Now for the first time, researchers from Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, have shown that in addition to being critical for regulating thyroid hormone levels, thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) neurons play a major role in the response to fasting and weight loss.
To test this function, the researchers used a chemogenetic approach (engineering of protein receptors to respond to previously unrecognized small molecules) to either stimulate or inhibit specific neuronal populations. They injected an experimental model with an adeno-associated virus (AAV) coding for a mutant receptor activated exclusively by an exogenous compound into specific areas of the brain.
By associating this procedure with genetically modified experimental models, the researchers were able to control the activity of TRH neurons in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus and of agouti-relate protein/neuropeptide Y (AgRP/NPY) neurons of the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus.
“It allowed us to show that TRH neuron suppression and AgRP/NPY neuron activation play a major role in the organism’s response to negative energy balance, such as fasting,” explained corresponding author Anthony Hollenberg, MD, the John Wade Professor of Medicine and chair at the School.
According to the researchers, by controlling the activity of these neurons they were able to change the entire endocrine system related to the thyroid. “Probing deeper into these findings will lead to new knowledge with potential application to metabolic and thyroid-related diseases, such as obesity and central hypothyroidism,” adds Hollenberg, who also is physician-in-chief at Boston Medical Center.
These findings appear online in the journal Thyroid.
PackGene is a CRO & CDMO technology company that specializes in packaging recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vectors. Since its establishment in 2014, PackGene has been a leader in the AAV vector CRO service field, providing tens of thousands of custom batches of AAV samples to customers in over 20 countries. PackGene offers a one-stop CMC solution for the early development, pre-clinical development, clinical trials, and drug approval of rAAV vector drugs for cell and gene therapy (CGT) companies that is fast, cost-effective, high-quality, and scalable. Additionally, the company provides compliant services for the GMP-scale production of AAVs and plasmids for pharmaceutical companies, utilizing five technology platforms, including the π-Alpha™ 293 cell AAV high-yield platform and the π-Omega™ plasmid high-yield platform. PackGene’s mission is to make gene therapy affordable and accelerate the launch of innovative gene drugs. The company aims to simplify the challenging aspects of gene therapy development and industrialization processes and provide stable, efficient, and economical rAAV Fast Services to accelerate gene and cell therapy development efforts from discovery phase to commercialization.
Related News
Skyline Therapeutics Receives FDA Orphan Drug Designation for Gene Therapy for Retinitis Pigmentosa
BOSTON & SHANGHAI, September 2, 2024 – Skyline Therapeutics, a gene therapy company focused on innovative treatments for rare and severe diseases, announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) for SKG1108....
Novavax Receives Emergency Use Authorization for Updated Covid-19 Vaccine
Novavax has received emergency use authorization (EUA) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its updated Covid-19 vaccine, NVX-CoV2705, joining other vaccine manufacturers in addressing evolving virus variants. The EUA permits the use of Novavax's...
Turn Biotechnologies Reports Historic Skin Cell Rejuvenation Breakthroughs at ESDR this Week
Company will present data from its successful rejuvenation of fibroblasts and keratinocytes to influential gathering of international dermatologists MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Turn Biotechnologies, a developer of novel mRNA medicines and...
H5 influenza vaccines: What needs to be done to reduce the risk of a pandemic
As the global threat of H5N1 influenza looms with outbreaks across species and continents including the U.S., three international vaccine and public health experts say it is time to fully resource and support a robust strategy to address this and future potential...
Related Services
AAV Packaging - NHP Grade
READ MORE
Off the Shelf AAV Products
We offer a wide catalogue of pre-made AAVs for a multitude of research needs.
READ MORE
AAV Capsid Engineering
Proven technology paving your path to effective therapies for cancer or genetic disorder
READ MORE