The Hippo kinase LATS2 impairs pancreatic β-cell survival in diabetes through the mTORC1-autophagy axis

AbstractDiabetes results from a decline in functional pancreatic β-cells, but the molecular mechanisms underlying the pathological β-cell failure are poorly understood. Here we report that large-tumor suppressor 2 (LATS2), a core component of the Hippo signaling pathway, is activated under diabetic conditions and induces β-cell apoptosis and impaired function. LATS2 deficiency in β-cells and primary isolated human islets as well as β-cell specific LATS2 ablation in mice improves β-cell viability, insulin secretion and β-cell mass and ameliorates diabetes development. LATS2 activates mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1), a physiological suppressor of autophagy, in β-cells and genetic and pharmacological inhibition of mTORC1 counteracts the pro-apoptotic action of activated LATS2. We further show a direct interplay between Hippo and autophagy, in which LATS2 is an autophagy substrate. On the other hand, LATS2 regulates β-cell apoptosis triggered by impaired autophagy suggesting an existence of a stress-sensitive multicomponent cellular loop coordinating β-cell compensation and survival. Our data reveal an important role for LATS2 in pancreatic β-cell turnover and suggest LATS2 as a potential therapeutic target to improve pancreatic β-cell survival and function in diabetes.

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Cholecystokinin Suppresses β-Cell Apoptosis, Including in Human Islets in a Transplant Model

10.1101/2021.03.02.433645 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Hung Tae Kim ◽

Arnaldo H. de Souza ◽

Heidi Umhoefer ◽

JeeYoung Han ◽

Lucille Anzia ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Type 2 Diabetes ◽

Cell Survival ◽

Cell Apoptosis ◽

Cell Mass ◽

Human Islets ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Pancreatic Β Cell ◽

Β Cell

AbstractLoss of functional pancreatic β-cell mass and increased β-cell apoptosis are fundamental to the pathophysiology of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Pancreatic islet transplantation has the potential to cure type 1 diabetes but is often ineffective due to the death of the islet graft within the first few years after transplant. Therapeutic strategies to directly target pancreatic β-cell survival are needed to prevent and treat diabetes and to improve islet transplant outcomes. Reducing β-cell apoptosis is also a therapeutic strategy for type 2 diabetes. Cholecystokinin (CCK) is a peptide hormone typically produced in the gut after food intake, with positive effects on obesity and glucose metabolism in mouse models and human subjects. We have previously shown that pancreatic islets also produce CCK. The production of CCK within the islet promotes β-cell survival in rodent models of diabetes and aging. Now, we demonstrate a direct effect of CCK to reduce cytokine-mediated apoptosis in a β-cell line and in isolated mouse islets in a receptor-dependent manner. However, whether CCK can protect human β-cells was previously unknown. Here, we report that CCK can also reduce cytokine-mediated apoptosis in isolated human islets and CCK treatment in vivo decreases β-cell apoptosis in human islets transplanted into the kidney capsule of diabetic NOD/SCID mice. Collectively, these data identify CCK as a novel therapy that can directly promote β-cell survival in human islets and has therapeutic potential to preserve β-cell mass in diabetes and as an adjunct therapy after transplant.One Sentence SummaryCholecystokinin ameliorates pancreatic β-cell death under models of stress and after transplant of human islets.

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Imeglimin Ameliorates β-cell Apoptosis by Modulating the Endoplasmic Reticulum Homeostasis Pathway

10.2337/figshare.16654780.v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Jinghe Li ◽

