The Effects of Beta-cell Mass and Function, Intercellular Coupling, and islet Synchrony on Ca2+ Dynamics in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Author(s):  
Maryam Saadati ◽  
Yousef Jamali

Abstract Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a challenging metabolic disorder characterized by a substantial loss of beta-cell mass via progressive programmed cell death and alteration of beta-cell function in the islets of Langerhans, disrupting insulin secretion and glucose homeostasis. The mechanisms for deficiency in beta-cell mass and function during the hyperglycemia development and T2D pathogenesis are complex. To study the relative contribution of beta-cell mass to beta-cell function in T2D, we make use of a comprehensive electrophysiological model from human beta-cell clusters. We find that defect in beta-cell mass causes a functional decline in single beta-cell, impairment in intra-islet synchrony, and changes in the form of oscillatory patterns of membrane potential and intracellular Ca2+ concentration, which can lead to changes in insulin secretion dynamics and insulin levels. The model demonstrates good correspondence between suppression of synchronizing electrical activity and pulsatile insulin release, and published experimental measurements. We then compare the role of gap junction-mediated electrical coupling with both beta-cell synchronization and metabolic coupling in the behavior of Ca2+ concentration dynamics within human islets. Our results indicate that inter-beta-cellular electrical coupling depicts a more important factor in shaping the physiological regulation of islet function and in human T2D. We further predict that varying the conductance gating of delayed rectifier K+ channels modifies oscillatory activity patterns of the beta-cell population lacking intercellular coupling, which significantly affects Ca2+ concentration and insulin secretion.

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maryam Saadati ◽  
Yousef Jamali

AbstractType 2 diabetes (T2D) is a challenging metabolic disorder characterized by a substantial loss of $$\beta $$ β -cell mass and alteration of $$\beta $$ β -cell function in the islets of Langerhans, disrupting insulin secretion and glucose homeostasis. The mechanisms for deficiency in $$\beta $$ β -cell mass and function during the hyperglycemia development and T2D pathogenesis are complex. To study the relative contribution of $$\beta $$ β -cell mass to $$\beta $$ β -cell function in T2D, we make use of a comprehensive electrophysiological model of human $$\beta $$ β -cell clusters. We find that defect in $$\beta $$ β -cell mass causes a functional decline in single $$\beta $$ β -cell, impairment in intra-islet synchrony, and changes in the form of oscillatory patterns of membrane potential and intracellular $${\text {Ca}}^{2+}$$ Ca 2 + concentration, which can lead to changes in insulin secretion dynamics and in insulin levels. The model demonstrates a good correspondence between suppression of synchronizing electrical activity and published experimental measurements. We then compare the role of gap junction-mediated electrical coupling with both $$\beta $$ β -cell synchronization and metabolic coupling in the behavior of $${\text {Ca}}^{2+}$$ Ca 2 + concentration dynamics within human islets. Our results indicate that inter-$$\beta $$ β -cellular electrical coupling depicts a more important factor in shaping the physiological regulation of islet function and in human T2D. We further predict that varying the whole-cell conductance of delayed rectifier $$\text {K}^{+}$$ K + channels modifies oscillatory activity patterns of $$\beta $$ β -cell population lacking intercellular coupling, which significantly affect $${\text {Ca}}^{2+}$$ Ca 2 + concentration and insulin secretion.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kazuno Omori ◽  
Akinobu Nakamura ◽  
Hideaki Miyoshi ◽  
Yuki Yamauchi ◽  
Shinichiro Kawata ◽  
...  

