration of MT-II markedly induced Fos expression in magnocellular neurones of the supraoptic (SON) and paraventricular nuclei (PVN) of the hypothalamus, and this response was attenuated by prior i.c.v. administration of the melanocortin antagonist, SHU-9119. Electrophysiological recordings from identified magnocellular neurones of the SON showed that i.v. administration of MT-II increased the firing rate in oxytocin neurones but did not trigger somatodendritic oxytocin release within the SON as measured by microdialysis. Our data suggest that, after i.v., but not intranasal, administration of MT-II, the activity of magnocellular neurones of the SON is increased. Because previous studies showed that SON oxytocin neurones are inhibited in response to direct application of melanocortin agonists, the actions of i.v. MT-II are likely to be mediated at least partly indirectly, possibly by activation of inputs from the caudal brainstem, where MT-II also increased Fos expression.

Activation of the brain melanocortin system is required for leptin-induced modulation of chemorespiratory function.

UNLABELLED: Melanocortin receptors (MC3/4R) mediate most of the metabolic and cardiovascular actions of leptin. AIM: Here, we tested if MC4R also contributes to leptin's effects on respiratory function. METHODS: After control measurements, male Holtzman rats received daily microinjections of leptin, SHU9119 (MC3/4R antagonist) or SHU9119 combined with leptin infused into the brain lateral ventricle for 7 days. On the 6th day of treatment, tidal volume (VT ), respiratory frequency (fR ) and pulmonary ventilation (VE ) were measured by whole-body plethysmography during normocapnia or hypercapnia (7% CO2 ). Baseline mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR) and metabolic rate were also measured. VE , VT and fR were also measured in mice with leptin receptor deletion in the entire central nervous system (LepR/Nestin-cre) or only in proopiomelanocortin neurones (LepR/POMC-cre) and in MC4R knockout (MC4R(-/-) ) and wild-type mice. RESULTS: Leptin (5 µg day(-1) ) reduced body weight (~17%) and increased ventilatory response to hypercapnia, whereas SHU9119 (0.6 nmol day(-1) ) increased body weight (~18%) and reduced ventilatory responses compared with control-PBS group (Lep: 2119 ± 90 mL min(-1)  kg(-1) and SHU9119: 997 ± 67 mL min(-1)  kg(-1) , vs. PBS: 1379 ± 91 mL min(-1)  kg(-1) ). MAP increased after leptin treatment (130 ± 2 mmHg) compared to PBS (106 ± 3 mmHg) or SHU9119 alone (109 ± 3 mmHg). SHU9119 prevented the effects of leptin on body weight, MAP (102 ± 3 mmHg) and ventilatory response to hypercapnia (1391 ± 137 mL min(-1)  kg(-1) ). The ventilatory response to hypercapnia was attenuated in the LepR/Nestin-cre, LepR/POMC-cre and MC4R(-/-) mice. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that central MC4R mediate the effects of leptin on respiratory response to hypercapnia.

Single administration of tripeptide α-MSH(11-13) attenuates brain damage by reduced inflammation and apoptosis after experimental traumatic brain injury in mice.

Following traumatic brain injury (TBI) neuroinflammatory processes promote neuronal cell loss. Alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) is a neuropeptide with immunomodulatory properties, which may offer neuroprotection. Due to short half-life and pigmentary side-effects of α-MSH, the C-terminal tripeptide α-MSH(11-13) may be an anti-inflammatory alternative. The present study investigated the mRNA concentrations of the precursor hormone proopiomelanocortin (POMC) and of melanocortin receptors 1 and 4 (MC1R/MC4R) in naive mice and 15 min, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h after controlled cortical impact (CCI). Regulation of POMC and MC4R expression did not change after trauma, while MC1R levels increased over time with a 3-fold maximum at 12 h compared to naive brain tissue. The effect of α-MSH(11-13) on secondary lesion volume determined in cresyl violet stained sections (intraperitoneal injection 30 min after insult of 1 mg/kg α-MSH(11-13) or 0.9% NaCl) showed a considerable smaller trauma in α-MSH(11-13) injected mice. The expression of the inflammatory markers TNF-α and IL-1ß as well as the total amount of Iba-1 positive cells were not reduced. However, cell branch counting of Iba-1 positive cells revealed a reduced activation of microglia. Furthermore, tripeptide injection reduced neuronal apoptosis analyzed by cleaved caspase-3 and NeuN staining. Based on the results single α-MSH(11-13) administration offers a promising neuroprotective property by modulation of inflammation and prevention of apoptosis after traumatic brain injury.

