The WFS1-ZnT3-Zn²⁺ Axis Regulates the Vicious Cycle of Obesity and Depression.

ABSTRACT: Obesity, a growing global health concern, is closely linked to depression. However, the neural mechanism of association between obesity and depression remains poorly understood. In this study, neural-specific WFS1 deficiency exacerbates the vicious cycle of obesity and depression in mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD), positioning WFS1 as a crucial factor in this cycle. Through human pluripotent stem cells (hESCs) neural differentiation, it is demonstrated that WFS1 regulates Zn²⁺ homeostasis and the apoptosis of neural progenitor cells (NPCs) and cerebral organoids by inhibiting the zinc transporter ZnT3 under the situation of dysregulated lipid metabolism. Notably, riluzole regulates ZnT3 expression to maintain zinc homeostasis and protect NPCs from lipotoxicity-induced cell death.

SUBMITTER: Gong M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11538679 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature