Regulation of central melanocortin signaling by interleukin-1β

Jarrad M. Scarlett, Erin E. Jobst, Pablo J. Enriori, Darren D. Bowe, Ayesha K. Batra, Wilmon F. Grant, Michael A. Cowley, Daniel L. Marks

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

124 Scopus citations

Abstract

Anorexia and involuntary weight loss are common and debilitating complications of a number of chronic diseases and inflammatory states. Proinflammatory cytokines, including IL-1β, are hypothesized to mediate these responses through direct actions on the central nervous system. However, the neural circuits through which proinflammatory cytokines regulate food intake and energy balance remain to be characterized. Here we report that IL-1β activates the central melanocortin system, a key neuronal circuit in the regulation of energy homeostasis. Proopiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus (ARC) were found to express the type I IL-1 receptor. Intracerebroventricular injection of IL-1β induced the expression of Fos protein in ARC POMC neurons but not in POMC neurons in the commissural nucleus of the tractus solitarius. We further show that IL-1β increases the frequency of action potentials of ARC POMC neurons and stimulates the release of α-MSH from hypothalamic explants in a dose-dependent fashion. Collectively, our data support a model in which IL-1β increases central melanocortin signaling by activating a subpopulation of hypothalamic POMC neurons and stimulating their release of α-MSH.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)4217-4225
Number of pages9
JournalEndocrinology
Volume148
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2007

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Endocrinology

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