EGF receptor in pancreatic β-cell mass regulation

2008 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 280-285 ◽  
Author(s):  
Päivi Miettinen ◽  
Päivi Ormio ◽  
Elina Hakonen ◽  
Meenal Banerjee ◽  
Timo Otonkoski

Pancreatic islet development is impaired in mice lacking EGFRs (epidermal growth factor receptors). Even partial tissue-specific attenuation of EGFR signalling in the islets leads to markedly reduced β-cell proliferation and development of diabetes during the first weeks after birth. Out of the many EGFR ligands, betacellulin has been specifically associated with positive effects on β-cell growth, through both increased proliferation and neogenesis. EGFR action is also necessary for the β-cell mitogenic activity of the gut hormone GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide 1). Finally, in vitro models demonstrate a central role for EGFR in transdifferentiation of pancreatic acinar and ductal cells into endocrine islet cells. EGFR thus plays an essential role in β-cell mass regulation, but its mechanisms of action remain poorly understood.

1995 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 371-383 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lawrence Rosenberg

During embryogenesis, islet cells differentiate from primitive duct-like cells. This process leads to the formation of islets in the mesenchyme adjacent to the ducts. In the postnatal period, any further expansion of the pancreatic endocrine cell mass will manifest itself either by a limited proliferation of the existing islet cells, or by a reiteration of ontogenetic development. It is the latter, cell transformation by a process of differentiation from a multipotential cell, that will be referred to in this review as islet neogenesis. To better appreciate the mechanisms underlying islet cell neogenesis, some of the basic concepts of developmental biology will be reviewed. Considerable discussion is devoted to the subject of transdifferentiation, a change in a cell or in its progeny from one differentiated phenotype to another, where the change includes both morphological and functional phenotypic markers. While in vitro studies with fetal and neonatal pancreata strongly suggest that new islet tissue is derived from ductal epithelium, what is not established is whether the primary cell is a committed endocrine cell or duct-like cell capable of transdifferentiation. Next, research in the field of β-cell neogenesis is surveyed, in preparation for the examination of whether there is a physiological means of inducing islet cell regeneration, and whether the new islet mass will function in a regulated manner to reverse or stabilize a diabetic state? Our belief is that the pancreas retains the ability to regenerate a functioning islet cell mass in the postnatal period, and that the process of cell transformation leading to islet neogenesis is mediated by growth factors that are intrinsic to the gland. Furthermore, it is our contention that these factors act directly or indirectly on a multipotential cell, probably associated with the ductular epithelium, to induce endocrine cell differentiation. In other words, new islet formation in the postnatal period reiterates the normal ontogeny of islet cell development. These ideas will be fully developed in a discussion of the Partial Duct Obstruction (PDO) Model.


2006 ◽  
Vol 191 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
George Harb ◽  
Gregory S Korbutt

Prolonged exposure to high glucose can influence the function, growth, and survival of pancreatic β-cells. In this study, we examine the effects of prolonged in vitro exposure to high glucose on neonatal porcine β-cells, a potentially useful source of insulin-producing cells for clinical islet transplantation. Neonatal porcine islets were prepared by culturing collagenase-digested pancreases for 1 week in 5.6 mM glucose, followed by an additional week in either 5.6, 10.0, or 28.0 mM glucose. An additional 2 days of culture in 5.6 mM glucose followed for recovery from high glucose. The 7-day culture period in 28.0 mM glucose failed to irreversibly impair glucose responsiveness and also caused a modest increase in β-cell mass. Immunostaining revealed that precursor cell differentiation was responsible for the increase in β-cell mass rather than β-cell proliferation. Islet cell survival was also assessed by a DNA fragmentation assay (TUNEL stain) to determine β-cell susceptibility to apoptosis after exposure to high glucose. Interestingly, although the total number of apoptotic islet cells did not drastically change after a week of culture in either 5.6, 10.0, or 28.0 mM glucose (25% TUNEL-positive), neither did the percentage of apoptotic β-cells. These encouraging results further support the use of neonatal porcine islets for clinical transplantation because of their ability to resist the cytotoxic effects of high glucose on islet function and survival.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (17) ◽  
pp. 9504
Author(s):  
María Sofía Martínez ◽  
Alexander Manzano ◽  
Luis Carlos Olivar ◽  
Manuel Nava ◽  
Juan Salazar ◽  
...  

