scholarly journals Processing of proglucagon to GLP-1 in pancreatic α-cells: is this a paracrine mechanism enabling GLP-1 to act on β-cells?

2011 ◽  
Vol 211 (1) ◽  
pp. 99-106 ◽  
Author(s):  
N M Whalley ◽  
L E Pritchard ◽  
D M Smith ◽  
A White
Keyword(s):  
Insulin Secretion ◽  
High Glucose ◽  
Culture Media ◽  
Cell Mass ◽  
Glucagon Secretion ◽  
Human Islets ◽  
Β Cell ◽  
Rat Islets ◽  
L Cells ◽  
Elevated Glucose

Proglucagon is cleaved to glucagon by prohormone convertase 2 (PC2) in pancreatic α-cells, but is cleaved to glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) by PC1 in intestinal L-cells. The aim of this study was to identify mechanisms which switch processing of proglucagon to generate GLP-1 in the pancreas, given that GLP-1 can increase insulin secretion and β-cell mass. The α-cell line, αTC1-6, expressed PC1 at low levels and GLP-1 was detected in cells and in culture media. GLP-1 was also found in isolated human islets and in rat islets cultured for 7 days. High glucose concentrations increasedPc1gene expression and PC1 protein in rat islets. High glucose (25 mM) also increased GLP-1 but decreased glucagon secretion from αTC1-6 cells suggesting a switch in processing to favour GLP-1. Three G protein-coupled receptors, GPR120, TGR5 and GPR119, implicated in the release of GLP-1 from L-cells are expressed in αTC1-6 cells. Incubation of these cells with an agonist of TGR5 increased PC1 promoter activity and GLP-1 secretion suggesting that this is a mechanism for switching processing to GLP-1 in the pancreas. Treatment of isolated rat islets with streptozotocin caused β-cell toxicity as evidenced by decreased glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. This increased GLP-1 but not glucagon in the islets. In summary, proglucagon can be processed to GLP-1 in pancreatic cells. This process is upregulated by elevated glucose, activation of TGR5 and β-cell destruction. Understanding this phenomenon may lead to advances in therapies to protect β-cell mass, and thereby slow progression from insulin resistance to type 2 diabetes.

Insulin signalling in islets

2008 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 290-293 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shanta J. Persaud ◽  
Dany Muller ◽  
Peter M. Jones
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Insulin Secretion ◽  
Insulin Signalling ◽  
Cell Mass ◽  
Human Islets ◽  
Human Islet ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Small Interfering Rnas ◽  
Β Cells ◽  
Β Cell

Studies in transgenic animals, rodent insulin-secreting cell lines and rodent islets suggest that insulin acts in an autocrine manner to regulate β-cell mass and gene expression. Very little is known about the in vitro roles played by insulin in human islets, and the regulatory role of insulin in protecting against β-cell apoptosis. We have identified mRNAs encoding IRs (insulin receptors) and downstream signalling elements in dissociated human islet β-cells by single-cell RT (reverse transcription)–PCR, and perifusion studies have indicated that insulin does not have an autocrine role to regulate insulin secretion from human islets, but activation of the closely related IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor 1) receptors is linked to inhibition of insulin secretion. Knockdown of IR mRNA by siRNAs (small interfering RNAs) decreased IR protein expression without affecting IGF-1 receptor levels, and blocked glucose stimulation of preproinsulin gene expression. Similar results were obtained when human islet IRS (IR substrate)-2 was knocked down, whereas depletion of IRS-1 caused an increase in preproinsulin mRNA levels. Studies using the mouse MIN6 β-cell line indicated that glucose protected β-cells from undergoing apoptosis and that this was a consequence, at least in part, of insulin release in response to elevated glucose. IGF-1 also exerted anti-apoptotic effects. These data indicate that insulin can exert autocrine effects in human islets through receptors on β-cells. It protects β-cells against apoptosis and increases preproinsulin mRNA synthesis, but does not affect insulin secretion.

scholarly journals Enhanced expression of hexokinase I in pancreatic islets induced by sucrose administration

2006 ◽  
Vol 189 (2) ◽  
pp. 311-317 ◽  
Author(s):  
B Maiztegui ◽  
M I Borelli ◽  
M L Massa ◽  
H Del Zotto ◽  
J J Gagliardino
Keyword(s):  
Insulin Secretion ◽  
High Glucose ◽  
Mrna Level ◽  
Cell Mass ◽  
Transcription Rate ◽  
Β Cell ◽  
Expression Levels ◽  
Insulin Resistant ◽  
Enhanced Expression ◽  
Low Glucose