Ryota Inoue ◽

Yu Togashi ◽

Tomoko Okuyama ◽

Aoi Satoh ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽

Er Stress ◽

Cell Survival ◽

Cell Apoptosis ◽

Cell Function ◽

Cell Mass ◽

Β Cells ◽

Β Cell ◽

Akita Mice ◽

The Impact

The effects of imeglimin, a novel anti-diabetes agent, on β-cell function remain unclear. Here, we unveiled the impact of imeglimin on β-cell survival. Treatment with imeglimin augmented mitochondrial function, enhanced insulin secretion, promoted β-cell proliferation, and improved β-cell survival in mouse islets. Imeglimin upregulated the expression of endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-related molecules including Chop (Ddit3), Gadd34 (Ppp1r15a), Atf3, and Sdf2l1, and decreased eIF2α phosphorylation, after treatment with thapsigargin, and restored global protein synthesis in β-cells under ER stress. Imeglimin failed to protect ER stress-induced β-cell apoptosis in CHOP-deficient islets or in the presence of GADD34 inhibitor. Treatment with imeglimin showed a significant decrease in the number of apoptotic β-cells and increased β-cell mass in Akita mice. Imeglimin also protected against β-cell apoptosis in both human islets and human pluripotent stem cell (<a>hPSC)-derived β-like cells</a>. <a>Taken together, imeglimin modulates ER homeostasis pathway, which results in the prevention of β-cell apoptosis both in vitro and in vivo.</a>

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Imeglimin Ameliorates β-cell Apoptosis by Modulating the Endoplasmic Reticulum Homeostasis Pathway

10.2337/figshare.16654780 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Jinghe Li ◽

Ryota Inoue ◽

Yu Togashi ◽

Tomoko Okuyama ◽

Aoi Satoh ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽

Er Stress ◽

Cell Survival ◽

Cell Apoptosis ◽

Cell Function ◽

Cell Mass ◽

Β Cells ◽

Β Cell ◽

Akita Mice ◽

The Impact

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Puerarin protects pancreatic β-cell survival via PI3K/Akt signaling pathway

Journal of Molecular Endocrinology ◽

10.1530/jme-13-0302 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 53 (1) ◽

pp. 71-79 ◽

Cited By ~ 36

Author(s):

Zhipeng Li ◽

Zhaoshui Shangguan ◽

Yijie Liu ◽

Jihua Wang ◽

Xuejun Li ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cell Survival ◽

Cell Mass ◽

Akt Signaling ◽

Pancreatic Β Cell ◽

Diabetic Mice ◽

Akt Signaling Pathway ◽

Β Cells ◽

Β Cell ◽

Glucose Stimulated Insulin Secretion ◽

And Function

Pancreatic β-cell loss because of apoptosis is the major cause of type 1 diabetes (T1D) and late stage T2D. Puerarin possesses anti-diabetic properties; whether it acts directly on pancreatic β-cell is not clear. This study was designed to investigate the effects of puerarin on pancreatic β-cell survival and function. Diabetes was induced in male C57BL/6 mice by a single peritoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ). Pancreatic β-cell survival and function were assessed in diabetic mice by measuring β-cell apoptosis, β-cell mass, pancreatic insulin content, and glucose tolerance, and in cultured islets and clonial MIN6 β-cells by measuring β-cell viability and apoptosis and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. We found that pre-treatment with puerarin decreased the incidence of STZ-induced diabetes. Puerarin increased pancreatic β-cell mass via β-cell apoptosis inhibition in diabetic mice, and increased serum insulin, whereas it decreased blood glucose levels and improved glucose tolerance. In cultured islets and MIN6 cells, puerarin protected β-cell from cobalt chloride (CoCl2)-induced apoptosis and restored the impaired capacity of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. Puerarin protection of β-cell survival involved the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling pathway. In conclusion, puerarin protects pancreatic β-cell function and survival via direct effects on β-cells, and its protection of β-cell survival is mediated by the PI3K/Akt pathway. As a safe natural plant extraction, puerarin might serve as a preventive and/or therapeutic approach for diabetes.

