scholarly journals Over-expression of AMP-activated protein kinase impairs pancreatic β-cell function in vivo

2005 ◽  
Vol 187 (2) ◽  
pp. 225-235 ◽  
Author(s):  
S K Richards ◽  
L E Parton ◽  
I Leclerc ◽  
G A Rutter ◽  
R M Smith

Treatment of type 1 diabetes by islet transplantation is currently limited by loss of functional β-cell mass after transplantation. We investigated here whether adenovirus-mediated changes in AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activity, previously shown to affect insulin secretion in vitro, might affect islet graft function in vivo. In isolated mouse and rat islets, insulin secretion stimulated by 17 (vs 3) mmol/l glucose was inhibited by 36.5% (P<0.01) and 43% (P<0.02) respectively after over-expression of constitutively-active AMPK- (AMPK CA) versus null (eGFP-expressing) viruses, and glucose oxidation was decreased by 38% (P<0.05) and 26.6% (P<0.05) respectively. Increases in apoptotic index (terminal deoxynucleotide transferase-mediated deoxyuridine trisphosphate biotin nick end-labelling) (TUNEL)) were also observed in AMPK CA- (22.8 ± 3.6% TUNEL-positive cells, P<0.001), but not AMPK DN- (2.72 ± 3.9%, positive cells, P=0.05) infected islets, versus null adenovirus-treated islets (0.68 ± 0.36% positive cells). Correspondingly, transplantation of islets expressing AMPK CA into streptozotocin-diabetic C57 BL/6 mice improved glycaemic control less effectively than transplantation with either null (P<0.02) or AMPK-DN-infected (P<0.01) islets. We conclude that activation of AMPK inhibits β-cell function in vivo and may represent a target for therapeutic intervention during islet transplantation.

2010 ◽  
Vol 298 (6) ◽  
pp. E1261-E1273 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gao Sun ◽  
Andrei I. Tarasov ◽  
James A. McGinty ◽  
Paul M. French ◽  
Angela McDonald ◽  
...  

The tumor suppressor liver kinase B1 (LKB1), also called STK11, is a protein kinase mutated in Peutz-Jeghers syndrome. LKB1 phosphorylates AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and several related protein kinases. Whereas deletion of both catalytic isoforms of AMPK from the pancreatic β-cell and hypothalamic neurons using the rat insulin promoter (RIP2). Cre transgene (βAMPKdKO) diminishes insulin secretion in vivo, deletion of LKB1 in the β-cell with an inducible Pdx-1.CreER transgene enhances insulin secretion in mice. To determine whether the differences between these models reflect genuinely distinct roles for the two kinases in the β-cell or simply differences in the timing and site(s) of deletion, we have therefore created mice deleted for LKB1 with the RIP2.Cre transgene. In marked contrast to βAMPKdKO mice, βLKB1KO mice showed diminished food intake and weight gain, enhanced insulin secretion, unchanged insulin sensitivity, and improved glucose tolerance. In line with the phenotype of Pdx1- CreER mice, total β-cell mass and the size of individual islets and β-cells were increased and islet architecture was markedly altered in βLKB1KO islets. Signaling by mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) to eIF4-binding protein-1 and ribosomal S6 kinase was also enhanced. In contrast to Pdx1- CreER-mediated deletion, the expression of Glut2, glucose-induced changes in membrane potential and intracellular Ca2+ were sharply reduced in βLKB1KO mouse islets and the stimulation of insulin secretion was modestly inhibited. We conclude that LKB1 and AMPK play distinct roles in the control of insulin secretion and that the timing of LKB1 deletion, and/or its loss from extrapancreatic sites, influences the final impact on β-cell function.