Administration of a sucrose-rich diet (SRD) to normal hamsters induces an insulin-resistant state and a significant increase of insulin secretion and β-cell mass. Islets isolated from these animals had a marked increase in glucose metabolism and glucose-induced insulin secretion, at both low and high glucose concentrations. They also presented increased hexokinase (HK) activity, without measurable changes in glucokinase (GK) activity. In this study we measured HK and GK activity in homogenates of islets isolated from normal control and SRD-fed hamsters, as well as in their particulate and cytosolic fractions. We also measured transcription rate (mRNA by reverse transcriptase PCR) and expression levels (Western blotting) of both enzymes in these islets. We found an increase in HK activity and expression levels, without measurable changes in HK mRNA level in SRD-fed animals. Whereas a similar GK activity was measured in homogenates of islets isolated from both groups, such activity was significantly higher in the cytosolic fraction of SRD islets. On the other hand, GK transcription rate and expression level were similar in both experimental groups. Our results suggest that the increased β-cell secretory response to low glucose can be partly ascribed to an increased activity of islet HK consecutive to an enhanced expression of the enzyme, while the enhanced response to high glucose could be due to changes in GK compartmentalization.

Antioxidants N-acetyl-l-cysteine and manganese(III)tetrakis (4-benzoic acid)porphyrin do not prevent β-cell dysfunction in rat islets cultured in high glucose for 1 wk

2006 ◽  
Vol 291 (1) ◽  
pp. E137-E146 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Z. Khaldi ◽  
H. Elouil ◽  
Y. Guiot ◽  
J. C. Henquin ◽  
J. C. Jonas
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Hydrogen Peroxide ◽  
Insulin Secretion ◽  
Benzoic Acid ◽  
High Glucose ◽  
Heme Oxygenase 1 ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Β Cell ◽  
Rat Islets ◽  
Cell Dysfunction

We previously showed that the stimulation of heme oxygenase-1 expression by high glucose and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in cultured rat islets is prevented by antioxidants and suggested that this effect of high glucose results from an oxidative stress. However, the role of oxidative stress in high-glucose-induced β-cell dysfunction is unclear. We therefore compared the preventative effects of N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC), a free radical scavenger, and manganese(III)tetrakis (4-benzoic acid)porphyrin (MnTBAP), a superoxide dismutase/catalase mimetic agent, on the alteration of stimulus-secretion coupling induced in rat islets by overnight exposure to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2-treated islets) or 1-wk culture in 30 vs. 10 mmol/l glucose (High-glucose vs. Control islets). The features of β-cell dysfunction differed between the two groups: reduced glucose-induced insulin secretion without changes in glucose sensitivity in H2O2-treated islets; increased sensitivity to glucose with parallel reductions in insulin content and maximal rate of glucose-induced insulin secretion in High-glucose islets. The latter alterations were accompanied by a decrease in preproinsulin without changes in pancreatic and duodenal homeobox gene 1 mRNA levels. The functional alterations induced by H2O2 were significantly prevented by addition of NAC or MnTBAP in the culture medium. In contrast, neither NAC nor MnTBAP affected the functional alterations induced by high glucose. These results suggest that β-cell dysfunction induced by 1-wk culture in high glucose does not result from an increase in oxidative stress.

scholarly journals GLP-2 Is Locally Produced From Human Islets and Balances Inflammation Through an Inter-Islet-Immune Cell Crosstalk

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei He ◽  
Osmond D. Rebello ◽  
Antonia Henne ◽  
Fabian Nikolka ◽  
Thomas Klein ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mrna Expression ◽  
High Glucose ◽  
Cell Function ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
Culture Media ◽  
Human Monocyte ◽  
Human Islets ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Β Cell ◽  
Glucagon Like Peptide