Efficacy of glucokinase activation on glycemic control is limited to a short-term period. One reason might be related with the excess glucose signalling by glucokinase activation towards beta-cells. In this study, we investigated the effect of glucokinase haploinsufficiency on glucose tolerance as well as beta-cell function and mass using a mouse model of type 2 diabetes. Our results showed that <i>db/db</i> mice with glucokinase haploinsufficiency presented amelioration of glucose tolerance by augmented insulin secretion associated with the increase in beta-cell mass when compared with <i>db/db</i> mice. Gene expression profiling, and immunohistochemical and metabolomic analyses revealed that glucokinase haploinsufficiency in the islets of <i>db/db</i> mice was associated with lower expression of stress-related genes, higher expression of transcription factors involved in the maintenance and maturation of beta-cell function, less mitochondrial damage, and a superior metabolic pattern. These effects of glucokinase haploinsufficiency could preserve beta-cell mass under diabetic conditions. These findings verified our hypothesis that optimizing excess glucose signalling in beta-cells by inhibiting glucokinase could prevent beta-cell insufficiency, leading to improving glucose tolerance in diabetes status by preserving beta-cell mass. Therefore, glucokinase inactivation in beta-cells could, paradoxically, be a potential strategy for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kazuno Omori ◽  
Akinobu Nakamura ◽  
Hideaki Miyoshi ◽  
Yuki Yamauchi ◽  
Shinichiro Kawata ◽  
...  

Efficacy of glucokinase activation on glycemic control is limited to a short-term period. One reason might be related with the excess glucose signalling by glucokinase activation towards beta-cells. In this study, we investigated the effect of glucokinase haploinsufficiency on glucose tolerance as well as beta-cell function and mass using a mouse model of type 2 diabetes. Our results showed that <i>db/db</i> mice with glucokinase haploinsufficiency presented amelioration of glucose tolerance by augmented insulin secretion associated with the increase in beta-cell mass when compared with <i>db/db</i> mice. Gene expression profiling, and immunohistochemical and metabolomic analyses revealed that glucokinase haploinsufficiency in the islets of <i>db/db</i> mice was associated with lower expression of stress-related genes, higher expression of transcription factors involved in the maintenance and maturation of beta-cell function, less mitochondrial damage, and a superior metabolic pattern. These effects of glucokinase haploinsufficiency could preserve beta-cell mass under diabetic conditions. These findings verified our hypothesis that optimizing excess glucose signalling in beta-cells by inhibiting glucokinase could prevent beta-cell insufficiency, leading to improving glucose tolerance in diabetes status by preserving beta-cell mass. Therefore, glucokinase inactivation in beta-cells could, paradoxically, be a potential strategy for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valérie Plaisance ◽  
Gérard Waeber ◽  
Romano Regazzi ◽  
Amar Abderrahmani

Pancreatic beta-cell function and mass are markedly adaptive to compensate for the changes in insulin requirement observed during several situations such as pregnancy, obesity, glucocorticoids excess, or administration. This requires a beta-cell compensation which is achieved through a gain of beta-cell mass and function. Elucidating the physiological mechanisms that promote functional beta-cell mass expansion and that protect cells against death, is a key therapeutic target for diabetes. In this respect, several recent studies have emphasized the instrumental role of microRNAs in the control of beta-cell function. MicroRNAs are negative regulators of gene expression, and are pivotal for the control of beta-cell proliferation, function, and survival. On the one hand, changes in specific microRNA levels have been associated with beta-cell compensation and are triggered by hormones or bioactive peptides that promote beta-cell survival and function. Conversely, modifications in the expression of other specific microRNAs contribute to beta-cell dysfunction and death elicited by diabetogenic factors including, cytokines, chronic hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia, and oxidized LDL. This review underlines the importance of targeting the microRNA network for future innovative therapies aiming at preventing the beta-cell decline in diabetes.


Diabetologia ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 63 (2) ◽  
pp. 313-323 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sophie R. Sayers ◽  
Rebecca L. Beavil ◽  
Nicholas H. F. Fine ◽  
Guo C. Huang ◽  
Pratik Choudhary ◽  
...  

