Biology subjects

Brierley, D. I.

Publications and source records attributed to Brierley, D. I..

5 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Semaglutide-induced satiation, nausea, and food reward suppression are mediated by GLP-1 receptors in the area postrema

The GLP-1-based obesity drug semaglutide lowers bodyweight primarily by increasing satiation and satiety, whilst also reducing food reward and commonly causing nausea. The brainstem dorsal vagal complex (DVC) has been identified as a key site of action for these phenotypic components of semaglutides anorectic effect. However, which GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) populations within the DVC are recruited to mediate these phenotypic components, and whether they are dissociable, are translationally important but unresolved questions. We addressed these using metabolic and behavioural phenotyping, combined with activity-dependent genetic labelling ( Sema-TRAP) and chemogenetic manipulation of semaglutide-recruited brainstem circuits. Semaglutide potentiated satiation and satiety, caused behavioural proxies of nausea, and suppressed motivation for Western diet, in a largely sex-independent manner. It activated a substantial proportion of GLP-1R-expressing neurons in the brainstem area postrema (AP), but surprisingly most semaglutide-activated neurons in the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) did not express GLP-1R. Chemogenetic reactivation of Sema-TRAP neurons in the NTS alone was sufficient to recapitulate the acute effects of semaglutide on satiation, nausea, food reward, and bodyweight. Knockdown of GLP-1R expression in the AP before Sema-TRAPing abolished the recruitment of Sema-TRAPNTS neurons which elicited all these effects, while leaving the effects of semaglutide on satiety and bodyweight intact. These data demonstrate that semaglutide recruits dissociable anorectic circuits to suppress eating via distinct behavioural mechanisms, with non-GLP-1R NTS neurons downstream of GLP-1RAP representing potential therapeutic targets to tune GLP-1-based obesity drugs towards a better-tolerated effect profile.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2026

Opposing GIPR brainstem circuits differentially control feeding behaviour

Central glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide receptor (GIPR) signalling is required for the efficacy of GIP-based obesity therapeutics, yet how distinct subpopulations of GIPR neurons shape appetite remains undefined. Here we show that GIPR neurons in adjacent brainstem nuclei, the area postrema (AP) and nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS), exert opposing control over ingestion. We find GIPRAP neurons dampen post-ingestive satiation, permitting hyperphagia, whereas GIPRNTS neurons are anorectic. In line with this model, we show Gipr expression in AP, but not NTS, neurons is necessary for appetite suppression following GIPR antagonism. Additionally, we reveal that GIPR neurons in the AP and NTS occupy distinct gut-brain circuits, and are differentially sensitive to obesity-driven circuit remodelling. These data offer a framework for understanding how current GIPR agonist and antagonist strategies elicit weight loss.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2025

Brainstem GLP-1 neurons modulate physiological satiation and drive sustained weight loss in obese mice

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) activation in the brain strongly reduces appetite, but most brain GLP-1Rs are not accessible for systemically administered GLP-1R agonists. Acute activation of nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) GLP-1 neurons, targeting brain GLP-1Rs, strongly suppresses food intake separate from GLP-1R agonists. However, it is unknown if their chronic stimulation is a viable strategy for appetite suppression, or if obesity disrupts their function. Here we demonstrate that GLP-1 neurons, distributed through NTS and IRT, determine meal size and their number is inversely correlated with bodyweight gain. GLP-1 neurons in IRT and NTS differ in their inputs but generate outputs in largely overlapping areas. Higher body weight and fat mass predicts a higher percentage of active GLP-1 neurons. Their chemogenetic activation is an efficient means of reducing food intake, and in obese mice chronic activation elicits sustained weight loss. In conclusion, GLP-1 neurons are a feasible target for obesity treatment.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2022

Obesity medication lorcaserin requires brainstem GLP-1 neurons to reduce food intake in mice

Overweight and obesity are rapidly becoming the "new normal" in developed countries, which promotes a widespread negative impact on human health. Amongst recently developed obesity medications are the serotonin 2C receptor (5-HT2CR) agonist lorcaserin and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonists, but the brain circuits employed by these medications to produce their therapeutic effects remain to be fully defined. 5-HT2CRs and GLP-1Rs are widely distributed in the brain, including in the key homeostatic region the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) where GLP-1 is produced by preproglucagon (PPGNTS) neurons. PPGNTS cells were profiled using histochemistry and single nucleus RNA sequencing (Nuc-Seq) of mouse brainstem. Transcriptomic analyses revealed 5-HT2CR expression was widespread in PPGNTS clusters. Demonstrating the functional significance of this co-expression, lorcaserin required PPGNTS to reduce food intake. Analysis of second order neurons revealed that local GLP1-R neurons within the NTS are necessary for 5-HT2CRNTS food intake suppression. In contrast, GLP-1RNTS were not required for GLP-1R agonist liraglutide and exendin-4s short term feeding reduction, suggesting scope for lorcaserin and GLP1-R agonist combination therapy. In support of this, lorcaserin+liraglutide and lorcaserin+exendin-4 produced greater reductions in food intake when administered in combination as compared to monotherapies. These data provide insight into the therapeutic mechanisms of lorcaserin and identify a combination strategy to improve the therapeutic profile of lorcaserin and GLP1-R agonists.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2020

Central and peripheral GLP-1 systems independently and additively suppress eating

The anorexigenic peptide glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is secreted from gut enteroendocrine cells and brain preproglucagon (PPG) neurons, which respectively define the peripheral and central GLP-1 systems. As peripheral satiation signals are integrated in the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS), PPGNTS neurons are assumed to link the peripheral and central GLP-1 systems, forming a unified GLP-1 gut-brain satiation circuit. This hypothesis, however, remains unsubstantiated. We report that PPGNTS neurons encode satiation in mice, consistent with vagal gastrointestinal distension signalling. However, PPGNTS neurons predominantly receive vagal input from oxytocin receptor-expressing vagal neurons, rather than those expressing GLP-1 receptors. Furthermore, PPGNTS neurons are not necessary for eating suppression induced by the GLP-1 receptor agonists liraglutide or semaglutide, and semaglutide and PPGNTS neuron activation additively suppress eating. Central and peripheral GLP-1 systems thus suppress eating via independent gut-brain circuits, hence PPGNTS neurons represent a rational pharmacological target for anti-obesity combination therapy with GLP-1 receptor agonists. O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=200 SRC="FIGDIR/small/234427v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (41K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1c7643aorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@18520daorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@12fc8fdorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@34809b_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG Graphical Abstract: C_FIG

neuroscience↗