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Tungstate promotes β-cell survival in Irs2−/− mice

AJP Endocrinology and Metabolism ◽

10.1152/ajpendo.00409.2013 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 306 (1) ◽

pp. E36-E47 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Joana Moitinho Oliveira ◽

Sandra A. Rebuffat ◽

Rosa Gasa ◽

Deborah J. Burks ◽

Ainhoa Garcia ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cell Death ◽

Cell Survival ◽

Cell Apoptosis ◽

Cell Mass ◽

Cell Loss ◽

Cell Recovery ◽

Β Cells ◽

Β Cell ◽

Igf Signaling

Pancreatic β-cells play a central role in type 2 diabetes (T2D) development, which is characterized by the progressive decline of the functional β-cell mass that is associated mainly with increased β-cell apoptosis. Thus, understanding how to enhance survival of β-cells is key for the management of T2D. The insulin receptor substrate-2 (IRS-2) protein is pivotal in mediating the insulin/IGF signaling pathway in β-cells. In fact, IRS-2 is critically required for β-cell compensation in conditions of increased insulin demand and for β-cell survival. Tungstate is a powerful antidiabetic agent that has been shown to promote β-cell recovery in toxin-induced diabetic rodent models. In this study, we investigated whether tungstate could prevent the onset of diabetes in a scenario of dysregulated insulin/IGF signaling and massive β-cell death. To this end, we treated mice deficient in IRS2 ( Irs2−/−), which exhibit severe β-cell loss, with tungstate for 3 wk. Tungstate normalized glucose tolerance in Irs2−/− mice in correlation with increased β-cell mass, increased β-cell replication, and a striking threefold reduction in β-cell apoptosis. Islets from treated Irs2−/− exhibited increased phosphorylated Erk1/2. Interestingly, tungstate repressed apoptosis-related genes in Irs2−/− islets in vitro, and ERK1/2 blockade abolished some of these effects. Gene expression profiling showed evidence of a broad impact of tungstate on cell death pathways in islets from Irs2−/− mice, consistent with reduced apoptotic rates. Our results support the finding that β-cell death can be arrested in the absence of IRS2 and that therapies aimed at reversing β-cell mass decline are potential strategies to prevent the progression to T2D.

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Bromodomain protein inhibition protects β-cells from cytokine-induced death and dysfunction via antagonism of NF-κB pathway

10.1101/2020.11.05.363408 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Vinny Negi ◽

Jeongkyung Lee ◽

Ruya Liu ◽

Eliana M. Perez-Garcia ◽

Feng Li ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cell Apoptosis ◽

Cell Function ◽

Cell Mass ◽

Human Islets ◽

Β Cells ◽

Β Cell ◽

Bet Inhibitors ◽

Β Cell Function ◽

Underlying Mechanisms

ABSTRACTCytokine induced β-cell apoptosis is the major pathogenic mechanism in type 1 diabetes (T1D). Despite significant advances in understanding underlying mechanisms, few drugs have been translated to protect β-cells in T1D. Epigenetic modulators such as bromodomain-containing BET (Bromo- and Extra-Terminal) proteins are important regulators of immune responses. Pre-clinical studies have demonstrated a protective effect of BET inhibitors in NOD (non-obese diabetes) mouse model of T1D. However, the role of BET proteins in β-cell function in response to cytokines is unknown. Here we demonstrate that I-BET, a BET protein inhibitor, protected β-cells from cytokine induced dysfunction and death. In vivo administration of I-BET to mice exposed to low-dose STZ (streptozotocin), a model of T1D, significantly reduced β-cell apoptosis and preserved β-cell mass, suggesting a cytoprotective function of I-BET. Furthermore, human islets treated with I-BET displayed better glucose stimulated insulin secretion compared to controls, when exposed to cytokines. Mechanistically, RNA-Seq analysis revealed I-BET treatment suppressed pathways involved in apoptosis, including NF-kB signaling, while maintaining the expression of genes critical for β-cell function, such as Pdx1 and Ins1. Taken together, this study demonstrates that I-BET is effective in protecting β-cells from cytokine-induced dysfunction and apoptosis, and may have potential therapeutic values in T1D.