Differential control of metabolic and cardiovascular functions by melanocortin-4 receptors in proopiomelanocortin neurons.

We examined the role of melanocortin-4 receptors (MC4R) in proopiomelanocortin (Pomc) neurons in regulating metabolic and cardiovascular functions. Using Cre-loxP technology, we selectively rescued MC4R in Pomc neurons of mice with whole body MC4R deficiency (MC4R-Pomc-Cre mice). Body weight, food intake, and whole body oxygen consumption (Vo2) were determined daily, and blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), and body temperature were measured 24 h/day by telemetry. An intracerebroventricular cannula was placed in the right lateral ventricle for intracerebroventricular infusions. Littermate MC4R-deficient (LoxTB-MC4R) mice were used as controls. After control measurements, the MC4R antagonist (SHU-9119; 1 nmol/h) was infused intracerebroventricularly for 7 days. Compared with LoxTB-MC4R mice, MC4R-Pomc-Cre mice were less obese (47 ± 2 vs. 52 ± 2 g) and had increased energy expenditure (2,174 ± 98 vs. 1,990 ± 68 ml·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹), but food intake (4.4 ± 0.2 vs. 4.3 ± 0.3 g/day), BP (112 ± 1 vs. 109 ± 3 mmHg), and HR [557 ± 9 vs. 551 ± 14 beats per minute (bpm)] were similar between groups. Chronic SHU-9119 infusion increased food intake (4.2 ± 0.2 to 6.1 ± 0.5 g/day) and body weight (47 ± 2 to 52 ± 2 g) in MC4R-Pomc-Cre mice, while no changes were observed in LoxTB-MC4R mice. Chronic SHU-9119 infusion also increased BP and HR by 5 ± 1 mmHg and 60 ± 8 bpm in MC4R-Pomc-Cre mice without altering BP or HR in LoxTB-MC4R mice. These results indicate that MC4Rs in Pomc neurons are important for regulation of energy balance. In contrast, while activation of MC4R in Pomc neurons facilitates the BP response to acute stress, our data do not support a major role of MC4R in Pomc neurons in regulating baseline BP and HR.

Altered feeding and body weight following melanocortin administration to the ventral tegmental area in adult rats.

RATIONALE: The melanocortin system is an important component of the brain circuitry controlling feeding and body weight, and most of the effects of melanocortins are attributed to their actions in hypothalamic and brainstem nuclei. The mesolimbic dopamine system is another component of the central circuitry controlling feeding, and there is evidence that melanocortins can act on mesolimbic dopamine pathways. It is unknown, however, whether melanocortins can act on the mesolimbic dopamine system to regulate feeding. OBJECTIVE: These studies tested whether injection of melanocortin receptor agonists and antagonists directly into the ventral tegmental area (VTA) of adult rats affects feeding and body weight. METHODS: Varying doses of the melanocortin receptor agonist, MTII, or the melanocortin receptor antagonist, SHU9119, were injected directly into the VTA, and food intake was measured at specific intervals. In addition, melanocortin receptors in the VTA were chronically blocked through repeated daily injections of SHU9119 into the VTA, and the resulting effects on food intake and body weight were determined. RESULTS: Injection of MTII into the VTA dose-dependently inhibited feeding for up to 24 h, while injection of SHU9119 into the VTA dose-dependently stimulated feeding for up to 24 h. In addition, chronic blockade of melanocortin receptors in the VTA increased feeding, body weight, and caloric efficiency. CONCLUSIONS: These studies demonstrate that melanocortins can control feeding and body weight by acting in the VTA and suggest that endogenous melanocortins control feeding in part through actions on the mesolimbic dopamine system in vivo.

Melanocortin 3/4 receptors in paraventricular nucleus modulate sympathetic outflow and blood pressure.

