Dissecting and leveraging glucagon-like peptide-1 brain pathways in obesity

Obesity is a major health challenge in the EU and globally, and yet the best drug therapies achieve only modest reductions in weight loss and require life-long treatment.

To prevent and treat obesity it is crucial we understand the neural pathways controlling appetite and how they can be ‘hijacked’ therapeutically. The brain glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP1) system is a promising target.

GLP1 receptor agonists (GLP1RAs) decrease food intake and bodyweight in obese patients, effects which are mediated by two brain regions: the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus (Arc) and the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS).

This project, Ob_GLP1, combines the neuroscience background of Dr Holt with the next-generation technology and imaging expertise of Dr Hodson to test the hypothesis that obesity disrupts the function of GLP1RA-responsive Arc and NTS circuits and that obesity can be rescued by selectively targeting intracellular signalling in GLP1RA-activated neurons.

This hypothesis will be tested through the completion of four independent, yet complementary work packages.

Work package 1-3 will determine the effect of obesity on 1) GLP1RA access to the Arc and NTS measured using fluorescently labelled GLP1R antagonist and whole-brain light-sheet microscopy; 2) the molecular distribution and oligomerisation state of GLP1Rs in the Arc and NTS; and 3) the innervation pattern and synaptic density of Arc and NTS GLP1R neurons.

Work package 4 will assess the potential of a novel GLP1-conjugated antisense nucleotide as an effective anti-obesity treatment.

Ob_GLP1 will advance our knowledge of the brain’s control over obesity, while allowing Dr Holt to reintegrate into the European research environment and will facilitate substantial two-way transfer of knowledge between the host lab and Dr Holt, ultimately benefitting both parties, as well as society as a whole.