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Ontology of the apelinergic system in mouse pancreas during pregnancy and relationship with β-cell mass

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-94725-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Brenda Strutt ◽

Sandra Szlapinski ◽

Thineesha Gnaneswaran ◽

Sarah Donegan ◽

Jessica Hill ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cell Proliferation ◽

Insulin Secretion ◽

Glucose Transporter ◽

Cell Mass ◽

Elevated Serum ◽

Pancreatic Β Cell ◽

Β Cells ◽

Β Cell ◽

Glucose Transporter 2 ◽

Glucose Stimulated Insulin Secretion

AbstractThe apelin receptor (Aplnr) and its ligands, Apelin and Apela, contribute to metabolic control. The insulin resistance associated with pregnancy is accommodated by an expansion of pancreatic β-cell mass (BCM) and increased insulin secretion, involving the proliferation of insulin-expressing, glucose transporter 2-low (Ins+Glut2LO) progenitor cells. We examined changes in the apelinergic system during normal mouse pregnancy and in pregnancies complicated by glucose intolerance with reduced BCM. Expression of Aplnr, Apelin and Apela was quantified in Ins+Glut2LO cells isolated from mouse pancreata and found to be significantly higher than in mature β-cells by DNA microarray and qPCR. Apelin was localized to most β-cells by immunohistochemistry although Aplnr was predominantly associated with Ins+Glut2LO cells. Aplnr-staining cells increased three- to four-fold during pregnancy being maximal at gestational days (GD) 9–12 but were significantly reduced in glucose intolerant mice. Apelin-13 increased β-cell proliferation in isolated mouse islets and INS1E cells, but not glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. Glucose intolerant pregnant mice had significantly elevated serum Apelin levels at GD 9 associated with an increased presence of placental IL-6. Placental expression of the apelinergic axis remained unaltered, however. Results show that the apelinergic system is highly expressed in pancreatic β-cell progenitors and may contribute to β-cell proliferation in pregnancy.

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Dexamethasone induces pancreatic β-cell apoptosis through upregulation of TRAIL death receptor

Journal of Molecular Endocrinology ◽

10.1530/jme-20-0238 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Kanchana Suksri ◽

Namoiy Semprasert ◽

Mutita Junking ◽

Suchanoot Kutpruek ◽

Thawornchai Limjindaporn ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cell Apoptosis ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Cultured Cells ◽

Death Receptor ◽

Caspase 8 ◽

Pancreatic Β Cell ◽

Β Cell ◽

Apoptotic Protein ◽

Induced Apoptosis ◽

Trail Death Receptor

Long-term medication with dexamethasone (a synthetic glucocorticoid (GC) drug) results in hyperglycemia, or steroid-induced diabetes. Although recent studies revealed dexamethasone directly induces pancreatic β-cell apoptosis, its molecular mechanisms remain unclear. In our initial analysis of mRNA transcripts, we discovered the tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) pathway may be involved in dexamethasone-induced pancreatic β-cell apoptosis. In the present study, a mechanism of dexamethasone-induced pancreatic β-cell apoptosis through the TRAIL pathway was investigated in cultured cells and isolated mouse islets. INS-1 cells were cultured with and without dexamethasone in the presence or absence of a glucocorticoid receptor (GR) inhibitor, RU486. We found that dexamethasone induced pancreatic β-cell apoptosis in association with the upregulation of TRAIL mRNA and protein expression. Moreover, dexamethasone upregulated the TRAIL death receptor (DR5) protein but suppressed the decoy receptor (DcR1) protein. Similar findings were observed in mouse isolated islets: dexamethasone increased TRAIL and DR5 compared to that of control mice. Furthermore, dexamethasone stimulated pro-apoptotic signaling including superoxide production, caspase-8, -9, and -3 activities, NF-B, and Bax, but repressed the anti-apoptotic protein, Bcl-2. All these effects were inhibited by the GR-inhibitor, RU486. Furthermore, knock down DR5 decreased dexamethasone-induced caspase 3 activity. Caspase-8 and caspase-9 inhibitors protected pancreatic β-cells from dexamethasone-induced apoptosis. Taken together, dexamethasone induced pancreatic β-cell apoptosis by binding to the GR and inducing DR5 and TRAIL pathway.