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) shows robust protective effects on β-cell survival and function and GLP-1 based therapies are successfully applied for type-2 diabetes (T2D) and obesity. Another cleavage product of pro-glucagon, Glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2; both GLP-1 and GLP-2 are inactivated by DPP-4) has received little attention in its action inside pancreatic islets. In this study, we investigated GLP-2 production, GLP-2 receptor (GLP-2R) expression and the effect of GLP-2R activation in human islets. Isolated human islets from non-diabetic donors were exposed to diabetogenic conditions: high glucose, palmitate, cytokine mix (IL-1β/IFN-γ) or Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the presence or absence of the DPP4-inhibitor linagliptin, the TLR4 inhibitor TAK-242, the GLP-2R agonist teduglutide and/or its antagonist GLP-2(3-33). Human islets under control conditions secreted active GLP-2 (full-length, non-cleaved by DPP4) into the culture media, which was increased by combined high glucose/palmitate, the cytokine mix and LPS and highly potentiated by linagliptin. Low but reproducible GLP-2R mRNA expression was found in all analyzed human islet isolations from 10 donors, which was reduced by pro-inflammatory stimuli: the cytokine mix and LPS. GLP-2R activation by teduglutide neither affected acute or glucose stimulated insulin secretion nor insulin content. Also, teduglutide had no effect on high glucose/palmitate- or LPS-induced dysfunction in cultured human islets but dampened LPS-induced macrophage-dependent IL1B and IL10 expression, while its antagonist GLP-2(3-33) abolished such reduction. In contrast, the expression of islet macrophage-independent cytokines IL6, IL8 and TNF was not affected by teduglutide. Medium conditioned by teduglutide-exposed human islets attenuated M1-like polarization of human monocyte-derived macrophages, evidenced by a lower mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, compared to vehicle treated islets, and a reduced production of itaconate and succinate, marker metabolites of pro-inflammatory macrophages. Our results reveal intra-islet production of GLP-2 and GLP-2R expression in human islets. Despite no impact on β-cell function, local GLP-2R activation reduced islet inflammation which might be mediated by a crosstalk between endocrine cells and macrophages.

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

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.

scholarly journals PDX1LOW MAFALOW β-cells contribute to islet function and insulin release

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela Nasteska ◽  
Nicholas H. F. Fine ◽  
Fiona B. Ashford ◽  
Federica Cuozzo ◽  
Katrina Viloria ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Insulin Secretion ◽  
Insulin Release ◽  
Metabolic Stress ◽  
Human Islets ◽  
Islet Function ◽  
Β Cells ◽  
Β Cell ◽  
Ionic Fluxes ◽  
Transcriptomic Level ◽  
Adult Islet

AbstractTranscriptionally mature and immature β-cells co-exist within the adult islet. How such diversity contributes to insulin release remains poorly understood. Here we show that subtle differences in β-cell maturity, defined using PDX1 and MAFA expression, contribute to islet operation. Functional mapping of rodent and human islets containing proportionally more PDX1HIGH and MAFAHIGH β-cells reveals defects in metabolism, ionic fluxes and insulin secretion. At the transcriptomic level, the presence of increased numbers of PDX1HIGH and MAFAHIGH β-cells leads to dysregulation of gene pathways involved in metabolic processes. Using a chemogenetic disruption strategy, differences in PDX1 and MAFA expression are shown to depend on islet Ca2+ signaling patterns. During metabolic stress, islet function can be restored by redressing the balance between PDX1 and MAFA levels across the β-cell population. Thus, preserving heterogeneity in PDX1 and MAFA expression, and more widely in β-cell maturity, might be important for the maintenance of islet function.

scholarly journals Characterization of glucose-insulin responsiveness and impact of fetal number and sex difference on insulin response in the sheep fetus

2011 ◽  
Vol 300 (5) ◽  
pp. E817-E823 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alice S. Green ◽  
Antoni R. Macko ◽  
Paul J. Rozance ◽  
Dustin T. Yates ◽  
Xiaochuan Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Insulin Secretion ◽  
Sex Difference ◽  
Cell Mass ◽  
Insulin Response ◽  
Β Cell ◽  
Fetal Sheep ◽  
Square Wave ◽  
Hyperglycemic Clamp ◽  
Insulin Responsiveness ◽  
Sheep Fetus

GSIS is often measured in the sheep fetus by a square-wave hyperglycemic clamp, but maximal β-cell responsiveness and effects of fetal number and sex difference have not been fully evaluated. We determined the dose-response curve for GSIS in fetal sheep (0.9 of gestation) by increasing plasma glucose from euglycemia in a stepwise fashion. The glucose-insulin response was best fit by curvilinear third-order polynomial equations for singletons ( y = 0.018 x3 − 0.26 x2 + 1.2 x − 0.64) and twins ( y = −0.012 x3 + 0.043 x2 + 0.40 x − 0.16). In singles, maximal insulin secretion was achieved at 3.4 ± 0.2 mmol/l glucose but began to plateau after 2.4 ± 0.2 mmol/l glucose (90% of maximum), whereas the maximum for twins was reached at 4.8 ± 0.4 mmol/l glucose. In twin ( n = 18) and singleton ( n = 49) fetuses, GSIS was determined with a square-wave hyperglycemic clamp >2.4 mmol/l glucose. Twins had a lower basal glucose concentration, and plasma insulin concentrations were 59 ( P < 0.01) and 43% ( P < 0.05) lower in twins than singletons during the euglycemic and hyperglycemic periods, respectively. The basal glucose/insulin ratio was approximately doubled in twins vs. singles ( P < 0.001), indicating greater insulin sensitivity. In a separate cohort of fetuses, twins ( n = 8) had lower body weight ( P < 0.05) and β-cell mass ( P < 0.01) than singleton fetuses ( n = 7) as a result of smaller pancreata ( P < 0.01) and a positive correlation ( P < 0.05) between insulin immunopositive area and fetal weight ( P < 0.05). No effects of sex difference on GSIS or β-cell mass were observed. These findings indicate that insulin secretion is less responsive to physiological glucose concentrations in twins, due in part to less β-cell mass.

