Hypothalamic ventromedial COUP-TFII protects against hypoglycemia-associated autonomic failure

Abstract

The nuclear receptor Chicken Ovalbumin Upstream Promoter-Transcription Factor II (COUP-TFII) is an important coordinator of glucose homeostasis through its function in different organs such as the endocrine pancreas, adipose tissue, skeletal muscle, and liver. Recently we have demonstrated that COUP-TFII expression in the hypothalamus is restricted to a subpopulation of neurons expressing the steroidogenic factor 1 transcription factor, known to play a crucial role in glucose homeostasis. To understand the functional significance of COUP-TFII expression in the steroidogenic factor 1 neurons, we generated hypothalamic ventromedial nucleus-specific COUP-TFII KO mice using the cyclization recombination/locus of X-overP1 technology. The heterozygous mutant mice display insulin hypersensitivity and a leaner phenotype associated with increased energy expenditure and similar food intake. These mutant mice also present a defective counterregulation to hypoglycemia with altered glucagon secretion. Moreover, the mutant mice are more likely to develop hypoglycemia-associated autonomic failure in response to recurrent hypoglycemic or glucopenic events. Therefore, COUP-TFII expression levels in the ventromedial nucleus are keys in the ability to resist the onset of hypoglycemia-associated autonomic failure.