title: FNDC5/irisin, a molecular target for boosting reward-related learning and motivation.
abstract: Interventions focusing on the prevention and treatment of chronic non-communicable diseases are on rise. In the current article, we propose that dysfunction of the mesocortico-limbic reward system contributes to the emergence of the WHO-identified risk behaviors (tobacco use, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and harmful use of alcohol), behaviors that underlie the evolution of major non-communicable diseases (e.g. cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases). Given that dopaminergic neurons of the mesocortico-limbic system are tightly associated with reward-related processes and motivation, their dysfunction may fundamentally influence behavior. While nicotine and alcohol alter dopamine neuron function by influencing some receptors, mesocortico-limbic system dysfunction was associated with elevation of metabolic set-point leading to hedonic over-eating. Although there is some empirical evidence, precise molecular mechanism for linking physical inactivity and mesocortico-limbic dysfunction per se seems to be missing; identification of which may contribute to higher success rates for interventions targeting lifestyle changes pertaining to physical activity. In the current article, we compile evidence in support of a link between exercise and the mesocortico-limbic system by elucidating interactions on the axis of muscle - irisin - brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) - and dopaminergic function of the midbrain. Irisin is a contraction-regulated myokine formed primarily in skeletal muscle but also in the brain. Irisin stirred considerable interest, when its ability to induce browning of white adipose tissue parallel to increasing thermogenesis was discovered. Furthermore, it may also play a role in the regulation of behavior given it readily enters the central nervous system, where it induces BDNF expression in several brain areas linked to reward processing, e.g. the ventral tegmental area and the hippocampus. BDNF is a neurotropic factor that increases neuronal dopamine content, modulates dopamine release relevant for neuronal plasticity and increased neuronal survival as well as learning and memory. Further linking BDNF to dopaminergic function is BDNF's ability to activate tropomyosin-related kinase B receptor that shares signalization with presynaptic dopamine-3 receptors in the ventral tegmental area. Summarizing, we propose that the skeletal muscle derived irisin may be the link between physical activity and reward-related processes and motivation. Moreover alteration of this axis may contribute to sedentary lifestyle and subsequent non-communicable diseases. Preclinical and clinical experimental models to test this hypothesis are also proposed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Systems Management and Quality Management for Health Care, Faculty of Public Health, University of Debrecen, Nagyerdei krt 98, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary. Electronic address: zsuga.judit@med.unideb.hu.
authors.forename: Judit
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zsuga
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Systems Management and Quality Management for Health Care, Faculty of Public Health, University of Debrecen, Nagyerdei krt 98, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary.
authors.forename: Gabor
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tajti
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Systems Management and Quality Management for Health Care, Faculty of Public Health, University of Debrecen, Nagyerdei krt 98, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary.
authors.forename: Csaba
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Papp
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Nagyerdei krt 98, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary.
authors.forename: Bela
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Juhasz
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Debrecen, Nagyerdei krt 98, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary.
authors.forename: Rudolf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gesztelyi
mesh_terms: D002001:Adipose Tissue, Brown / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000502:physiology*; D003463:Cues; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005353:Fibronectins / Q000502:physiology*; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D006963:Hyperphagia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D008032:Limbic System / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice; D008954:Models, Biological; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009042:Motivation / Q000502:physiology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000378:metabolism*; D057181:Pleasure / Q000502:physiology; D020813:Receptor, trkB / Q000502:physiology; D012201:Reward; D057185:Sedentary Behavior; D022722:Thermogenesis / Q000502:physiology; D000071256:Uncoupling Protein 1 / Q000502:physiology; D017557:Ventral Tegmental Area / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; C577593:FNDC5 protein, human; D005353:Fibronectins; C000604371:UCP1 protein, human; D000071256:Uncoupling Protein 1; D020813:Receptor, trkB; D004298:Dopamine