Survodutide acts through circumventricular organs in the brain and activates neuronal regions associated with appetite regulation

TL;DR

Survodutide, a new drug for obesity and MASH, works by targeting brain regions linked to appetite control through the GLP-1R receptor.

Contribution

First demonstration that GCGR is barely detectable in key brain regions, highlighting GLP-1R's role in survodutide's mechanism.

Findings

Survodutide activates GLP-1R–expressing satiety nuclei, suppressing food intake.

GCGR expression is minimal in AP and ARH, indicating limited central glucagon action.

Survodutide accesses CVOs and adjacent nuclei without uniform BBB penetration.

Abstract

Survodutide is a novel GCG/GLP-1 receptor (GCGR/GLP-1R) dual agonist in clinical development for people with obesity and people with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). Preclinically, survodutide demonstrated body weight lowering efficacy through decreased energy intake and increased energy expenditure. Here, we investigated the central site of action of survodutide and provide further insights into its mechanism of action in reducing body weight. We assessed GCGR and GLP1R expression in human and mouse circumventricular organs (CVOS) and showed for the first time that GCGR is barely detectable in area postrema (AP) and arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus (ARH) at the single cell level. In contrast, GLP1R is expressed in these tissues. Using a fluorophore labeled survodutide to visualize sites of action in the mouse brain, survodutide was observed to directly access the CVOs and adjacent hypothalamic and hindbrain nuclei, without evidence of uniformly crossing the blood–brain-barrier. In addition, c-Fos labeling showed that multiple nuclei associated with the control of food intake were activated by survodutide. Consistent with the hypothesis that the intake suppressive effects of survodutide are GLP-1R dependent, a long-acting GCGR agonist did not induce neuronal activation in satiety-mediating regions, nor reduced food intake but showed reduction in body weight. These data further support the dual mode of action of survodutide and its potential to provide clinical benefit for people with obesity and/or MASH.

•Survodutide activates GLP-1R–expressing satiety nuclei, suppressing food intake.•GCGR expression is minimal in AP and ARH, indicating limited central glucagon action.•Survodutide accesses CVOs and adjacent nuclei without uniform BBB penetration.•GCGR agonist did not activate satiety nuclei or suppress intake, despite weight loss.

Survodutide activates GLP-1R–expressing satiety nuclei, suppressing food intake.

GCGR expression is minimal in AP and ARH, indicating limited central glucagon action.

Survodutide accesses CVOs and adjacent nuclei without uniform BBB penetration.

GCGR agonist did not activate satiety nuclei or suppress intake, despite weight loss.

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