Dopamine signaling is a crucial part of the brain reward system and can affect feeding behavior. Dopamine receptors are also expressed in the hypothalamus, which is known to control energy metabolism in peripheral tissues. Here we show that pharmacological or chemogenetic stimulation of dopamine receptor 2 (D2R) expressing cells in the lateral hypothalamic area (LHA) and the zona incerta (ZI) decreases body weight and stimulates brown fat activity in rodents in a feedingindependent manner. LHA/ZI D2R stimulation requires an intact sympathetic nervous system and orexin system to exert its action and involves inhibition of PI3K in the LHA/ZI. We further demonstrate that, as early as 3 months after onset of treatment, patients treated with the D2R agonist cabergoline experience an increase in energy expenditure that persists for one year, leading to total body weight and fat loss through a prolactin-independent mechanism. Our results may provide a mechanistic explanation for how clinically used D2R agonists act in the CNS to regulate energy balance.

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Metabolic reprogramming is considered hallmarks of cancer. Aerobic glycolysis in tumors cells has been well-known for almost a century, but specific factors that regulate lactate generation and the effects of lactate in both cancer cells and stroma are not yet well understood. In the present study using breast cancer cell lines, human primary cultures of breast tumors, and immune deficient murine models, we demonstrate that the POU1F1 transcription factor is functionally and clinically related to both metabolic reprogramming in breast cancer cells and fibroblasts activation. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that POU1F1 transcriptionally regulates the lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA) gene. LDHA catalyzes pyruvate into lactate instead of leading into the tricarboxylic acid cycle. Lactate increases breast cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. In addition, it activates normal-associated fibroblasts (NAFs) into cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). Conversely, LDHA knockdown in breast cancer cells that overexpress POU1F1 decreases tumor volume and [18F]FDG uptake in tumor xenografts of mice. Clinically, POU1F1 and LDHA expression correlate with relapse- and metastasis-free survival. Our data indicate that POU1F1 induces a metabolic reprogramming through LDHA regulation in human breast tumor cells, modifying the phenotype of both cancer cells and fibroblasts to promote cancer progression.

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The objective of this preclinical in vivo study was to determine changes in vascular inflammatory biomarkers in systemic circulation after injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) in rats. Experimental periodontitis was induced by injections of Pg-LPS. Gingival soft and hard tissues changes were analysed by means of magnetic resonance imaging and micro computed tomography. Serum levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, pentraxin (PTX) 3, and soluble fragment of tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis (sTWEAK) were determined at baseline and 24 h, 7, 14, and 21 days after periodontal induction. Significant periodontal inflammation and alveolar bone loss were evident at the end of periodontal induction. Experimental periodontitis posed an acute systemic inflammatory response with increased serum levels of IL-6 and PTX3 at 24 h post-induction, followed by a significant overexpression of sTWEAK at 7 days. This inflammatory state was maintained until the end of the experiment (21 days). As expected, IL-10 serum levels were significantly lower during the follow-up compared to baseline concentrations. In the present animal model, experimental periodontitis is associated with increased systemic inflammation. Further studies are needed to confirm whether PTX3 and sTWEAK could be useful biomarkers to investigate potential mechanisms underlying the relationship between periodontitis and atherosclerotic vascular diseases.