Role of non-neuronal cells in body weight and appetite control
The brain is composed of neurons and non-neuronal cells, with the latter encompassing glial, ependymal and endothelial cells, as well as pericytes and progenitor cells. Studies aimed at understanding how the brain operates have traditionally focused on neurons, but the importance of non-neuronal cel...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2015-03-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Endocrinology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fendo.2015.00042/full |
| _version_ | 1818022682333020160 |
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| author | Pilar eArgente-Arizón Pilar eArgente-Arizón Alejandra eFreire-Regatillo Alejandra eFreire-Regatillo Jesús eArgente Jesús eArgente Jesús eArgente Julie A Chowen Julie A Chowen |
| author_facet | Pilar eArgente-Arizón Pilar eArgente-Arizón Alejandra eFreire-Regatillo Alejandra eFreire-Regatillo Jesús eArgente Jesús eArgente Jesús eArgente Julie A Chowen Julie A Chowen |
| author_sort | Pilar eArgente-Arizón |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The brain is composed of neurons and non-neuronal cells, with the latter encompassing glial, ependymal and endothelial cells, as well as pericytes and progenitor cells. Studies aimed at understanding how the brain operates have traditionally focused on neurons, but the importance of non-neuronal cells has become increasingly evident. Once relegated to supporting roles, it is now indubitable that these diverse cell types are fundamental for brain development and function, including that of metabolic circuits and they may play a significant role in obesity onset and complications. They participate in processes of neurogenesis, synaptogenesis and synaptic plasticity of metabolic circuits both during development and in adulthood. Some glial cells, such as tanycytes and astrocytes, transport circulating nutrients and metabolic factors that are fundamental for neuronal viability and activity into and within the hypothalamus. All of these cell types express receptors for a variety of metabolic factors and hormones, suggesting that they participate in metabolic function. They are the first line of defense against any assault to neurons. Indeed, microglia and astrocytes participate in the hypothalamic inflammatory response to high fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity, with this process contributing to inflammatory related insulin and leptin resistance. Moreover, HFD-induced obesity and hyperleptinemia modify hypothalamic astroglial morphology, which is associated with changes in the synaptic inputs to neuronal metabolic circuits. Astrocytic contact with the microvasculature is increased by HFD intake and this could modify nutrient/hormonal uptake into the brain. In addition, progenitor cells in the hypothalamus are now known to have the capacity to renew metabolic circuits and this can be affected by HFD intake and obesity. Here we discuss our current understanding of how non-neuronal cells participate in physiological and physiopathological metabolic control. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-10T03:32:18Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-358226d8d763457e902233709e07e376 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1664-2392 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-10T03:32:18Z |
| publishDate | 2015-03-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Endocrinology |
| spelling | doaj.art-358226d8d763457e902233709e07e3762022-12-22T02:03:47ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Endocrinology1664-23922015-03-01610.3389/fendo.2015.00042137398Role of non-neuronal cells in body weight and appetite controlPilar eArgente-Arizón0Pilar eArgente-Arizón1Alejandra eFreire-Regatillo2Alejandra eFreire-Regatillo3Jesús eArgente4Jesús eArgente5Jesús eArgente6Julie A Chowen7Julie A Chowen8Hospital Infantil Universitario Niño JesúsCIBERobnHospital Infantil Universitario Niño JesúsCIBERobnHospital Infantil Universitario Niño JesúsCIBERobnUniversidad Autónoma de MadridHospital Infantil Universitario Niño JesúsCIBERobnThe brain is composed of neurons and non-neuronal cells, with the latter encompassing glial, ependymal and endothelial cells, as well as pericytes and progenitor cells. Studies aimed at understanding how the brain operates have traditionally focused on neurons, but the importance of non-neuronal cells has become increasingly evident. Once relegated to supporting roles, it is now indubitable that these diverse cell types are fundamental for brain development and function, including that of metabolic circuits and they may play a significant role in obesity onset and complications. They participate in processes of neurogenesis, synaptogenesis and synaptic plasticity of metabolic circuits both during development and in adulthood. Some glial cells, such as tanycytes and astrocytes, transport circulating nutrients and metabolic factors that are fundamental for neuronal viability and activity into and within the hypothalamus. All of these cell types express receptors for a variety of metabolic factors and hormones, suggesting that they participate in metabolic function. They are the first line of defense against any assault to neurons. Indeed, microglia and astrocytes participate in the hypothalamic inflammatory response to high fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity, with this process contributing to inflammatory related insulin and leptin resistance. Moreover, HFD-induced obesity and hyperleptinemia modify hypothalamic astroglial morphology, which is associated with changes in the synaptic inputs to neuronal metabolic circuits. Astrocytic contact with the microvasculature is increased by HFD intake and this could modify nutrient/hormonal uptake into the brain. In addition, progenitor cells in the hypothalamus are now known to have the capacity to renew metabolic circuits and this can be affected by HFD intake and obesity. Here we discuss our current understanding of how non-neuronal cells participate in physiological and physiopathological metabolic control.http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fendo.2015.00042/fullHypothalamusLeptinMetabolismgliahigh fat dietependymal cells |
| spellingShingle | Pilar eArgente-Arizón Pilar eArgente-Arizón Alejandra eFreire-Regatillo Alejandra eFreire-Regatillo Jesús eArgente Jesús eArgente Jesús eArgente Julie A Chowen Julie A Chowen Role of non-neuronal cells in body weight and appetite control Frontiers in Endocrinology Hypothalamus Leptin Metabolism glia high fat diet ependymal cells |
| title | Role of non-neuronal cells in body weight and appetite control |
| title_full | Role of non-neuronal cells in body weight and appetite control |
| title_fullStr | Role of non-neuronal cells in body weight and appetite control |
| title_full_unstemmed | Role of non-neuronal cells in body weight and appetite control |
| title_short | Role of non-neuronal cells in body weight and appetite control |
| title_sort | role of non neuronal cells in body weight and appetite control |
| topic | Hypothalamus Leptin Metabolism glia high fat diet ependymal cells |
| url | http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fendo.2015.00042/full |
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