Molecular connectomics reveals a glucagon-like peptide 1-sensitive neural circuit for satiety

Abstract

Liraglutide and other glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) are effective weight loss drugs, but how they suppress appetite remains unclear. One potential mechanism is by activating neurons that inhibit the hunger-promoting Agouti-related peptide (AgRP) neurons of the arcuate hypothalamus (Arc). To identify these afferents, we developed a method combining rabies-based connectomics with single-nucleus transcriptomics. Here, we identify at least 21 afferent subtypes of AgRP neurons in the mouse mediobasal and paraventricular hypothalamus, which are predicted by our method. Among these are thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH)⁺ Arc (TRH^Arc) neurons, inhibitory neurons that express the Glp1r gene and are activated by the GLP-1RA liraglutide. Activating TRH^Arc neurons inhibits AgRP neurons and feeding, probably in an AgRP neuron-dependent manner. Silencing TRH^Arc neurons causes overeating and weight gain and attenuates liraglutide’s effect on body weight. Our results demonstrate a widely applicable method for molecular connectomics, comprehensively identify local inputs to AgRP neurons and reveal a circuit through which GLP-1RAs suppress appetite.