The Mesencephalic Trigeminal Nucleus Controls Food Intake and Body Weight via Hindbrain POMC Projections

The mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus (Mes5) processes oral sensory–motor information, but its role in the control of energy balance remains unexplored. Here, using fluorescent in situ hybridization, we show that the Mes5 expresses the melanocortin-4 receptor. Consistent with MC4R activation in other...

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Main Authors: Samantha M. Fortin, Jack Chen, Harvey J. Grill, Matthew R. Hayes
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-05-01
Series:Nutrients
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/13/5/1642
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author Samantha M. Fortin
Jack Chen
Harvey J. Grill
Matthew R. Hayes
author_facet Samantha M. Fortin
Jack Chen
Harvey J. Grill
Matthew R. Hayes
author_sort Samantha M. Fortin
collection DOAJ
description The mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus (Mes5) processes oral sensory–motor information, but its role in the control of energy balance remains unexplored. Here, using fluorescent in situ hybridization, we show that the Mes5 expresses the melanocortin-4 receptor. Consistent with MC4R activation in other areas of the brain, we found that Mes5 microinjection of the MC4R agonist melanotan-II (MTII) suppresses food intake and body weight in the mouse. Furthermore, NTS POMC-projecting neurons to the Mes5 can be chemogenetically activated to drive a suppression in food intake. Taken together, these findings highlight the Mes5 as a novel target of melanocortinergic control of food intake and body weight regulation, although elucidating the endogenous role of this circuit requires future study. While we observed the sufficiency of Mes5 MC4Rs for food intake and body weight suppression, these receptors do not appear to be necessary for food intake or body weight control. Collectively, the data presented here support the functional relevance of the NTS POMC to Mes5 projection pathway as a novel circuit that can be targeted to modulate food intake and body weight.
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spelling doaj.art-aba744b401ef4e9b92c81adb13f5b1b82023-11-21T19:31:23ZengMDPI AGNutrients2072-66432021-05-01135164210.3390/nu13051642The Mesencephalic Trigeminal Nucleus Controls Food Intake and Body Weight via Hindbrain POMC ProjectionsSamantha M. Fortin0Jack Chen1Harvey J. Grill2Matthew R. Hayes3Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USADepartment of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USADepartment of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USADepartment of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USAThe mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus (Mes5) processes oral sensory–motor information, but its role in the control of energy balance remains unexplored. Here, using fluorescent in situ hybridization, we show that the Mes5 expresses the melanocortin-4 receptor. Consistent with MC4R activation in other areas of the brain, we found that Mes5 microinjection of the MC4R agonist melanotan-II (MTII) suppresses food intake and body weight in the mouse. Furthermore, NTS POMC-projecting neurons to the Mes5 can be chemogenetically activated to drive a suppression in food intake. Taken together, these findings highlight the Mes5 as a novel target of melanocortinergic control of food intake and body weight regulation, although elucidating the endogenous role of this circuit requires future study. While we observed the sufficiency of Mes5 MC4Rs for food intake and body weight suppression, these receptors do not appear to be necessary for food intake or body weight control. Collectively, the data presented here support the functional relevance of the NTS POMC to Mes5 projection pathway as a novel circuit that can be targeted to modulate food intake and body weight.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/13/5/1642obesitymelanocortinMC4R
spellingShingle Samantha M. Fortin
Jack Chen
Harvey J. Grill
Matthew R. Hayes
The Mesencephalic Trigeminal Nucleus Controls Food Intake and Body Weight via Hindbrain POMC Projections
Nutrients
obesity
melanocortin
MC4R
title The Mesencephalic Trigeminal Nucleus Controls Food Intake and Body Weight via Hindbrain POMC Projections
title_full The Mesencephalic Trigeminal Nucleus Controls Food Intake and Body Weight via Hindbrain POMC Projections
title_fullStr The Mesencephalic Trigeminal Nucleus Controls Food Intake and Body Weight via Hindbrain POMC Projections
title_full_unstemmed The Mesencephalic Trigeminal Nucleus Controls Food Intake and Body Weight via Hindbrain POMC Projections
title_short The Mesencephalic Trigeminal Nucleus Controls Food Intake and Body Weight via Hindbrain POMC Projections
title_sort mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus controls food intake and body weight via hindbrain pomc projections
topic obesity
melanocortin
MC4R
url https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/13/5/1642
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