Jean-Charles Nicolas

Energy balance and obesity, Neurocentre Magendie

Title

New insights in the Functional heterogeneity of POMC neurons

Abstract

Obesity results from an imbalance in energy homeostasis and maladaptive central changes in the perception of peripheral energy state signals, with POMC neurons in the arcuate nucleus (ARC) playing a key role. Accumulating data from our laboratory suggest that the extracellular matrix (ECM), in particular perineuronal networks (PNNs), are critical regulators of POMC neuronal biology. PNNs, composed of molecules such as chondroitin sulphate proteoglycans (CSPGs), surround a subset of POMC neurons at the ARC-median eminence junction and contribute to the intrinsic functional heterogeneity of this neuronal population.  Understanding how PNNs modulate POMC neuronal activity may provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms of obesity, with potential implications for the development of novel therapeutic strategies to treat metabolic disorders.