Our study focuses on the effects of leptin signaling in carotid body (CB) on the hypoxic ventilatory response (HVR). We performed 'loss of function' experiments measuring the effect of leptin on HVR after CB denervation and 'gain of function' experiments measuring HVR after overexpression of the leptin receptor in CB.
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Method Article
Experimental Approach to Examine Leptin Signaling in the Carotid Bodies and its Effects on Control of Breathing
In This Article
Summary
Abstract
An adipocyte-produced hormone leptin is a potent respiratory stimulant, which may play an important role in defending respiratory function in obesity. The carotid bodies (CB), a key organ of peripheral hypoxic sensitivity, express the long functional isoform of leptin receptor (LepRb) but the role of leptin signaling in control of breathing has not been fully elucidated. We examined the hypoxic ventilatory response (HVR) (1) in C57BL/6J mice before and after leptin infusion at baseline and after CB denervation; (2) in LepRb-deficient obese db/db mice at baseline and after LepRb overexpression in CBs. In C57BL/6J mice, leptin increased HVR and effects of leptin on HVR were abolished by CB denervation. In db/db mice, LepRb expression in CB augmented the HVR. Therefore, we conclude that leptin acts in CB to augment responses to hypoxia.
Introduction
An adipocyte produced hormone leptin acts in the hypothalamus to suppress food intake and increase metabolic rate. Studies performed in our laboratory1,2 and by other investigators3,4 showed that leptin increases the hypercapnic ventilatory response (HVR) preventing obesity hypoventilation in leptin deficient obesity. However, a majority of obese individuals have high plasma leptin levels and demonstrate resistance to the metabolic and respiratory effects of the hormone5,6,
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Protocol
All experimental protocols have been approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (MO18M211).
1. Leptin Infusion
NOTE: In order to examine the effect of leptin on breathing, we infused leptin subcutaneously in lean C57BL/6J mice by an osmotic pump to raise circulating leptin levels to those observed in obese mice.
- Osmotic pump preparation
- Weigh the empty pump to check the net weight of the solution loaded.
- Add Leptin (5 mg/mL) to the osmotic pump (1 μL/h for 3 days). Fill the pump with a small syringe (1 mL). After filling, c....
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Results
Continuous infusion of leptin significantly increased HVR in lean C57BL/6J mice from 0.23 to 0.31 mL/min/g/ΔFiO2 (P < 0.001, Figure 2)11. CSND abolished the leptin-induced increase in HVR (Figure 2), while no attenuating effects of CSND on HVR were observed in sham surgery group after leptin infusion.
LepRb expression in the CB of LepRb-deficient obese d.......
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Discussion
The main focus of our study was to examine respiratory effects of leptin signaling in the CB. Several protocols have been developed to assess the role of leptin in a mechanistic fashion. First, specific contribution of CB to the HVR was analyzed by careful quantification of the HVR during the first 2 min of hypoxic exposure. Second, the relevance of CB in leptin-mediated up-regulation of control of breathing was examined by two complementary approaches. In lean wild-type mice with low leptin levels, the HVR was measured .......
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Disclosures
The authors have no conflicting interests or disclosures.
Acknowledgements
R01HL138932, RO1HL133100, RO1HL128970, AHACDA34700025
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Materials
| Name | Company | Catalog Number | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 mL Insulin Syringes | BD Biosciences | 309311 | |
| 1x PBS (pH 7.4) | Gibco | 10010-023 | 500 ml |
| Ad-Lacz | Dr. Christopher Rhodes (University of Chicago) | 1 x 1010 pfu/mL | |
| Ad-LepRb-GFP | Vector Biolabs | ADV-263380 | 2-5 x 1010 pfu/mL |
| Anesthetic cart | Atlantic Biomedical | ||
| Betadine | Purdue Products Ltd. | 12496-0757-5 | |
| Buprenorphine (Buprenex) | Reckitt Benckiser Healthcare Ltd. | 12496-0757-5 | 0.3 mg/mL |
| C57Bl/6J | Jackson laboratory | 000664 | Mice Strain |
| Cotton Gauze Sponges | Fisherbrand | 22-362-178 | |
| db/db | Jackson laboratory | 000697 | Mice Strain |
| Ethanol | Pharmco-AAPER | 111000200 | |
| Isoflurane | Vetone | 502017 | |
| Lab Chart | Data Science International (DSI) | Software | |
| Matrigel Matrix | BD Biosciences | 356234 | |
| Micro Spring Scissors | World Precision Instruments (WPI) | 14124 | |
| Mouse Ox Plus | STARR Life Sciences Corp. | Software | |
| Mouse Ox Plus Collar Sensor | STARR Life Sciences Corp. | 015022-2 | Medium Collar Clip Special 7” |
| Mouse Whole Body Plethysmography Chamber | Data Science International (DSI) | PLY3211 | |
| Ohio Care Plus Incubator | Ohmeda | HCHD000173 | |
| Operating Scissors | World Precision Instruments (WPI) | 501753-G | Straight |
| Osmotic Pump | Alzet | 1003D | 1 μL/h, 3 days |
| Phenol | Sigma-Aldrich | P4557 | |
| Recombinant Mouse Leptin protein | R&D systems | 498-OB-05M | 5 mg |
| Saline | RICCA Chemical | 7210-16 | 0.9% Sodium Chloride |
| Sterile Surgical Suture | DemeTech | DT-639-1 | Silk, size 6-0 |
| Thermometer | Innovative Calibration Solutions (INNOCAL) | EW 20250-91 |
References
- O'donnell, C. P., et al. Leptin prevents respiratory depression in obesity. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. 159, 1477-1484 (1999).
- Polotsky, V. Y., et al.
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