Central melanocortin 3/4 receptors (MC3/4Rs) are known to regulate energy balance. Activation of MC3/4Rs causes a greater increase in the firing activity of the PVN neurons in obese Zucker rats than in lean Zucker rats. The present study was undertaken to determine the roles of MC3/4Rs in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) in modulating the sympathetic activity and blood pressure and its downstream pathway. Renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were recorded in anaesthetized rats. Microinjection of the MC3/4R agonist melanotan II (MTII) into the PVN increased the RSNA and MAP. The MC3/4R antagonist agouti-related peptide (AgRP) or SHU9119 decreased the RSNA and MAP, but the MC4R antagonist HS024 had no significant effect on the RSNA and MAP. The effects of MTII were abolished by pretreatment of the PVN with AgRP, SHU9119, the adenylate cyclase inhibitor SQ22536 or the protein kinase A inhibitor Rp-cAMP, and substantially attenuated by HS024. Microinjection of SQ22536 alone into the PVN had no significant effect on the RSNA and MAP, but Rp-cAMP caused significant decreases in the RSNA and MAP. Furthermore, MTII increased the cAMP level in the PVN. These results indicate that activation of MC3/4Rs in the PVN increases the sympathetic outflow and blood pressure via the cAMP-protein kinase A pathway. Melanocortin 3 receptors in the PVN may exert a tonic excitatory effect on sympathetic activity.

Activation of the central melanocortin system contributes to the increased arterial pressure in obese Zucker rats.

We have previously demonstrated that leptin-mediated activation of the central nervous system (CNS) melanocortin system reduces appetite and increases sympathetic activity and blood pressure (BP). In the present study we examined whether endogenous melanocortin system activation, independent of leptin's actions, contributes to the regulation of BP and metabolic functions in obese Zucker rats, which have mutated leptin receptors. The long-term cardiovascular and metabolic effects of central melanocortin-3/4 receptor (MC3/4R) antagonism with SHU-9119 were assessed in lean (n = 6) and obese (n = 8) Zucker rats. BP and heart rate (HR) were measured 24-h/day by telemetry and an intracerebroventricular cannula was placed in the brain lateral ventricle. After stable control measurements, SHU-9119 was infused intracerebroventricularlly (1 nmol/h) for 10 days followed by a 10-day recovery period. Chronic CNS MC3/4R antagonism significantly increased food intake and body weight in lean (20 ± 1 to 45 ± 2 g and 373 ± 11 to 432 ± 14 g) and obese (25 ± 2 to 35 ± 2 g and 547 ± 10 to 604 ± 11 g) rats. No significant changes were observed in plasma glucose levels in lean or obese rats, whereas plasma leptin and insulin levels markedly increased in lean Zucker rats during CNS MC3/4R antagonism. Chronic SHU-9119 infusion in obese Zucker rats reduced mean arterial pressure (MAP) and HR by 6 ± 1 mmHg and 24 ± 5 beats/min, whereas in lean rats SHU-9119 infusion reduced HR by 31 ± 9 beats/min while causing only a transient decrease in MAP. These results suggest that in obese Zucker rats the CNS melanocortin system contributes to elevated BP independent of leptin receptor activation.

Intracerebroventricular administration of vasoactive intestinal peptide inhibits food intake.

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is a 28 amino acid peptide expressed throughout the peripheral and central nervous systems. VIP and the VIP receptor VPAC(2)R are expressed in hypothalamic nuclei involved in the regulation of energy homeostasis. VIP has been shown to be involved in the regulation of energy balance in a number of non-mammalian vertebrates. We therefore examined the effects of intracerebroventricular (ICV) administration of VIP on food intake, energy expenditure and activity in adult male Wistar rats. VIP administration caused a potent short lived decrease in food intake and an increase in activity and energy expenditure. The pathways potentially involved in the anorexigenic effects of VIP were investigated by measuring the release of neuropeptides involved in the regulation of food intake from hypothalamic explants treated with VIP. VIP significantly stimulated the release of the anorexigenic peptide alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (αMSH). These studies suggest that VIP may have an endogenous role in the hypothalamic control of energy homeostasis.

