How astrocytes maintain glucose and cholesterol homeostasis
How astrocytes in the mediobasal hypothalamus (MBH) regulate systemic glucose and cholesterol metabolism remains largely unknown.
The researchers show that astrocytic transforming growth factor β [TGF-β]-activated kinase 1 (Tak1) controls glucose and cholesterol metabolism. Tak1 is expressed in MBH astrocytes and activated after a short-term nutritional excess.
Deletion of astrocytic Tak1 across the brain or its suppression in the MBH impairs glucose tolerance, reduces insulin sensitivity, and results in hypercholesterolemia.
Tak1 is required for mitochondrial transfer from astrocytes to POMC neurons and exert its metabolic effects.
https://www.cell.com/cell-reports/fulltext/S2211-1247(24)01334-2
