The Emerging Therapeutic Potential of Kisspeptin and Neurokinin B

Abstract

Kisspeptin (KP) and neurokinin B (NKB) are neuropeptides that govern the reproductive endocrine axis through regulating hypothalamic gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neuronal activity and pulsatile GnRH secretion. Their critical role in reproductive health was first identified after inactivating variants in genes encoding for KP or NKB signaling were shown to result in congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (CHH) and a failure of pubertal development. Over the past two decades since their discovery, a wealth of evidence from both basic and translational research has laid the foundation for potential therapeutic applications. Beyond KP’s function in the hypothalamus, it is also expressed in the placenta, liver, pancreas, adipose tissue, bone, and limbic regions, giving rise to several avenues of research for use in the diagnosis and treatment of pregnancy, metabolic, liver, bone, and behavioral disorders. The role played by NKB in stimulating the hypothalamic thermoregulatory center to mediate menopausal hot flashes has led to the development of medications that antagonize its action as a novel non-steroidal therapeutic agent for this indication. Furthermore, the ability of NKB antagonism to partially suppress (but not abolish) the reproductive endocrine axis has supported its potential use for the treatment of various reproductive disorders including polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), uterine fibroids, and endometriosis. This review will provide a comprehensive up-to-date overview of the preclinical and clinical data that have paved the way for the development of diagnostic and therapeutic applications of KP and NKB.

Astrocytes: a star emerges in the control of reproductive hormones

“…Conversely, excess kisspeptin signaling results in early activation of the reproductive endocrine axis and precocious puberty ( 3 ). Following a plethora of further research across several species, kisspeptin is now recognized to be a key regulator of reproductive hormones and controls the secretion of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) from dedicated neurons in the hypothalamus ( 4 , 5 ).…”

Unveiling the Effects of Copper Ions in the Aggregation of Amyloidogenic Proteins

“…Neurokinin B (NKB) is a decapeptide (DMHDFFVGLM-amide) that plays a significant role in the nervous system [ 134 ]. It is a member of the tachykinin family of peptides.…”