Melanocortins protect against multiple organ dysfunction syndrome in mice.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Melanocortins reverse circulatory shock and improve survival by counteracting the systemic inflammatory response, and through the activation of the vagus nerve-mediated cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway. To gain insight into the potential therapeutic value of melanocortins against multiple organ damage following systemic inflammatory response, here we investigated the effects of the melanocortin analogue [Nle4 D-Phe7]α-MSH (NDP-α-MSH) in a widely used murine model of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: MODS was induced in mice by a single intraperitoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide followed, 6 days later (= day 0), by zymosan. After MODS or sham MODS induction, animals were randomized to receive intraperitoneally NDP-α-MSH (340 µg·kg⁻¹ day) or saline for up to 16 days. Additional groups of MODS mice were concomitantly treated with the melanocortin MC4 receptor antagonist HS024, or the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist chlorisondamine, and NDP-α-MSH. KEY RESULTS: At day 7, in the liver and lung NDP-α-MSH, significantly reduced mRNA expression of tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), increased mRNA expression of interleukin-10 and improved the histological picture, as well as reduced TNF-α plasma levels; furthermore, NDP-α-MSH dose-dependently increased survival rate, as assessed throughout the 16 day observation period. HS024 and chlorisondamine prevented all the beneficial effects of NDP-α-MSH in MODS mice. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: These data indicate that NDP-α-MSH protects against experimental MODS by counteracting the systemic inflammatory response, probably through brain MC4 receptor-triggered activation of the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway. These findings reveal previously undescribed effects of melanocortins and could have clinical relevance in the MODS setting.

Agrp neurons mediate Sirt1's action on the melanocortin system and energy balance: roles for Sirt1 in neuronal firing and synaptic plasticity.

Sirt1 has been associated with various effects of calorie restriction, including an increase in lifespan. Here we show in mice that a central regulatory component in energy metabolism, the hypothalamic melanocortin system, is affected by Sirt1, which promotes the activity and connectivity of this system resulting in negative energy balance. In adult mice, the pharmacological inhibition of brain Sirt1 activity decreased Agrp neuronal activity and the inhibitory tone on the anorexigenic POMC neurons, as measured by the number of synaptic inputs to these neurons. When a Sirt1 inhibitor (EX-527) was injected either peripherally (i.p., 10 mg/kg) or directly into the brain (i.c.v., 1.5 nmol/mouse), it decreased both food intake during the dark cycle and ghrelin-induced food intake. This effect on feeding is mediated by upstream melanocortin receptors, because the MC4R antagonist, SHU9119, reversed Sirt1's effect on food intake. This action of Sirt1 required an appropriate shift in the mitochondrial redox state: in the absence of such an adaptation enabled by the mitochondrial protein, UCP2, Sirt1-induced cellular and behavioral responses were impaired. In accordance with the pharmacological results, the selective knock-out of Sirt1 in hypothalamic Agrp neurons through the use of Cre-Lox technology decreased electric responses of Agrp neurons to ghrelin and decreased food intake, leading to decreased lean mass, fat mass, and body weight. The present data indicate that Sirt1 has a central mode of action by acting on the NPY/Agrp neurons to affect body metabolism.

Drug-loaded nanoparticles targeted to the colon with polysaccharide hydrogel reduce colitis in a mouse model.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: One of the challenges to treating inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is to target the site of inflammation. We engineered nanoparticles (NPs) to deliver an anti-inflammatory tripeptide Lys-Pro-Val (KPV) to the colon and assessed its therapeutic efficacy in a mouse model of colitis. METHODS: NPs were synthesized by double-emulsion/solvent evaporation. KPV was loaded into the NPs during the first emulsion of the synthesis process. To target KPV to the colon, loaded NPs (NP-KPV) were encapsulated into a polysaccharide gel containing 2 polymers: alginate and chitosan. The effect of KPV-loaded NPs on inflammatory parameters was determined in vitro as well as in the dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis mouse model. RESULTS: NPs (400 nm) did not affect cell viability or barrier functions. A swelling degree study showed that alginate-chitosan hydrogel containing dextran-fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled NPs collapsed in the colon. Once delivered, NPs quickly released KPV on or within the closed area of colonocytes. The inflammatory responses to lipopolysaccharide were reduced in Caco2-BBE (brush border enterocyte) cells exposed to NP-KPV compared with those exposed to NPs alone, in a dose-dependent fashion. Mice given dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) followed by NP-KPV were protected against inflammatory and histologic parameters, compared with mice given only DSS. CONCLUSIONS: Nanoparticles are a versatile drug delivery system that can overcome physiologic barriers and target anti-inflammatory agents such as the peptide KPV to inflamed areas. By using NPs, KPV can be delivered at a concentration that is 12,000-fold lower than that of KPV in free solution, but with similar therapeutic efficacy. Administration of encapsulated drug-loaded NPs is a novel therapeutic approach for IBD.

