Neuropeptide oxytocin facilitates its own brain-to-periphery uptake
Preethi Rajamannar1, Janna Blechman1, Oren Raz2
1Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, PO Box 26, Rehovot 7610001, Israel; Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Weizmann Institute of Science, PO Box 26, Rehovot 7610001, Israel.
Cell Reports
|April 4, 2025
Summary
This study reveals how oxytocin and vasopressin neurohormones are rapidly transported from the brain. Oxytocin-dependent neurovascular coupling enhances hormone uptake into circulation.
Area of Science:
- Neuroendocrinology
- Vascular Biology
- Physiology
Background:
- The hypothalamo-neurohypophyseal system releases oxytocin and vasopressin, crucial for salt balance and reproduction.
- The exact mechanism for rapid neurohormone transport to the periphery is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the mechanism of rapid neurohormone transport from the brain to circulation.
- To investigate the role of oxytocin in regulating neurohypophyseal blood flow and capillary permeability.
Main Methods:
- Live imaging in zebrafish.
- Hyperosmotic physiological challenge.
- Optogenetic stimulation of oxytocin neurons.
- Genetic ablation of oxytocin neurons.
- Inhibition of oxytocin receptor signaling.
Main Results:
- Osmotic challenge and oxytocin neuron stimulation increased neurohypophyseal blood flow and altered capillary diameter.
- These vascular changes are dependent on the hypophyseal vascular microcircuit geometry.
- Oxytocin signaling mediates increased neurohypophyseal capillary permeability.
- Genetic/pharmacological disruption of oxytocin signaling attenuated vascular responses.
Conclusions:
- Oxytocin-dependent neurovascular coupling facilitates efficient hormone uptake into circulation.
- A stimulus-secretion-uptake mechanism for peripheral hormone transfer is proposed.
- This mechanism ensures rapid and effective delivery of neurohormones.
Keywords:
CP: Neurosciencearginine vasopressinneuroendocrineneurohemalneurohormonesneurohypophysisneurosecretionneurovascularoxytocinpituitaryzebrafishMore Related Videos
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