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Differential activation of ER stress and apoptosis in response to chronically elevated free fatty acids in pancreatic β-cells

AJP Endocrinology and Metabolism ◽

10.1152/ajpendo.00478.2007 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 294 (3) ◽

pp. E540-E550 ◽

Cited By ~ 108

Author(s):

Elida Lai ◽

George Bikopoulos ◽

Michael B. Wheeler ◽

Maria Rozakis-Adcock ◽

Allen Volchuk

Keyword(s):

Er Stress ◽

Cell Lines ◽

Cell Apoptosis ◽

Human Islets ◽

Pancreatic Β Cell ◽

Β Cell ◽

Min6 Cells ◽

Relative Contribution ◽

Induced Apoptosis

Chronic exposure to elevated saturated free fatty acid (FFA) levels has been shown to induce endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress that may contribute to promoting pancreatic β-cell apoptosis. Here, we compared the effects of FFAs on apoptosis and ER stress in human islets and two pancreatic β-cell lines, rat INS-1 and mouse MIN6 cells. Isolated human islets cultured in vitro underwent apoptosis, and markers of ER stress pathways were elevated by chronic palmitate exposure. Palmitate also induced apoptosis in MIN6 and INS-1 cells, although the former were more resistant to both apoptosis and ER stress. MIN6 cells were found to express significantly higher levels of ER chaperone proteins than INS-1 cells, which likely accounts for the ER stress resistance. We attempted to determine the relative contribution that ER stress plays in palmitate-induced β-cell apoptosis. Although overexpressing GRP78 in INS-1 cells partially reduced susceptibility to thapsigargin, this failed to reduce palmitate-induced ER stress or apoptosis. In INS-1 cells, palmitate induced apoptosis at concentrations that did not result in significant ER stress. Finally, MIN6 cells depleted of GRP78 were more susceptible to tunicamycin-induced apoptosis but not to palmitate-induced apoptosis compared with control cells. These results suggest that ER stress is likely not the main mechanism involved in palmitate-induced apoptosis in β-cell lines. Human islets and MIN6 cells were found to express high levels of stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 compared with INS-1 cells, which may account for the decreased susceptibility of these cells to the cytotoxic effects of palmitate.

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NKX6.1 transcription factor: a crucial regulator of pancreatic β cell development, identity, and proliferation

Stem Cell Research & Therapy ◽

10.1186/s13287-020-01977-0 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Idil I. Aigha ◽

Essam M. Abdelalim

Keyword(s):

Transcription Factor ◽

Cell Function ◽

Disease Modeling ◽

Critical Role ◽

Cell Mass ◽

Cell Development ◽

Pancreatic Β Cell ◽

Β Cells ◽

Β Cell ◽

Β Cell Function

Abstract Understanding the biology underlying the mechanisms and pathways regulating pancreatic β cell development is necessary to understand the pathology of diabetes mellitus (DM), which is characterized by the progressive reduction in insulin-producing β cell mass. Pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) can potentially offer an unlimited supply of functional β cells for cellular therapy and disease modeling of DM. Homeobox protein NKX6.1 is a transcription factor (TF) that plays a critical role in pancreatic β cell function and proliferation. In human pancreatic islet, NKX6.1 expression is exclusive to β cells and is undetectable in other islet cells. Several reports showed that activation of NKX6.1 in PSC-derived pancreatic progenitors (MPCs), expressing PDX1 (PDX1+/NKX6.1+), warrants their future commitment to monohormonal β cells. However, further differentiation of MPCs lacking NKX6.1 expression (PDX1+/NKX6.1−) results in an undesirable generation of non-functional polyhormonal β cells. The importance of NKX6.1 as a crucial regulator in MPC specification into functional β cells directs attentions to further investigating its mechanism and enhancing NKX6.1 expression as a means to increase β cell function and mass. Here, we shed light on the role of NKX6.1 during pancreatic β cell development and in directing the MPCs to functional monohormonal lineage. Furthermore, we address the transcriptional mechanisms and targets of NKX6.1 as well as its association with diabetes.

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