Neuroendocrinology and Neuroimmunology
Author: ESTEFANIA BELLO | Email: estefania.bello@gmail.com
Bárbara A Giugovaz Tropper1°2°, Verónica Risso1°2°, Analía López Díaz1°2°, Agostina Presta1°2°, Viviana F. Bumaschny1°2°3°, Estefanía P. Bello1°2°3°
1° Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Departamento de Ciencias Fisiológicas. Grupo/Laboratorio. Buenos Aires, Argentina.
2° CONICET – Universidad de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Fisiología y Biofísica Bernardo Houssay (IFIBIO Houssay). Buenos Aires, Argentina.)
3° *equal contribution
The hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (Arc) is a key regulator of energy homeostasis composed by different neuronal populations that integrate peripheral and central signals through complex circuits with different functions. In particular, the Arc proopiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons inhibit food intake and promote energy expenditure. This population is heterogeneous, composed of neuronal subpopulations differing not only in their target areas but also in terms of the neurotransmitter and receptor expression. Given that different subpopulations of POMC neurons secrete antagonistic neurotransmitters, such as glutamate and GABA, it has been proposed that they could have different physiological roles and targets. Smoking can decrease food intake, body weight and increase metabolism through nicotine acting on Arc-POMC neurons. Although it is well established that a minor subpopulation of Arc-POMC neurons also express acetylcholine, whether these neurons play a role in regulating feeding behavior is still unknown. In the present study, we aimed to characterize the contribution of Arc-POMC cholinergic neurons in the control of energy balance by expressing Pomc exclusively in this subpopulation. Elucidating the role of POMC expression in cholinergic neurons could contribute to unraveling a new pathway modulating appetite and body weight and lead to the development of novel appetite suppressants.