Mendes, N. F. | bioRxiv Science

bioRxiv2023

LRP1 mediates leptin transport by coupling with the short-form leptin receptor in the choroid plexus

Adipocyte-derived leptin enters the brain to exert its anorexigenic action, yet its transport mechanism is poorly understood. Here we report that LRP1 (low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein-1) mediates the transport of leptin across the blood-CSF barrier in Foxj1 expressing cells highly enriched at the choroid plexus (ChP), coupled with the short-form leptin receptor, and LRP1 deletion from ependymocytes and ChP cells leads to leptin resistance and hyperphagia, causing obesity. Thus, LRP1 in epithelial cells is a principal regulator of leptin transport in the brain.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2020

Glutamic acid promotes hair growth in mice

Glutamic Acid is the main excitatory neurotransmitter in neurons. Abnormal distributions of the glutamic acid receptors have been shown in hyper proliferative models such as psoriasis and skin regeneration. However, the biological function of glutamic acid in the skin remains unclear. Using ex vivo, in vivo and in silico approaches, we showed for the first time that exogenous glutamic acid promotes hair growth and keratinocyte proliferation. Topical application of glutamic acid decreased expression of genes related to apoptosis signaling in the skin. Also, we showed Glutamic acid increased viability and proliferation in cultured human keratinocyte. For the first time, we identified the excitotoxic GA concentration and we provided evidence for the existence of a novel skin signaling pathway mediated by a neurotransmitter controlling keratinocyte and hair follicle proliferation. In perspective, we anticipate our results could be the starting point to elucidate how exogenous glutamic acid from food intake or even endogenous GA from neuropsychiatric disorders modulate skin diseases.

pharmacology and toxicology↗