Protein-tyrosine phosphatases are involved in interferon resistance associated with insulin resistance in HepG2 cells and obese mice

Insulin resistance is a risk factor for non-response to interferon/ribavirin therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C. The aim of this study was to determine the role played by protein-tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) in the absence of interferon-α (IFNα) response associated with insulin resistance. We induced insulin resistance by silencing IRS-2 or by treating HepG2 cells with tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) and analyzed insulin response by evaluating Akt phosphorylation and IFNα response by measuring Stat-1 tyrosine phosphorylation and 2',5'-oligoadenylate synthase and myxovirus resistance gene expression. The response to IFNα was also measured in insulin-resistant obese mice (high fat diet and ob/ob mice) untreated and treated with metformin. Silencing IRS-2 mRNA induces insulin resistance and inhibits IFNα response. Likewise, TNFα suppresses insulin and IFNα response. Treatment of cells with pervanadate and knocking down PTP-1B restores insulin and IFNα response. Both silencing IRS-2 and TNFα treatment increase PTP and PTP-1B activity. Metformin inhibits PTP and improves IFNα response in insulin-resistant cells. Insulin-resistant ob/ob mice have increased PTP-1B gene expression and activity in the liver and do not respond to IFNα administration. Treatment with metformin improves this response. In HepG2 cells, insulin resistance provokes IFNα resistance, which is associated with an increased PTP-1B activity in the liver. Inhibition of PTP-1B activity with pervanadate and metformin or knocking down PTP-1B reestablishes IFNα response. Likewise, metformin decreases PTP-1B activity and improves response to IFNα in insulin-resistant obese mice. The use of PTP-1B inhibitors may improve the response to IFNα/ribavirin therapy.     

In vivo phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate 1 at serine 789 by a novel serine kinase in insulin-resistant rodents

Insulin resistance is a key pathophysiologic feature of obesity and type 2 diabetes and is associated with other human diseases, including atherosclerosis, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and polycystic ovarian disease. Yet, the specific cellular defects that cause insulin resistance are not precisely known. Insulin receptor substrate (IRS) proteins are important signaling molecules that mediate insulin action in insulin-sensitive cells. Recently, serine phosphorylation of IRS proteins has been implicated in attenuating insulin signaling and is thought to be a potential mechanism for insulin resistance. However, in vivo increased serine phosphorylation of IRS proteins in insulin-resistant animal models has not been reported before. In the present study, we have confirmed previous findings in both JCR:LA-cp and Zucker fatty rats, two genetically unrelated insulin-resistant rodent models, that an enhanced serine kinase activity in liver is associated with insulin resistance. The enhanced serine kinase specifically phosphorylates the conserved Ser(789) residue in IRS-1, which is in a sequence motif separate from the ones for MAPK, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, glycogen-synthase kinase 3 (GSK-3), Akt, phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase, or casein kinase. It is similar to the phosphorylation motif for AMP-activated protein kinase, but the serine kinase in the insulin-resistant animals was shown not to be an AMP-activated protein kinase, suggesting a potential novel serine kinase. Using a specific antibody against Ser(P)(789) peptide of IRS-1, we then demonstrated for the first time a striking increase of Ser(789)-phosphorylated IRS-1 in livers of insulin-resistant rodent models, indicating enhanced serine kinase activity in vivo. Taken together, these data strongly suggest that unknown serine kinase activity and Ser(789) phosphorylation of IRS-1 may play an important role in attenuating insulin signaling in insulin-resistant animal models.     

Contrasting effects of IRS-1 versus IRS-2 gene disruption on carbohydrate and lipid metabolism in vivo

To examine the impact of homozygous genetic disruption of insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1 (IRS-1(-/-)) or IRS-2 (IRS-2(-/-)) on basal and insulin-stimulated carbohydrate and lipid metabolism in vivo, we infused 18-h fasted mice (wild-type (WT), IRS-1(-/-), and IRS-2(-/-)) with [3-(3)H]glucose and [(2)H(5)]glycerol and assessed rates of glucose and glycerol turnover under basal (0-90 min) and hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp (90-210 min; 5 mm glucose, and 5 milliunits of insulin.kg(-)(1).min(-)(1)) conditions. Both IRS-1(-)(/-) and IRS-2(-)(/-) mice were insulin-resistant as reflected by markedly impaired insulin-stimulated whole-body glucose utilization compared with WT mice. Insulin resistance in the IRS-1(-)(/-) mice could be ascribed mainly to decreased insulin-stimulated peripheral glucose metabolism. In contrast, IRS-2(-)(/-) mice displayed multiple defects in insulin-mediated carbohydrate metabolism as reflected by (i) decreased peripheral glucose utilization, (ii) decreased suppression of endogenous glucose production, and (iii) decreased hepatic glycogen synthesis. Additionally, IRS-2(-)(/-) mice also showed marked insulin resistance in adipose tissue as reflected by reduced suppression of plasma free fatty acid concentrations and glycerol turnover during the hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp. These data suggest important tissue-specific roles for IRS-1 and IRS-2 in mediating the effect of insulin on carbohydrate and lipid metabolism in vivo in mice. IRS-1 appears to have its major role in muscle, whereas IRS-2 appears to impact on liver, muscle, and adipose tissue.     

