Cold-induced hyperphagia requires AgRP neuron activation in mice

To maintain energy homeostasis during cold exposure, the increased energy demands of thermogenesis must be counterbalanced by increased energy intake. To investigate the neurobiological mechanisms underlying this cold-induced hyperphagia, we asked whether agouti-related peptide (AgRP) neurons are ac...

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Published ineLife Vol. 9
Main Authors Deem, Jennifer D, Faber, Chelsea L, Pedersen, Christian, Phan, Bao Anh, Larsen, Sarah A, Ogimoto, Kayoko, Nelson, Jarrell T, Damian, Vincent, Tran, Megan A, Palmiter, Richard D, Kaiyala, Karl J, Scarlett, Jarrad M, Bruchas, Michael R, Schwartz, Michael W, Morton, Gregory J
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published England eLife Science Publications, Ltd 15.12.2020
eLife Sciences Publications, Ltd
eLife Sciences Publications Ltd
Subjects
agouti-related peptide
Agouti-Related Protein - metabolism
Animals
body temperature
Cold Temperature
Eating - physiology
energy intake
Feeding Behavior - physiology
fiber photometry
Homeostasis - physiology
Hyperphagia
Hyperphagia - physiopathology
Male
Mice
Neurons
Neurons - physiology
Neuropeptides
Neuroscience
Thermogenesis - physiology
thermoregulation
energy intake
fiber photometry
hyperphagia
mouse
neuroscience
agouti-related peptide
body temperature
thermoregulation
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Summary:To maintain energy homeostasis during cold exposure, the increased energy demands of thermogenesis must be counterbalanced by increased energy intake. To investigate the neurobiological mechanisms underlying this cold-induced hyperphagia, we asked whether agouti-related peptide (AgRP) neurons are activated when animals are placed in a cold environment and, if so, whether this response is required for the associated hyperphagia. We report that AgRP neuron activation occurs rapidly upon acute cold exposure, as do increases of both energy expenditure and energy intake, suggesting the mere perception of cold is sufficient to engage each of these responses. We further report that silencing of AgRP neurons selectively blocks the effect of cold exposure to increase food intake but has no effect on energy expenditure. Together, these findings establish a physiologically important role for AgRP neurons in the hyperphagic response to cold exposure.
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ISSN:2050-084X
2050-084X
DOI:10.7554/eLife.58764