Role of astrocyte CB1 receptor in the regulation of energy balance

Proper functioning of astrocytes and of the endocannabinoid system in the hypothalamus has been strongly linked to feeding behaviour and energy balance in mice. Furthermore, a strong molecular link has been found to connect cannabinoid receptors to leptin (a hunger hormone) receptors in hypothalamic astrocytes. Specifically, deletion of cannabinoid receptors in hypothalamic astrocytes disrupted the formation of leptin receptors and their signalling pathway. The objective of this project is to test the importance of astrocyte cannabinoid receptors in feeding behaviour. The mouse model used for the project permits the inducible deletion of cannabinoid receptors (CB1) in astrocytes, specifically. These CB1 knockout mice will be treated in vivo with a variety of metabolic challenges including fasting and refeeding, acute leptin injection and exposure to high fat diet. TO BE CONT’D

Faculty Supervisor:

Jaideep Bains

Student:

Partner:

Université de Bordeaux

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

University:

University of Calgary

Program:

Globalink Research Award