Open AccessRegulation of leptin receptor‐expressing neurons in the brainstem by TRPV 1
Author(s) -
Zsombok Andrea,
Jiang Yanyan,
Gao Hong,
Anwar Imran J.,
RezaiZadeh Kavon,
Enix Courtney L.,
Münzberg Heike,
Derbenev Andrei V.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
physiological reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.918
H-Index - 39
ISSN - 2051-817X
DOI - 10.14814/phy2.12160
Subject(s) - trpv1 , dorsal motor nucleus , neurotransmission , excitatory postsynaptic potential , brainstem , neuroscience , postsynaptic potential , inhibitory postsynaptic potential , vagus nerve , biology , premovement neuronal activity , medicine , endocrinology , chemistry , transient receptor potential channel , receptor , stimulation
The central nervous system plays a critical role in the regulation of feeding behavior and whole‐body metabolism via controlling the autonomic output to the visceral organs. Activity of the parasympathetic neurons in the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus ( DMV ) determines the vagal tone and thereby modulates the function of the subdiaphragmatic organs. Leptin is highly involved in the regulation of food intake and alters neuronal excitability of brainstem neurons. Transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 ( TRPV 1) has also been shown to increase neurotransmission in the brainstem and we tested the hypothesis that TRPV 1 regulates presynaptic neurotransmitter release to leptin receptor‐expressing (LepRb EGFP ) DMV neurons. Whole‐cell patch‐clamp recordings were performed to determine the effect of TRPV 1 activation on excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic currents ( EPSC , IPSC ) of LepRb EGFP neurons in the DMV . Capsaicin, a TRPV 1 agonist increased the frequency of miniature EPSC s in 50% of LepRb EGFP neurons without altering the frequency of miniature IPSC s in the DMV . Stomach‐projecting LepRb EGFP neurons were identified in the DMV using the transsynaptic retrograde viral tracer PRV ‐614. Activation of TRPV 1 increased the frequency of mEPSC in ~50% of stomach‐related LepRb EGFP DMV neurons. These data demonstrate that TRPV 1 increases excitatory neurotransmission to a subpopulation of LepRb EGFP DMV neurons via presynaptic mechanisms and suggest a potential interaction between TRPV 1 and leptin signaling in the DMV .