Direct modulation of GFAP-expressing glia in the arcuate nucleus bi-directionally regulates feeding

What is it about?

Neurons in an area of the brain called the hypothalamus control how much an animal eats. However, it is not clear what role other brain cells, such as glial cells, might play in influencing feeding. Glial cells do not send nerve impulses like neurons, but instead they mostly serve to support and protect the neurons. Now, Chen et al. changed the activity of a particular kind of glial cell, known as astrocytes, to explore what effect this has on how much mice eat. Astrocytes are unique amongst glial cells because they can respond to neuronal activity and release chemicals that change the activity of other cells, including neurons. The experiments revealed that switching astrocytes on in the hypothalamus made mice eat more, while turning them off had the opposite effect and reduced feeding. Chen et al. also found that glial cells partner with and change the activity of a particular group of neurons, known as the AgRP/NPY-expressing neurons. These neurons were already known to increase feeding activity when they become more active. In contrast, Chen et al. showed that glial cells do not affect the activity of another group of neurons, known as POMC-expressing neurons. Previous research had shown that mice eat less when their POMC-neurons are more active. Together the findings reveal that, within the hypothalamus, an interaction between glial cells and neurons influences how much an animal will eat. Further work is now required to understand the exact interaction between the glial cells and neurons, and to find out if other kinds of glial cells also have a role in controlling feeding.

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