Brainstem BDNF Neurons Are Downstream of GFRAL/GLP1R Signalling

Overview

Journal Nat Commun

Specialty Biology

Date 2024 Dec 31

PMID 39737892

Authors

Claire H Feetham

Valeria Collabolletta

Amy A Worth

Rosemary Shoop

Sam Groom

Court Harding

Mehdi Boutagouga Boudjadja

Tamer Coskun

Paul J Emmerson

Giuseppe DAgostino

Simon M Luckman

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Growth differentiation factor 15, GDF15, and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogues act through brainstem neurons that co-localise their receptors, GDNF-family receptor α-like (GFRAL) and GLP1R, to reduce food intake and body weight. However, their use as clinical treatments is partially hampered since both can also induce sickness-like behaviours, including aversion, that are mediated through a well-characterised pathway via the exterolateral parabrachial nucleus. Here, in mice, we describe a separate pathway downstream of GFRAL/GLP1R neurons that involves a distinct population of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) cells in the medial nucleus of the tractus solitarius. Thus, BDNF neurons are required for the weight-reducing actions of both GDF15 and the GLP1RA, Exendin-4. Moreover, acute activation of BDNF neurons is sufficient to reduce food intake and drive fatty acid oxidation and might provide a route for longer-term weight loss.

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