scholarly journals Regulation of Insulin Secretion and β-Cell Mass by Activating Signal Cointegrator 2

2006 ◽  
Vol 26 (12) ◽  
pp. 4553-4563 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seon-Yong Yeom ◽  
Geun Hyang Kim ◽  
Chan Hee Kim ◽  
Heun Don Jung ◽  
So-Yeon Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Insulin Secretion ◽  
Endocrine Cells ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Cell Mass ◽  
Dominant Negative ◽  
Transcriptional Coactivator ◽  
Β Cells ◽  
Β Cell ◽  
Islet Mass

ABSTRACT Activating signal cointegrator 2 (ASC-2) is a transcriptional coactivator of many nuclear receptors (NRs) and other transcription factors and contains two NR-interacting LXXLL motifs (NR boxes). In the pancreas, ASC-2 is expressed only in the endocrine cells of the islets of Langerhans, but not in the exocrine cells. Thus, we examined the potential role of ASC-2 in insulin secretion from pancreatic β-cells. Overexpressed ASC-2 increased glucose-elicited insulin secretion, whereas insulin secretion was decreased in islets from ASC-2+/− mice. DN1 and DN2 are two dominant-negative fragments of ASC-2 that contain NR boxes 1 and 2, respectively, and block the interactions of cognate NRs with the endogenous ASC-2. Primary rat islets ectopically expressing DN1 or DN2 exhibited decreased insulin secretion. Furthermore, relative to the wild type, ASC-2+/− mice showed reduced islet mass and number, which correlated with increased apoptosis and decreased proliferation of ASC-2+/− islets. These results suggest that ASC-2 regulates insulin secretion and β-cell survival and that the regulatory role of ASC-2 in insulin secretion appears to involve, at least in part, its interaction with NRs via its two NR boxes.

scholarly journals Insulin secretion in health and disease: nutrients dictate the pace

2015 ◽  
Vol 75 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Romano Regazzi ◽  
Adriana Rodriguez-Trejo ◽  
Cécile Jacovetti
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Insulin Secretion ◽  
Cell Mass ◽  
Insulin Biosynthesis ◽  
Β Cells ◽  
Β Cell ◽  
Altered Expression ◽  
Cell Dysfunction ◽  
Dietary Nutrients ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms

Insulin is a key hormone controlling metabolic homeostasis. Loss or dysfunction of pancreatic β-cells lead to the release of insufficient insulin to cover the organism needs, promoting diabetes development. Since dietary nutrients influence the activity of β-cells, their inadequate intake, absorption and/or utilisation can be detrimental. This review will highlight the physiological and pathological effects of nutrients on insulin secretion and discuss the underlying mechanisms. Glucose uptake and metabolism in β-cells trigger insulin secretion. This effect of glucose is potentiated by amino acids and fatty acids, as well as by entero-endocrine hormones and neuropeptides released by the digestive tract in response to nutrients. Glucose controls also basal and compensatory β-cell proliferation and, along with fatty acids, regulates insulin biosynthesis. If in the short-term nutrients promote β-cell activities, chronic exposure to nutrients can be detrimental to β-cells and causes reduced insulin transcription, increased basal secretion and impaired insulin release in response to stimulatory glucose concentrations, with a consequent increase in diabetes risk. Likewise, suboptimal early-life nutrition (e.g. parental high-fat or low-protein diet) causes altered β-cell mass and function in adulthood. The mechanisms mediating nutrient-induced β-cell dysfunction include transcriptional, post-transcriptional and translational modifications of genes involved in insulin biosynthesis and secretion, carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, cell differentiation, proliferation and survival. Altered expression of these genes is partly caused by changes in non-coding RNA transcripts induced by unbalanced nutrient uptake. A better understanding of the mechanisms leading to β-cell dysfunction will be critical to improve treatment and find a cure for diabetes.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document