2010 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 234-244 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. L. Siebel ◽  
L. A. Gallo ◽  
T. C. Guan ◽  
J. A. Owens ◽  
M. E. Wlodek

Uteroplacental insufficiency and poor postnatal nutrition impair adult glucose tolerance and insulin secretion in male rat offspring, which can be partially ameliorated by improving postnatal nutrition. Uteroplacental insufficiency was induced in the WKY rat on day 18 of pregnancy (Restricted) compared to sham-operated Controls. Pups were then cross-fostered onto Control or Restricted mothers one day after birth resulting in: (Pup-on-Mother) Control-on-Control, Control-on-Restricted, Restricted-on-Control and Restricted-on-Restricted. Endocrine pancreatic morphology and markers of intrinsic β-cell function and glucose homeostasis were assessed in male offspring at 6 months. Pancreatic and hepatic gene expression was quantified at postnatal day 7 and 6 months. Restricted pups were born 10–15% lighter than Controls and remained lighter at 6 months. Relative islet and β-cell mass were 51–65% lower in Restricted-on-Restricted compared to Controls at 6 months. Non-fasting plasma C-reactive protein levels were also increased, suggestive of an inflammatory response. Overall, the average number of islets, small islets and proportion of β-cells per islet correlated positively with birth weight. Intrinsic β-cell function, estimated by insulin secretion relative to β-cell mass, was unaffected by Restriction, suggesting that the in vivo functional deficit was attributable to reduced mass, not function. Importantly, these deficits were ameliorated when lactational nutrition was normalized in Restricted-on-Control offspring, who also showed increased pancreatic Igf1r, Pdx1 and Vegf mRNA expression at 7 days compared to Control-on-Control and Restricted-on-Restricted. This highlights lactation as a critical period for intervention following prenatal restraint, whereby deficits in endocrine pancreatic mass and associated impaired in vivo insulin secretion can be ameliorated.


Endocrinology ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 147 (7) ◽  
pp. 3318-3325 ◽  
Author(s):  
Li-Xin Li ◽  
Patrick E. MacDonald ◽  
Diane S. Ahn ◽  
Gavin Y. Oudit ◽  
Peter H. Backx ◽  
...  

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) increases β-cell function and growth through protein kinase A- and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3-K)/protein kinase B, respectively. GLP-1 acts via a G protein-coupled receptor, and PI3-Kγ is known to be activated by Gβγ. Therefore, the role of PI3-Kγ in the chronic effects of GLP-1 on the β-cell was investigated using PI3-Kγ knockout (KO) mice treated with the GLP-1 receptor agonist, exendin-4 (Ex4; 1 nmol/kg sc every 24 h for 14 d). In vivo, glucose and insulin responses were similar in PBS- and Ex4-treated KO and wild-type (WT) mice. However, glucose-stimulated insulin secretion was markedly impaired in islets from PBS-KO mice (P &lt; 0.05), and this was partially normalized by chronic Ex4 treatment (P &lt; 0.05). In contrast, insulin content was increased in PBS-KO islets, and this was paradoxically decreased by Ex4 treatment, compared with the stimulatory effect of Ex4 on WT islets (P &lt; 0.05–0.01). Transfection of INS-1E β-cells with small interfering RNA for PI3-Kγ similarly decreased glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (P &lt; 0.01) and increased insulin content. Basal values for β-cell mass, islet number and proliferation, glucose transporter 2, glucokinase, and insulin receptor substrate-2 were increased in PBS-KO mice (P &lt; 0.05–0.001) and, although they were increased by Ex4 treatment of WT animals (P &lt; 0.05), they were decreased in Ex4-KO mice (P &lt; 0.05–0.01). These findings indicate that PI3-Kγ deficiency impairs insulin secretion, resulting in compensatory islet growth to maintain normoglycemia. Chronic Ex4 treatment normalizes the secretory defect, thereby relieving the pressure for expansion of β-cell mass. These studies reveal a new role for PI3-Kγ as a positive regulator of insulin secretion, and reinforce the importance of GLP-1 for the maintenance of normal β-cell function.


2008 ◽  
Vol 294 (1) ◽  
pp. E168-E175 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jamileh Movassat ◽  
Danièle Bailbé ◽  
Cécile Lubrano-Berthelier ◽  
Françoise Picarel-Blanchot ◽  
Eric Bertin ◽  
...  