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is one of the most prevalent chronic metabolic disorders, and insulin has been placed at the epicentre of its pathophysiological basis. However, the involvement of impaired alpha (α) cell function has been recognized as playing an essential role in several diseases, since hyperglucagonemia has been evidenced in both Type 1 and T2DM. This phenomenon has been attributed to intra-islet defects, like modifications in pancreatic α cell mass or dysfunction in glucagon’s secretion. Emerging evidence has shown that chronic hyperglycaemia provokes changes in the Langerhans’ islets cytoarchitecture, including α cell hyperplasia, pancreatic beta (β) cell dedifferentiation into glucagon-positive producing cells, and loss of paracrine and endocrine regulation due to β cell mass loss. Other abnormalities like α cell insulin resistance, sensor machinery dysfunction, or paradoxical ATP-sensitive potassium channels (KATP) opening have also been linked to glucagon hypersecretion. Recent clinical trials in phases 1 or 2 have shown new molecules with glucagon-antagonist properties with considerable effectiveness and acceptable safety profiles. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists and Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4 inhibitors) have been shown to decrease glucagon secretion in T2DM, and their possible therapeutic role in T1DM means they are attractive as an insulin-adjuvant therapy.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Ping Lin ◽  
Kai-Wen Kan ◽  
Jia-Haur Chen ◽  
Yung-Kai Lin ◽  
Yung-Hao Lin ◽  
...  

This research unveils the synergistic effect of brown sugar, longan, ginger, and jujube on the beneficial effects of antioxidation and anti-inflammation. Longan, ginger, and jujube are ubiquitous herbs in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and are frequently used in folk remedies. Longan and ginger have been reported to be beneficial for antioxidation, anti-inflammation, ant-obesity, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) improvements. However, the potential scientific and medical benefits of their combination Brown Sugar Longan Ginger Tea (BSLGT), a popular drink in Chinese cultures, are elusive. Through the in vitro methodologies, we discovered that BSLGT could significantly improve the mitochondrial activity, antioxidant capacity, lipid content, and inflammatory response in human hepatocytes. In addition, BSLGT also exerted positive effects on the downregulation of atherosclerosis-associated, vasoconstrictor, and thrombosis-related gene expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. In short, our experimental results successfully revealed that the antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects of BSLGT may have the potential to improve liver metabolism and cardiovascular inflammation although solid evidence requires further investigation.


2015 ◽  
Vol 172 (4) ◽  
pp. R131-R141 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raquel Barrio

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a recessive genetic disease caused by mutations in the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR).CFTRis primarily present in epithelial cells of the airways, intestine and in cells with exocrine and endocrine functions. Mutations in the gene encoding the channel protein complex (CFTR) cause alterations in the ionic composition of secretions from the lung, gastrointestinal tract, liver, and also the pancreas. CF-related diabetes (CFRD), the most common complication of CF, has a major detrimental impact on pulmonary function, nutrition and survival. Glucose derangements in CF seem to start from early infancy and, even when the pathophysiology is multifactorial, insulin insufficiency is clearly a major component. Consistently, recent evidence has confirmed that CFTR is an important regulator of insulin secretion by islet β-cells. In addition, several other mechanisms were also recognized from cellular and animals models also contributing to either β-cell mass reduction or β-cell malfunction. Understanding such mechanisms is crucial for the development of the so-called ‘transformational’ therapies in CF, including the preservation of insulin secretion. Innovative therapeutic approaches aim to modify specific CFTR mutant proteins or positively modulate their function. CFTR modulators have recently shownin vitrocapacity to enhance insulin secretion and thereby potential clinical utility in CFDR, including synergistic effects between corrector and potentiator drugs. The introduction of incretins and the optimization of exocrine pancreatic replacement complete the number of therapeutic options of CFRD besides early diagnosis and implementation of insulin therapy. This review focuses on the recently identified pathogenic mechanisms leading to CFRD relevant for the development of novel pharmacological avenues in CFRD therapy.


2016 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 14-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ercument Dirice ◽  
Rohit N Kulkarni

Type 1 diabetes is characterized by early β-cell loss leading to insulin dependence in virtually all patients with the disease in order to maintain glucose homeostasis. Most studies over the past few decades have focused on limiting the autoimmune attack on the β cells. However, emerging data from patients with long-standing diabetes who continue to harbor functional insulin-producing cells in their diseased pancreas have prompted scientists to examine whether proliferation of existing β cells can be enhanced to promote better glycemic control. In support of this concept, several studies indicate that mononuclear cells that infiltrate the islets have the capacity to trigger proliferation of islet cells including β cells. These observations indicate the exciting possibility of identifying those mononuclear cell types and their soluble factors and harnessing their ability to promote β-cell growth concomitant with autoimmune therapy to prevent the onset and/or halt the progression of the disease.


2008 ◽  
Vol 8 (2_suppl) ◽  
pp. S19-S25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Baptist Gallwitz

The clinical course of type 2 diabetes mellitus is characterised by a progressive decline in β -cell mass. The changing β-cell mass reflects a shifting balance between β-cell neogenesis, islet neogenesis and β-cell apoptosis. In persons with diabetes, administration of exogenous glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) improves glucose sensitivity and insulin synthesis and may help increase β cell mass. As the effects of GLP-1 on the β cell are becoming better understood at both the molecular and cellular levels, it has become possible to develop therapies with the potential to harness and sustain the positive effects of endogenous GLP-1 in patients with type 2 diabetes. Data from in vitro, preclinical and phase II studies show promising results with GLP-1 analogues in improving β-cell function in patients with type 2 diabetes. For example, in vitro models have shown the GLP-1 analogue liraglutide inhibits β-cell apoptosis in isolated neonatal rat islets. In vitro, animal models demonstrate increasing β-cell mass with liraglutide administration. Results from a recently completed phase II clinical trial with liraglutide in patients with type 2 diabetes demonstrate that daily treatment markedly improves β -cell function as shown by an increased first-phase insulin response and secretory capacity and a decreased proinsulin:insulin ratio. Now, phase III trials continue to bear out the potential for liraglutide for treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes.Br J Diabetes Vasc Dis 2008;8 (Suppl 2): S19-S25


