Characterizing a new tool to manipulate area postrema GLP1R+ neurons across species

Abstract

Nausea is an uncomfortable sensation that accompanies many therapeutics, especially diabetes treatments involving glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP1R) agonists. Recent studies in mice have revealed that GLP1R-expressing neurons in the area postrema play critical roles in nausea. Here, we characterized a ligand-conjugated saporin that can efficiently ablate GLP1R⁺ cells from humans, mice, and the Suncus murinus, a small animal model capable of emesis. This new tool provides a strategy to manipulate specific neural pathways in the area postrema in the Suncus murinus and may help elucidate roles of area postrema GLP1R⁺ neurons in emesis during therapeutics involving GLP1R agonists.

Keywords: Area postrema; Emesis; GLP1R; Nausea; Shrew.