The adult Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rat is characterized by impaired glucose-induced insulin secretion in vivo and in vitro, decreased β-cell mass, decreased insulin sensitivity in the liver, and moderate insulin resistance in muscles and adipose tissue. GK rats do not exhibit basal hyperglycemia during the first 3 wk after birth and therefore could be considered prediabetic during this period. Our aim was to identify the initial pathophysiological changes occurring during the prediabetes period in this model of type 2 diabetes (T2DM). To address this, we investigated β-cell function, insulin sensitivity, and body composition in normoglycemic prediabetic GK rats. Our results revealed that the in vivo secretory response of GK β-cells to glucose is markedly reduced and the whole body insulin sensitivity is increased in the prediabetic GK rats in vivo. Moreover, the body composition of suckling GK rats is altered compared with age-matched Wistar rats, with an increase of the number of adipocytes before weaning despite a decreased body weight and lean mass in the GK rats. None of these changes appeared to be due to the postnatal nutritional environment of GK pups as demonstrated by cross-fostering GK pups with nondiabetic Wistar dams. In conclusion, in the GK model of T2DM, β-cell dysfunction associated with increased insulin sensitivity and the alteration of body composition are proximal events that might contribute to the establishment of overt diabetes in adult GK rats.


Endocrinology ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 157 (2) ◽  
pp. 624-635 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joon Ha ◽  
Leslie S. Satin ◽  
Arthur S. Sherman

Abstract Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is generally thought to result from the combination of 2 metabolic defects, insulin resistance, which increases the level of insulin required to maintain glucose within the normal range, and failure of insulin-secreting pancreatic β-cells to compensate for the increased demand. We build on a mathematical model pioneered by Topp and colleagues to elucidate how compensation succeeds or fails. Their model added a layer of slow negative feedback to the classic insulin-glucose loop in the form of a slow, glucose-dependent birth and death law governing β-cell mass. We add to that model regulation of 2 aspects of β-cell function on intermediate time scales. The model quantifies the relative contributions of insulin action and insulin secretion defects to T2D and explains why prevention is easier than cure. The latter is a consequence of a threshold separating the normoglycemic and diabetic states (bistability), which also underlies the success of bariatric surgery and acute caloric restriction in rapidly reversing T2D. The threshold concept gives new insight into “Starling's Law of the Pancreas,” whereby insulin secretion is higher for prediabetics and early diabetics than for normal individuals.


2012 ◽  
Vol 109 (2) ◽  
pp. 236-247 ◽  
Author(s):  
Letícia Martins Ignácio-Souza ◽  
Sílvia Regina Reis ◽  
Vanessa Cristina Arantes ◽  
Bárbara Laet Botosso ◽  
Roberto Vilela Veloso ◽  
...  

Malnutrition in early life impairs glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in adulthood. Conversely, pregnancy is associated with a significant increase in glucose-stimulated insulin secretion under conditions of normoglycaemia. A failure in β-cell adaptive changes may contribute to the onset of diabetes. Thus, glucose homeostasis and β-cell function were evaluated in control-fed pregnant (CP) and non-pregnant (CNP) or protein-restricted pregnant (LPP) and non-pregnant (LPNP) rats, from fetal to adult life, and in protein-restricted rats that were recovered after weaning (RP and RNP). The typical insulin resistance of pregnancy was not observed in the RP rats, nor did pregnancy increase the insulin content/islet in the LPP group. The glucose dose–response curves from pregnant rats were shifted to the left in relation to the non-pregnant rats, except in the recovered group. Glucose utilisation but not oxidation in islets from the RP and LPP groups was reduced at a concentration of 8·3 mm-glucose compared with islets from the CP group. Cyclic AMP content and the potentiation of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion by isobutylmethylxanthine at a concentration of 2·8 mm-glucose indicated increased adenylyl cyclase 3 activity but reduced protein kinase A-α activity in islets from the RP and LPP rats. Protein kinase C (PKC)-α but not phospholipase C (PLC)-β1 expression was reduced in islets from the RP group. Phorbol-12-myristate 13-acetate produced a less potent stimulation of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in the RP group. Thus, the alterations exhibited by islets from the LPP group appeared to be due to reduced islet mass and/or insulin biosynthesis. In the RP group the loss of the adaptive capacity apparently resulted from uncoupling between glucose metabolism and the amplifying signals of the secretory process, as well as a severe attenuation of the PLC/PKC pathway.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mario A Miranda ◽  
Caryn Carson ◽  
Celine L St Pierre ◽  
Juan F Macias-Velasco ◽  
Jing W Hughes ◽  
...  

