Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) is a cytokine that reduces food intake through activation of hindbrain GFRAL-RET receptors and has become a keen target of interest for anti-obesity therapies. Elevated endogenous GDF15 is associated with energy balance disturbances, cancer progression, chemotherapy-induced anorexia, and morning sickness. We hypothesized that GDF15 causes emesis and that its anorectic effects are related to this function. Here, we examined feeding

The glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonist liraglutide is approved for the treatment of obesity; however, there is still much to be learned regarding the neuronal sites of action that underlie its suppressive effects on food intake and body weight. Peripherally administered liraglutide in rats acts in part through central GLP-1Rs in both the hypothalamus and the hindbrain. Here, we extend findings supporting a role for hindbrain GLP-1Rs in mediating the anorectic effects of liraglutide in male rats. To dissociate the contribution of GLP-1Rs in the area postrema (AP) and the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS), we examined the effects of liraglutide in both NTS AAV-shRNA–driven Glp1r knockdown and AP-lesioned animals. Knockdown of NTS GLP-1Rs, but not surgical lesioning of the AP, attenuated the anorectic and body weight–reducing effects of acutely delivered liraglutide. In addition, NTS c-Fos responses were maintained in AP-lesioned animals. Moreover, NTS Glp1r knockdown was sufficient to attenuate the intake- and body weight–reducing effects of chronic daily administered liraglutide over 3 weeks. Development of improved obesity pharmacotherapies requires an understanding of the cellular phenotypes targeted by GLP-1R agonists. Fluorescence in situ hybridization identified Glp1r transcripts in NTS GABAergic neurons, which when inhibited using chemogenetics, attenuated the food intake– and body weight–reducing effects of liraglutide. This work demonstrates the contribution of NTS GLP-1Rs to the anorectic potential of liraglutide and highlights a phenotypically distinct (GABAergic) population of neurons within the NTS that express the GLP-1R and are involved in the mediation of liraglutide signaling.

Experimental models and experimental designsAll procedures were approved by the Institutional Care and Use Committee of the University of Pennsylvania and Eli Lilly and Company. Adult male C57BL/6 mice (Taconic) weighing ~20g at arrival (n=84) were housed under a 12-hour:12-hour light/dark cycle in a temperature-and humidity-controlled vivarium. Mice were individually housed in standard cages with ad libitum access to chow diet (2014, Research Diets) and tap water for all experiments except when noted.Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (Charles River) weighing ~250-270 g (n=93) at arrival were housed under a 12-hour:12-hour light/dark cycle in a temperature-and humidity-controlled vivarium. Rats were individually housed in hanging wire-bottomed cage with ad libitum access to chow diet (Purina Lab Diet 5001), tap water and also had ad libitum access to kaolin pellets (Research Diets, K50001). Rats were exposed to kaolin for at least 5 days prior to measuring kaolin consumption in pica testing.Adult male shrews (Suncus murinus) weighing ~50-80 g (n=118 total), where bred and

Highlights d Acute GDF15 systemic delivery induces visceral malaise, anorexia, and body weight loss d Chronic GDF15 exposure triggers visceral malaise that does not decline over time d GDF15 conditions food-aversive responses persisting beyond its acute anorectic action d GDF15's visceral malaise and anorectic effects do not require slowed gastric emptying