Distinct effects of leptin and a melanocortin receptor agonist injected into medial hypothalamic nuclei on glucose uptake in peripheral tissues.

OBJECTIVE: The medial hypothalamus mediates leptin-induced glucose uptake in peripheral tissues, and brain melanocortin receptors (MCRs) mediate certain central effects of leptin. However, the contributions of the leptin receptor and MCRs in individual medial hypothalamic nuclei to regulation of peripheral glucose uptake have remained unclear. We examined the effects of an injection of leptin and the MCR agonist MT-II into medial hypothalamic nuclei on glucose uptake in peripheral tissues. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Leptin or MT-II was injected into the ventromedial (VMH), dorsomedial (DMH), arcuate nucleus (ARC), or paraventricular (PVH) hypothalamus or the lateral ventricle (intracerebroventricularly) in freely moving mice. The MCR antagonist SHU9119 was injected intracerebroventricularly. Glucose uptake was measured by the 2-[(3)H]deoxy-d-glucose method. RESULTS: Leptin injection into the VMH increased glucose uptake in skeletal muscle, brown adipose tissue (BAT), and heart, whereas that into the ARC increased glucose uptake in BAT, and that into the DMH or PVH had no effect. SHU9119 abolished these effects of leptin injected into the VMH. Injection of MT-II either into the VMH or intracerebroventricularly increased glucose uptake in skeletal muscle, BAT, and heart, whereas that into the PVH increased glucose uptake in BAT, and that into the DMH or ARC had no effect. CONCLUSIONS: The VMH mediates leptin- and MT-II-induced glucose uptake in skeletal muscle, BAT, and heart. These effects of leptin are dependent on MCR activation. The leptin receptor in the ARC and MCR in the PVH regulate glucose uptake in BAT. Medial hypothalamic nuclei thus play distinct roles in leptin- and MT-II-induced glucose uptake in peripheral tissues.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor/tropomyosin-related kinase receptor type B signaling is a downstream effector of the brainstem melanocortin system in food intake control.

It has been shown that the neurotropin brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its high-affinity receptor, tropomyosin-related kinase receptor type B (TrkB), contribute to the central control of food intake. BDNF has previously been implicated as a probable downstream effector of melanocortinergic signaling within the ventromedial hypothalamus, and we have shown its implication as an anorexigenic factor within the brainstem autonomic integrator of food intake control, namely the dorsal vagal complex (DVC). In the brainstem, the melanocortinergic signaling pathway is known to integrate phasic responses to satiety signals, such as cholecystokinin. In this study, we explored the interactions between melanocortin and BDNF/TrkB signaling within the DVC. First, we tested the effect of a local pharmacological activation or inhibition of melanocortin receptors type 3/4 (MC3/4R) on BDNF protein content in the DVC of adult rats. We showed that fourth intracerebroventricular delivery of MC3/4R agonist and antagonist increased and decreased the BDNF protein content within the DVC, respectively. Second, we showed that the orexigenic effect of a selective MC4R antagonist delivered fourth-icv can be blocked by a coadministration of BDNF. We also tested the causal role of BDNF/TrkB signaling in the anorexigenic effect of melanocortinergic signaling by using a recently developed analog-sensitive kinase allele murine model (TrkB(F616A) mice) and showed that the pharmacological blockade of TrkB abolished the anorexigenic effect of a selective MC4R agonist and of cholecystokinin. Our results provide strong evidence for a role of BDNF as a downstream effector of melanocortinergic signaling pathway within the DVC.

Peripheral antinociceptive effects of MC4 receptor antagonists in a rat model of neuropathic pain - a biochemical and behavioral study.

