Horm Metab Res 2013; 45(13): 955-959
DOI: 10.1055/s-0033-1355357
Review
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Hypothalamic Glucose-sensing: Role of Glia-to-Neuron Signaling

M. C. Tonon
1   Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (Inserm), Mont-Saint-Aignan, France
2   Institute for Research and Innovation in Biomedicine (IRIB), Normandy University, Mont-Saint-Aignan, France
3   Laboratory of Neuronal and Neuroendocrine Differentiation and Communication, Rouen University, Mont-Saint-Aignan, France
,
D. Lanfray
1   Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (Inserm), Mont-Saint-Aignan, France
2   Institute for Research and Innovation in Biomedicine (IRIB), Normandy University, Mont-Saint-Aignan, France
3   Laboratory of Neuronal and Neuroendocrine Differentiation and Communication, Rouen University, Mont-Saint-Aignan, France
4   Faculty of Medicine, University Institute of Cardiology and Pneumology of Quebec, University of Laval, Quebec, Canada
,
H. Castel
1   Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (Inserm), Mont-Saint-Aignan, France
2   Institute for Research and Innovation in Biomedicine (IRIB), Normandy University, Mont-Saint-Aignan, France
3   Laboratory of Neuronal and Neuroendocrine Differentiation and Communication, Rouen University, Mont-Saint-Aignan, France
,
H. Vaudry
1   Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (Inserm), Mont-Saint-Aignan, France
2   Institute for Research and Innovation in Biomedicine (IRIB), Normandy University, Mont-Saint-Aignan, France
3   Laboratory of Neuronal and Neuroendocrine Differentiation and Communication, Rouen University, Mont-Saint-Aignan, France
,
F. Morin
1   Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (Inserm), Mont-Saint-Aignan, France
2   Institute for Research and Innovation in Biomedicine (IRIB), Normandy University, Mont-Saint-Aignan, France
3   Laboratory of Neuronal and Neuroendocrine Differentiation and Communication, Rouen University, Mont-Saint-Aignan, France
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

received 17 May 2013

accepted 19 August 2013

Publication Date:
23 September 2013 (online)

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Abstract

The hypothalamus senses hormones and nutrients in order to regulate energy balance. In particular, detection of hypothalamic glucose levels has been shown to regulate both feeding behavior and peripheral glucose homeostasis, and impairment of this regulatory system is believed to be involved in the development of obesity and diabetes. Several data clearly demonstrate that glial cells are key elements in the perception of glucose, constituting with neurons a “glucose-sensing unit”. Characterization of this interplay between glia and neurons represents an exciting challenge, and will undoubtedly contribute to identify new candidates for therapeutic intervention. The purpose of this review is to summarize the current data that stress the importance of glia in central glucose-sensing. The nature of the glia-to-neuron signaling is discussed, with a special focus on the endozepine ODN, a potent anorexigenic peptide that is highly expressed in hypothalamic glia.

Supporting Information