AbstractMaintenance of functional β-cell mass is critical to preventing diabetes, but the physiological mechanisms that cause β-cell populations to thrive or fail in the context of obesity are unknown. High fat-fed SM/J mice spontaneously transition from hyperglycemic-obese to normoglycemic-obese with age, providing a unique opportunity to study β-cell adaptation. Here, we characterize insulin homeostasis, islet morphology, and β-cell function during SM/J’s diabetic remission. As they resolve hyperglycemia, obese SM/J mice dramatically increase circulating and pancreatic insulin levels while improving insulin sensitivity. Immunostaining of pancreatic sections reveals that obese SM/J mice selectively increase β-cell mass but not α-cell mass. Obese SM/J mice do not show elevated β-cell mitotic index, but rather elevated α-cell mitotic index. Functional assessment of isolated islets reveals that obese SM/J mice increase glucose stimulated insulin secretion, decrease basal insulin secretion, and increase islet insulin content. These results establish that β-cell mass expansion and improved β-cell function underlie the resolution of hyperglycemia, indicating that obese SM/J mice are a valuable tool for exploring how functional β-cell mass can be recovered in the context of obesity.


Islets ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 199-206 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jingxuan Liu ◽  
Erik R. Walp ◽  
Catherine Lee May

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 421
Author(s):  
Hui Huang ◽  
Bradi R. Lorenz ◽  
Paula Horn Zelmanovitz ◽  
Catherine B. Chan

Prediabetes is a high-risk condition for type 2 diabetes (T2D). Pancreatic β-cells adapt to impaired glucose regulation in prediabetes by increasing insulin secretion and β-cell mass expansion. In people with prediabetes, metformin has been shown to prevent prediabetes conversion to diabetes. However, emerging evidence indicates that metformin has negative effects on β-cell function and survival. Our previous study established the Nile rat (NR) as a model for prediabetes, recapitulating characteristics of human β-cell compensation in function and mass expansion. In this study, we investigated the action of metformin on β-cells in vivo and in vitro. A 7-week metformin treatment improved glucose tolerance by reducing hepatic glucose output and enhancing insulin secretion. Although high-dose metformin inhibited β-cell glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in vitro, stimulation of β-cell insulin secretion was preserved in metformin-treated NRs via an indirect mechanism. Moreover, β-cells in NRs receiving metformin exhibited increased endoplasmic reticulum (ER) chaperones and alleviated apoptotic unfold protein response (UPR) without changes in the expression of cell identity genes. Additionally, metformin did not suppress β-cell mass compensation or proliferation. Taken together, despite the conflicting role indicated by in vitro studies, administration of metformin does not exert a negative effect on β-cell function or cell mass and, instead, early metformin treatment may help protect β-cells from exhaustion and decompensation.


2008 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 187-194 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanna K Nyblom ◽  
Ernest Sargsyan ◽  
Peter Bergsten

Prolonged hyperglycaemia leads to impaired glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) and apoptosis in insulin-producing β-cells. The detrimental effects have been connected with glucose-induced lipid accumulation in the β-cell. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) agonist, 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleoside (AICAR), promotes utilization of nutrient stores for energy production. It was tested how impaired GSIS and elevated apoptosis observed in insulinoma (INS)-1E cells after prolonged culture at 27 mM glucose were affected by the inclusion of 0.3 or 1 mM AICAR during culture. Glucose-induced impairment of insulin release was reverted by the inclusion of 0.3 but not 1 mM AICAR, which did not affect insulin content. The glucose-induced rise in triglyceride (TG) content observed in the cells cultured at 27 mM glucose was not altered by the inclusion of either 0.3 or 1 mM AICAR. Inclusion of 1 but not 0.3 mM AICAR during culture induced phosphorylation of AMPK and its downstream target acyl-CoA carboxylase. Phosphorylation was paralleled by reduced number of apoptotic cells and lowered expression of pro-apoptotic C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP). In conclusion, AICAR dose dependently improves β-cell function and reduces apoptosis in β-cells exposed to prolonged hyperglycaemia without changing TG levels.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document