Recent studies have suggested that melanocortins contribute to the generation and/or maintenance of pathological pain. Experimental evidence indicates a primary role for melanocortin 4 (MC4) receptors in pathological pain. In a previous study, we described the presence of MC4 receptor transcripts in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG). This finding prompted us to investigate the peripheral antinociceptive effects of MC4 receptor antagonists. In addition, we assess the expression of MC4 receptors in the spinal cord and the DRG of rats subjected to neuropathic pain induced by chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve. Injection of the MC4 receptor antagonists Asp3-Lys8- Ac-Nle-Asp-His-D-Nal(2')-Arg-Trp-Lys-NH(2) (SHU9119) and Mpr1-Cys8-Mpr-Glu-His-(D-Nal)-Arg-Trp-Gly-Cys-Pro-Pro-Lys-Asp-NH(2) (JKC-363) into the ipsilateral paw resulted in a significant and dose-dependent alleviation of mechanical allodynia (assayed by the von Frey test) and thermal hyperalgesia (assayed by the Hargreaves test). Compared to naive control animals, immunohistochemistry revealed a 40% and 22% increase in MC4 receptor-immunoreactivity (IR) in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord ipsilateral to the injury at 3 and 14 days after CCI, respectively. Similarly, in the ipsilateral L4-L5 DRG, a 21.1% enhancement in MC4 receptor-IR was seen 3 days after CCI, as well as a 40.5% increase 14 days after CCI. Together, painful neuropathy resulted in the up-regulation of MC4 receptors in the spinal and peripheral nociceptive pathways. This up-regulation of MC4 receptors promotes the pronociceptive action of their endogenous ligands. Therefore, a block of the MC4 receptors results in the antagonism of neuropathic pain and such treatment could be beneficial therapeutically for individuals with chronic neuropathic pain.

Melanocortin peptides affect the motivation to feed in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).

In this study, we investigated the effects of one melanocortin receptor (MCR) agonist and two antagonists on food intake in juvenile rainbow trout. Baseline food intake was established prior to 1 microl intracerebroventricular injection (ICV) of the non-specific agonist MTII, the MC4R antagonist HS024 and the MC3/4R antagonist SHU9119 at concentrations of 0.3, 1 or 3 nM. Saline-injected fish and untreated fish served as controls. Changes in food intake were observed 1h after the ICV injections. Our results showed that treatment with MTII significantly decreased food intake at 3 nM compared to control, HS024 significantly increased food intake at 3 nM compared to control and saline-treated fish, and SHU9119 significantly increased food intake at 3 nM compared to saline-treated fish. In conclusion, our study provides further evidence, and hence strengthens the hypothesis, that MC4R participates in the control of energy balance in fish in the same manner as in mammals. Our findings that HS024 is more potent than SHU9119 in increasing food intake suggest that the effects of melanocortin on energy balance in rainbow trout are mainly regulated by activation of MC4R. Hence, HS024 seems an excellent tool as a MC4R antagonist in rainbow trout.

Hindbrain leptin stimulation induces anorexia and hyperthermia mediated by hindbrain melanocortin receptors.

Of the central nervous system receptors that could mediate the energy balance effects of leptin, those of the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus receive the greatest attention. Melanocortin receptors (MC-Rs) contribute to the feeding and energetic effects of hypothalamically delivered leptin. Energy balance effects of leptin are also mediated by extrahypothalamic neurons including the hindbrain nucleus tractus solitarius. Hindbrain leptin receptors play a role in leptin's anorectic effects, but their contribution to its energetic effects and their functional interaction with melanocortin systems within the hindbrain remains unexplored. Here rats implanted with telemetric devices for recording energetic/cardiovascular responses were examined to determine whether: 1) hindbrain (fourth ventricular) leptin receptor stimulation triggers energetic and cardiovascular effects, 2) these effects are altered by a 6-wk high-fat diet maintenance, and 3) hindbrain MC-Rs mediate the thermogenic, cardiovascular, and anorexic effects of hindbrain leptin delivery. Results show that hindbrain leptin receptor stimulation produced long-lasting (>6 h) increases in core temperature and heart rate and also decreased food intake and body weight. These responses were not altered by high-fat maintenance, in contrast to what has been reported for forebrain leptin delivery. Fourth ventricular pretreatment with MC-R antagonist SHU 9119 completely abolished the hyperthermia, anorexia, and body weight loss seen with hindbrain-directed leptin but had no effects of its own. These data highlight a role for hindbrain leptin receptors in the initiation of energetic and anorexic responses and show that MCRs are part of the downstream mediation of hindbrain leptin-induced energy balance effects, paralleling effects observed for hypothalamic leptin receptors.