Abstract Aims/hypothesis Progressive decline in functional beta cell mass is central to the development of type 2 diabetes. Elevated serum levels of extracellular nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (eNAMPT) are associated with beta cell failure in type 2 diabetes and eNAMPT immuno-neutralisation improves glucose tolerance in mouse models of diabetes. Despite this, the effects of eNAMPT on functional beta cell mass are poorly elucidated, with some studies having separately reported beta cell-protective effects of eNAMPT. eNAMPT exists in structurally and functionally distinct monomeric and dimeric forms. Dimerisation is essential for the NAD-biosynthetic capacity of NAMPT. Monomeric eNAMPT does not possess NAD-biosynthetic capacity and may exert distinct NAD-independent effects. This study aimed to fully characterise the structure-functional effects of eNAMPT on pancreatic beta cell functional mass and to relate these to beta cell failure in type 2 diabetes. Methods CD-1 mice and serum from obese humans who were without diabetes, with impaired fasting glucose (IFG) or with type 2 diabetes (from the Body Fat, Surgery and Hormone [BodyFatS&H] study) or with or at risk of developing type 2 diabetes (from the VaSera trial) were used in this study. We generated recombinant wild-type and monomeric eNAMPT to explore the effects of eNAMPT on functional beta cell mass in isolated mouse and human islets. Beta cell function was determined by static and dynamic insulin secretion and intracellular calcium microfluorimetry. NAD-biosynthetic capacity of eNAMPT was assessed by colorimetric and fluorescent assays and by native mass spectrometry. Islet cell number was determined by immunohistochemical staining for insulin, glucagon and somatostatin, with islet apoptosis determined by caspase 3/7 activity. Markers of inflammation and beta cell identity were determined by quantitative reverse transcription PCR. Total, monomeric and dimeric eNAMPT and nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) were evaluated by ELISA, western blot and fluorometric assay using serum from non-diabetic, glucose intolerant and type 2 diabetic individuals. Results eNAMPT exerts bimodal and concentration- and structure-functional-dependent effects on beta cell functional mass. At low physiological concentrations (~1 ng/ml), as seen in serum from humans without diabetes, eNAMPT enhances beta cell function through NAD-dependent mechanisms, consistent with eNAMPT being present as a dimer. However, as eNAMPT concentrations rise to ~5 ng/ml, as in type 2 diabetes, eNAMPT begins to adopt a monomeric form and mediates beta cell dysfunction, reduced beta cell identity and number, increased alpha cell number and increased apoptosis, through NAD-independent proinflammatory mechanisms. Conclusions/interpretation We have characterised a novel mechanism of beta cell dysfunction in type 2 diabetes. At low physiological levels, eNAMPT exists in dimer form and maintains beta cell function and identity through NAD-dependent mechanisms. However, as eNAMPT levels rise, as in type 2 diabetes, structure-functional changes occur resulting in marked elevation of monomeric eNAMPT, which induces a diabetic phenotype in pancreatic islets. Strategies to selectively target monomeric eNAMPT could represent promising therapeutic strategies for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Harutoshi Ozawa ◽  
Kenji Fukui ◽  
Sho Komukai ◽  
Yoshiya Hosokawa ◽  
Yukari Fujita ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective This study aimed to clarify the clinical significance of the maximum body mass index (BMI) before the onset of type 2 diabetes (MBBO) for predicting pancreatic beta-cell function. Methods This was a cross-sectional observational study. Of 1304 consecutively admitted patients with type 2 diabetes, we enrolled 410 patients satisfying the criteria in this study. The correlations between the C-peptide index (CPI), which is one of the parameters that reflects beta-cell function, and various clinical parameters, including MBBO and duration of diabetes, were analyzed in multiple linear regression analyses. Results The analyses revealed that MBBO was correlated with CPI independently after adjustment for age, sex, HbA1c, and duration of diabetes. When we divided the subjects into three subgroups by MBBO (MBBO &lt; 25 kg/m2; 25 kg/m2 ≤ MBBO &lt; 30 kg/m2; MBBO ≥ 30 kg/m2), CPI was negatively correlated with duration of diabetes in each subgroup, while the rates of CPI based on the duration of diabetes were not different among the three MBBO subgroups. In contrast, the declining rates of CPI were higher in the BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 group on admission than in the BMI &lt; 25 kg/m2 group on admission. Conclusions MBBO may be an independent factor correlating with beta-cell function and may predict insulin secretion capacity at diagnosis, but it does not seem to affect the rate of decline in insulin secretion capacity after diagnosis. It is important to preserve beta-cell function by decreasing a patient’s BMI during treatment after diagnosis regardless of MBBO.


