Completing the Loop: Neuron-Adipocyte Interactions and the Control of Energy Homeostasis (original) (raw)

Horm Metab Res 2002; 34(11/12): 607-615
DOI: 10.1055/s-2002-38245

Review

© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Further Information

Publication History

Received 7 October 2002

Accepted after revision 19 November 2002

Publication Date:
27 March 2003 (online)

Abstract

Control of energy homeostasis requires communication between the brain and adipose tissue. The sympathetic nervous system plays an integral role in relaying information during this process. Recent investigations indicate that the contributions of the sympathetic nervous system to the regulation of adipose tissue are greater than initially appreciated. A recently developed co-culture system provides evidence that a local feedback loop may exist between sympathetic neurons and adipose tissue. The co-culture approach may prove useful in further investigations of the interaction between sympathetic neurons and adipocytes, and might be adapted to study interactions between other types of neurons and adipose tissue.

Key words

3T3-L1 - Adipose Tissue - Co-Culture - Neuropeptide Y - Norepinephrine - Sympathetic Neuron - Sympathetic Nervous System

References

L. C. Turtzo

Department of Biological Chemistry

Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine · 725 North Wolfe Street · Baltimore, MD 21205 · USA ·

Phone: + 1 (410) 955-3975

Fax: + 1 (410) 955-0903

Email: lturtzo@jhmi.edu