Lab Recent Publications
Since 2016, the MAlab identifies how obesity and diet impacts sensory neurons and physiology
Fecal microbiome transplantation and tributyrin improves early cardiac... 2 March 2023
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.
Read more >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.
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Communication between the gut microbiota and peripheral nervous... 1 May 2022
In this review, we cover the general anatomy and function of the PNS, and then we discuss how the molecules secreted or stimulated by gut microbes signal through the PNS to alter host development and physiology.
LXR agonist Prevents Peripheral Neuropathy and modifies PNS... 22 February 2022
Our results suggest that activation of the LXR may block the progression of neuropathy associated with aging by modifying nerve-immune cell cholesterol, thereby providing new pathways to target in efforts to delay neuropathy during aging.
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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.
Read more >GnRH neurons recruit astrocytes in infancy to facilitate... 24 January 2022
These findings uncover a previously unknown neuron-to-neural-progenitor communication pathway and demonstrate that postnatal astrogenesis is a basic component of a complex set of mechanisms used by the neuroendocrine brain to control sexual maturation.
Read more >Vagal free fatty acid receptor (FFAR3), is necessary... 30 September 2021
Our data demonstrate that FFAR3 expressed in vagal neurons regulates feeding behavior and mediates propionate-induced decrease in food intake.
Read more >Monitoring of Inflammation Reveals Tissue and Sex-specific Responses... 30 May 2022
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.
Read more >Fecal Transplantation and Butyrate Improve Neuropathic Pain, Modify... 15 October 2020
Circulating butyrate, a metabolite secreted by gut microbiome and absorbed in the blood stream, may be involved by acting directly on peripheral nerve system immune cells and gene expression or pain channels.
Read more >Loss of C2-domain protein (C2CD5) Alters Hypothalamic Mitochondrial... 15 May 2021
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.
Read more >Hypothalamic C2-domain protein involved in MC4R trafficking and... 29 September 2019
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.
Read more >The lipid sensor LXRs protect small sensory neurons... 29 September 2018
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.
Read more >Neuronal LXR Regulates Neuregulin 1 Expression and Sciatic... 17 April 2020
Neuronal LXRs may regulate non-neuronal cell function via a Nrg1-dependent mechanism. The decrease in Nrg1 expression in DRG neurons of WD-fed mice may suggest an altered Nrg1-dependent neuron-SC communication in Obesity. The communication between neurons and non-neuronal cells such as SC could be a new biological pathway to study and understand the molecular and cellular mechanism underlying Obesity-associated neuropathy and PNS dysfunction.
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