Hansol Lim

All Publications

• Genetically- and spatially-defined basolateral amygdala neurons control food consumption and social interaction NATURE COMMUNICATIONS Lim, H., Zhang, Y., Peters, C., Straub, T., Mayer, J., Klein, R. 2024; 15 (1): 6868

  Abstract

  The basolateral amygdala (BLA) contains discrete neuronal circuits that integrate positive or negative emotional information and drive the appropriate innate and learned behaviors. Whether these circuits consist of genetically-identifiable and anatomically segregated neuron types, is poorly understood. Also, our understanding of the response patterns and behavioral spectra of genetically-identifiable BLA neurons is limited. Here, we classified 11 glutamatergic cell clusters in mouse BLA and found that several of them were anatomically segregated in lateral versus basal amygdala, and anterior versus posterior regions of the BLA. Two of these BLA subpopulations innately responded to valence-specific, whereas one responded to mixed - aversive and social - cues. Positive-valence BLA neurons promoted normal feeding, while mixed selectivity neurons promoted fear learning and social interactions. These findings enhance our understanding of cell type diversity and spatial organization of the BLA and the role of distinct BLA populations in representing valence-specific and mixed stimuli.

  View details for DOI 10.1038/s41467-024-50889-7

  View details for Web of Science ID 001288902100001

  View details for PubMedID 39127719

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC11316773

• Transcriptomics reveals amygdala neuron regulation by fasting and ghrelin thereby promoting feeding. Science advances Peters, C., He, S., Fermani, F., Lim, H., Ding, W., Mayer, C., Klein, R. 2023; 9 (21): eadf6521

  Abstract

  The central amygdala (CeA) consists of numerous genetically defined inhibitory neurons that control defensive and appetitive behaviors including feeding. Transcriptomic signatures of cell types and their links to function remain poorly understood. Using single-nucleus RNA sequencing, we describe nine CeA cell clusters, of which four are mostly associated with appetitive and two with aversive behaviors. To analyze the activation mechanism of appetitive CeA neurons, we characterized serotonin receptor 2a (Htr2a)-expressing neurons (CeAHtr2a) that comprise three appetitive clusters and were previously shown to promote feeding. In vivo calcium imaging revealed that CeAHtr2a neurons are activated by fasting, the hormone ghrelin, and the presence of food. Moreover, these neurons are required for the orexigenic effects of ghrelin. Appetitive CeA neurons responsive to fasting and ghrelin project to the parabrachial nucleus (PBN) causing inhibition of target PBN neurons. These results illustrate how the transcriptomic diversification of CeA neurons relates to fasting and hormone-regulated feeding behavior.

  View details for DOI 10.1126/sciadv.adf6521

  View details for PubMedID 37224253

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC10208581