2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Pala ◽  
C. M. Rotella

The introduction of incretin hormone-based therapies represents a novel therapeutic strategy, since these drugs not only improve glycemia with minimal risk of hypoglycemia, but also have other extraglycemic beneficial effects. These agents, which are effective in improving glucose control, could also have positive effects on the incidence of cardiovascular events. The aim of this review is to summarize the present literature about the role of dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4) in cardiovascular districts, not only strictly correlated to its effect on glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) circulating levels, but also to what is known about possible cardiovascular actions. Actually, DPP4 is known to be present in many cells and tissues and its effects go beyond purely metabolic aspects. Almost always the inhibition of DPP4 activity is associated with improved cardiovascular profile, but it has shown to possess antithrombotic properties and these different effects could be connected with a site and/or species specificity of DPP4. Certainly, DPP4 seems to exert many functions, both directly and indirectly, on cardiovascular districts, opening new possibilities of prevention and treatment of complications at this level, not only in patients affected by diabetes mellitus.


2001 ◽  
Vol 21 (16) ◽  
pp. 5605-5613 ◽  
Author(s):  
John W. Cardinal ◽  
Geoffrey P. Margison ◽  
Kurt J. Mynett ◽  
Allen P. Yates ◽  
Donald P. Cameron ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Type 1 diabetes is thought to occur as a result of the loss of insulin-producing pancreatic β cells by an environmentally triggered autoimmune reaction. In rodent models of diabetes, streptozotocin (STZ), a genotoxic methylating agent that is targeted to the β cells, is used to trigger the initial cell death. High single doses of STZ cause extensive β-cell necrosis, while multiple low doses induce limited apoptosis, which elicits an autoimmune reaction that eliminates the remaining cells. We now show that in mice lacking the DNA repair enzyme alkylpurine-DNA-N-glycosylase (APNG), β-cell necrosis was markedly attenuated after a single dose of STZ. This is most probably due to the reduction in the frequency of base excision repair-induced strand breaks and the consequent activation of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), which results in catastrophic ATP depletion and cell necrosis. Indeed, PARP activity was not induced in APNG−/− islet cells following treatment with STZ in vitro. However, 48 h after STZ treatment, there was a peak of apoptosis in the β cells of APNG−/− mice. Apoptosis was not observed in PARP-inhibited APNG+/+ mice, suggesting that apoptotic pathways are activated in the absence of significant numbers of DNA strand breaks. Interestingly, STZ-treated APNG−/− mice succumbed to diabetes 8 months after treatment, in contrast to previous work with PARP inhibitors, where a high incidence of β-cell tumors was observed. In the multiple-low-dose model, STZ induced diabetes in both APNG−/− and APNG+/+ mice; however, the initial peak of apoptosis was 2.5-fold greater in the APNG−/− mice. We conclude that APNG substrates are diabetogenic but by different mechanisms according to the status of APNG activity.


2014 ◽  
Vol 223 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noèlia Téllez ◽  
Eduard Montanya

Induction of β-cell mass regeneration is a potentially curative treatment for diabetes. We have recently found that long-term gastrin treatment results in improved metabolic control and β-cell mass expansion in 95% pancreatectomised (Px) rats. In this study, we investigated the underlying mechanisms of gastrin-induced β-cell mass expansion after Px. After 90%-Px, rats were treated with gastrin (Px+G) or vehicle (Px+V), pancreatic remnants were harvested on days 1, 3, 5, 7, and 14 and used for gene expression, protein immunolocalisation and morphometric analyses. Gastrin- and vehicle-treated Px rats showed similar blood glucose levels throughout the study. Initially, after Px, focal areas of regeneration, showing mesenchymal cells surrounding ductal structures that expressed the cholecystokinin B receptor, were identified. These focal areas of regeneration were similar in size and cell composition in the Px+G and Px+V groups. However, in the Px+G group, the ductal structures showed lower levels of keratin 20 and β-catenin (indicative of duct dedifferentiation) and higher levels of expression of neurogenin 3 and NKX6-1 (indicative of endocrine progenitor phenotype), as compared with Px+V rats. In Px+G rats, β-cell mass and the number of scattered β-cells were significantly increased compared with Px+V rats, whereas β-cell replication and apoptosis were similar in the two groups. These results indicate that gastrin treatment-enhanced dedifferentiation and reprogramming of regenerative ductal cells in Px rats, increased β-cell neogenesis and fostered β-cell mass expansion.


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