2009 ◽  
Vol 21 (9) ◽  
pp. 14
Author(s):  
K. L. Gatford

Diabetes occurs when insulin secretion fails to increase sufficiently to compensate for developing insulin resistance. This implies that the increased risk of diabetes in adults who were small at birth reflects impaired insulin secretion as well as their well-known insulin resistance. More recently, direct evidence has been obtained that adults and children who were growth-restricted before birth secrete less insulin than they should, given their level of insulin resistance. Our research group is using the placentally-restricted (PR) sheep to investigate the mechanisms underlying impaired insulin action (sensitivity and secretion) induced by poor growth before birth. Like the intra-uterine growth-restricted (IUGR) human, the PR sheep develops impaired insulin action by adulthood, but has enhanced insulin sensitivity in infancy, associated with neonatal catch-up growth1, 2. Impaired insulin action begins to develop in early postnatal life, where although basal insulin action is high due to enhanced insulin sensitivity, maximal glucose-stimulated insulin action is already impaired in males3. Our cellular and molecular studies have identified impaired beta-cell function rather than mass as the likely cause of impaired insulin secretion, and we have reported a novel molecular defect in the calcium channels involved in the insulin secretion pathway in the pancreas of these lambs3. Upregulation of IGF-II and insulin receptor are implicated as key molecular regulators of beta-cell mass in the PR lamb3. By adulthood, both basal and maximal insulin action are profoundly impaired in the male lamb who was growth-restricted at birth2. These studies suggest therapies to prevent diabetes in the individual who grew poorly before birth should target beta-cell function, possibly in addition to further increasing beta-cell mass, to improve insulin secretion capacity, and its ability to increase in response to development of insulin resistance. We are now using the PR sheep to test potential therapies, since the timing of pancreatic development and hence exposure to a growth-restricting environment, is similar to that of the human.


Diabetologia ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 53 (11) ◽  
pp. 2369-2379 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Fontés ◽  
B. Zarrouki ◽  
D. K. Hagman ◽  
M. G. Latour ◽  
M. Semache ◽  
...  

Biomedicines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 1824
Author(s):  
Pierre Cheung ◽  
Olof Eriksson

Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disease affecting over 400 million people worldwide and one of the leading causes of death, especially in developing nations. The disease is characterized by chronic hyperglycemia, caused by defects in the insulin secretion or action pathway. Current diagnostic methods measure metabolic byproducts of the disease such as glucose level, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), insulin or C-peptide levels, which are indicators of the beta-cell function. However, they inaccurately reflect the disease progression and provide poor longitudinal information. Beta-cell mass has been suggested as an alternative approach to study disease progression in correlation to beta-cell function, as it behaves differently in the diabetes physiopathology. Study of the beta-cell mass, however, requires highly invasive and potentially harmful procedures such as pancreatic biopsies, making diagnosis and monitoring of the disease tedious. Nuclear medical imaging techniques using radiation emitting tracers have been suggested as strong non-invasive tools for beta-cell mass. A highly sensitive and high-resolution technique, such as positron emission tomography, provides an ideal solution for the visualization of beta-cell mass, which is particularly essential for better characterization of a disease such as diabetes, and for estimating treatment effects towards regeneration of the beta-cell mass. Development of novel, validated biomarkers that are aimed at beta-cell mass imaging are thus highly necessary and would contribute to invaluable breakthroughs in the field of diabetes research and therapies. This review aims to describe the various biomarkers and radioactive probes currently available for positron emission tomography imaging of beta-cell mass, as well as highlight the need for precise quantification and visualization of the beta-cell mass for designing new therapy strategies and monitoring changes in the beta-cell mass during the progression of diabetes.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document