Glp1r-Lepr coexpressing neurons modulate the suppression of food intake and body weight by a GLP-1/leptin dual agonist

Abstract

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and leptin signal recent feeding and long-term energy stores, respectively, and play complementary roles in the modulation of energy balance. Previous work using single-cell techniques in mice revealed the existence of a population of leptin receptor (Lepr)-containing dorsomedial hypothalamus (DMH) neurons marked by the expression of GLP-1 receptor (Glp1r; LepR^Glp1r neurons) that play important roles in the control of feeding and body weight by leptin. Here, we demonstrate the existence of a population of LepR^Glp1r neurons in the DMHs of nonhuman primates (NHPs), suggesting the potential translational relevance of these neurons. Consequently, we developed a GLP-1R/LepR dual agonist and demonstrated the physiological activity of both components in vivo using leptin-deficient and Lepr-deficient murine models. We further found roles for LepR^Glp1r neurons in mediating the dual agonist's efficacy on food intake and body weight loss. Ablating Lepr in Glp1r-expressing neurons (Lepr^Glp1rKO mice) abrogated the suppression of food intake by the dual agonist. Furthermore, reactivation of Glp1r expression in Lepr neurons on an otherwise Glp1r-null background (Glp1r^LeprRe mice) was sufficient to permit the suppression of food intake and body weight by the dual agonist. Hence, LepR^Glp1r neurons represent targets for a GLP-1R/LepR dual agonist that potently reduces food intake and body weight.