Metabolic Syndrome/Obesity

The lipid sensor LXRs protect small sensory neurons... 29 September 2018

Chaitanya Gavini, Raiza Bonomo, Laurent Gautron, Angie Bookout, Syann Lee and Virginie Mansuy-Aubert

Our findings suggest that lipid-binding nuclear receptors expressed in the sensory neurons of the DRG play a role in the onset of obesity-induced hypersensitivity. The LXR and lipid-sensor pathways represent a research avenue to identify targets to prevent debilitating complications affecting the peripheral nerve system in obesity.

Hypothalamic C2-domain protein involved in MC4R trafficking and... 29 September 2019

Chaitanya Gavini, Tyler Cook, David Rademacher and Virginie Mansuy-Aubert

Hypothalamic C2CD5 is involved in MC4R endocytosis and regulate bodyweight homeostasis. These studies suggest that C2CD5 represents a new protein regulated by metabolic cues and involved in metabolic receptor endocytosis. C2CD5 represent a new target and pathway that could be targeted in Obesity.

Loss of C2-domain protein (C2CD5) Alters Hypothalamic Mitochondrial... 15 May 2021

C. Gavini, C. White, V.M. Aubert and G. Aubert

C2CD5 is a new protein necessary for normal mitochondrial function in the hypothalamus. Its loss alters mitochondrial ultrastructure, localization, and activity within the hypothalamic neurons. C2CD5 may represent a new protein linking hypothalamic dysfunction, mitochondria, and obesity.

Monitoring of Inflammation Reveals Tissue and Sex-specific Responses... 30 May 2022

Raiza Bonomo, Sarah Talley, Jomana Hatahet, Chaitanya Gavini, Tyler Cook, Ben Chun, Pete Kekenes-Huskey, Gregory Aubert, Edward Campbell, Virginie Mansuy-Aubert

We observed tissue- and sex- specific caspase-1 activation patterns in obese mice and treated with butyrate. Our work utilizing a caspase-1 biosensor mouse model, flow cytometry and computational analyses and offers new mechanistic insights underlying the effect of butyrate in obesity and its complications.

Obesity-Associated Neuropathy: Recent Preclinical Studies and Proposed Mechanisms 26 February 2022

In this review, we focus on interventions and their mechanisms that are shown to ameliorate neuropathy in MetS obese models including: (i) inhibition of a sensory neuron population, (ii), modification of dietary components, (iii) activation of nuclear and mitochondrial lipid pathways, (iv) exercise, (v) modulation of gut microbiome composition and their metabolites.

Vagal free fatty acid receptor (FFAR3), is necessary... 30 September 2021

Tyler M. Cook, Chaitanya K. Gavini, Jason Jesse, Gregory Aubert, Emily Gornick, Raiza Bonomo, Laurent Gautron, Brian T. Layden, Virginie Mansuy-Aubert

Our data demonstrate that FFAR3 expressed in vagal neurons regulates feeding behavior and mediates propionate-induced decrease in food intake.

Communication between the gut microbiota and peripheral nervous... 1 May 2022

Tyler Cook, Virginie M. Aubert

Editorial: Neural Control of Energy Homeostasis and Energy... 1 May 2022

Editorial on the Research Topic
Neural Control of Energy Homeostasis and Energy Homeostasis Regulation of Brain Function

LXR agonist modifies neuronal lipid homeostasis and decreases... 12 October 2022

GW3965 decreased prostaglandin levels and decreased free fatty acid content, while increasing lysophosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylcholine, and cholesterol ester species in the sensory neurons of the dorsal root ganglia (DRG). These data suggest novel downstream interplaying mechanisms that modifies DRG neuronal lipid following GW3965 treatment.

Fecal microbiome transplantation and tributyrin improves early cardiac... 2 March 2023

Fecal microbiome transplantation and tributyrin improves early cardiac dysfunction and modifies the BCAA metabolic pathway in a diet induced pre-HFpEF mouse model

More than 50% of patients with heart failure present with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), and 80% of them are overweight or obese. In this study we developed an obesity associated pre-HFpEF mouse model and showed an improvement in both systolic and diastolic early dysfunction following fecal microbiome transplant (FMT). Our study suggests that the gut microbiome-derived short-chain fatty acid butyrate plays a significant role in this improvement.