A distinct hypothalamus-to-β cell circuit modulates insulin secretion

Ioannis Papazoglou, Ji Hyeon Lee, Zhenzhong Cui, Chia Li, Gianluca Fulgenzi, Young Jae Bahn, Halina M. Staniszewska-Goraczniak, Ramón A. Piñol, Ian B. Hogue, Lynn W. Enquist, Michael J. Krashes, Sushil G. Rane

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

22 Scopus citations

Abstract

The central nervous system has long been thought to regulate insulin secretion, an essential process in the maintenance of blood glucose levels. However, the anatomical and functional connections between the brain and insulin-producing pancreatic β cells remain undefined. Here, we describe a functional transneuronal circuit connecting the hypothalamus to β cells in mice. This circuit originates from a subpopulation of oxytocin neurons in the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus (PVNOXT), and it reaches the islets of the endocrine pancreas via the sympathetic autonomic branch to innervate β cells. Stimulation of PVNOXT neurons rapidly suppresses insulin secretion and causes hyperglycemia. Conversely, silencing of these neurons elevates insulin levels by dysregulating neuronal signaling and secretory pathways in β cells and induces hypoglycemia. PVNOXT neuronal activity is triggered by glucoprivation. Our findings reveal that a subset of PVNOXT neurons form functional multisynaptic circuits with β cells in mice to regulate insulin secretion, and their function is necessary for the β cell response to hypoglycemia.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)285-298.e7
JournalCell Metabolism
Volume34
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 1 2022
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • central nervous system
  • glucoprivation
  • hypoglycemia
  • insulin secretion
  • oxytocin neurons
  • pancreatic β cells
  • paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus
  • pseudorabies tracing
  • sympathetic innervation
  • transneuronal circuit

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Physiology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

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