Identification of enhanced serine kinase activity in insulin resistance

Insulin receptor substrate (IRS) proteins play a crucial role as signaling molecules in insulin action. Serine phosphorylation of IRS proteins has been hypothesized as a cause of attenuating insulin signaling. The current study investigated serine kinase activity toward IRS-1 in several models of insulin resistance. An in vitro kinase assay was developed that used partially purified cell lysates as a kinase and glutathione S-transferase fusion proteins that contained various of IRS-1 fragments as substrates. Elevated serine kinase activity was detected in Chinese hamster ovary/insulin receptor (IR)/IRS-1 cells and 3T3-L1 adipocytes chronically treated with insulin, and in liver and muscle of obese JCR:LA-cp rats. It phosphorylated the 526-859 amino acid region of IRS-1, whereas phosphorylation of the 2-516 and 900-1235 amino acid regions was not altered. Phosphopeptide mapping of the 526-859 region of IRS-1 showed three major phosphopeptides (P1, P2, and P3) with different patterns of phosphorylation depending on the source of serine kinase activity. P1 and P2 were strongly phosphorylated when the kinase activity was prepared from insulin-resistant Chinese hamster ovary/IR/IRS-1 cells, weakly phosphorylated by the kinase activity from insulin-resistant 3T3-L1 adipocytes, and barely phosphorylated when the extract was derived from insulin-resistant liver. In contrast, P3 was phosphorylated by the serine kinase activity prepared from all insulin-resistant cells and tissues of animals. P1 and P2 phosphorylation can be explained by mitogen-activated protein kinase activity based on the phosphopeptide map generated by recombinant ERK2. In contrast, mitogen-activated protein kinase failed to phosphorylate the P3 peptide, suggesting that another serine kinase regulates this modification of IRS-1 in insulin-resistant state.     

Impact of genetic background and ablation of insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-3 on IRS-2 knock-out mice

Although we and others have generated IRS-2 knock-out (IRS-2(-/-)) mice, significant differences were seen between the two lines of IRS-2(-/-) mice in the severity of diabetes and alterations of beta-cell mass. It has been reported that although IRS-1 and IRS-3 knock-out mice showed normal blood glucose levels, IRS-1/IRS-3 double knock-out mice exhibited marked hyperglycemia. Thus, IRS-1 and IRS-3 compensate each other's functions in maintaining glucose homeostasis. To assess the effect of genetic background and also ablation of IRS-3 on IRS-2(-/-), we generated IRS-2/IRS-3 double knock-out (IRS-2(-/-)IRS-3(-/-)) mice by crossing IRS-3(-/-) mice (129/Sv and C57Bl/6 background) with our IRS-2(-/-) mice (CBA and C57Bl/6 background). Intercrosses of IRS-2(+/-)IRS-3(+/-) mice yielded nine genotypes, and all of them including IRS-2(-/-)IRS-3(-/-) mice were apparently healthy and showed normal growth. However, at 10-20 weeks of age, 20-30% mice carrying a null mutation for the IRS-2 gene, irrespective of the IRS-3 genotype, developed diabetes. When mice with diabetes were excluded from the analysis of glucose and insulin tolerance test, IRS-2(-/-)IRS-3(-/-) showed a degree of glucose intolerance and insulin resistance similar to those of IRS-2(-/-) mice. Both IRS-2(-/-) and IRS-2(-/-)IRS-3(-/-) mice had moderately reduced beta-cell mass despite having insulin resistance. Insulin-positive beta-cells were decreased to nearly zero in IRS-2(-/-) mice with diabetes. Although Pdx1 and glucose transporter 2 expressions were essentially unaltered in islets from IRS-2(-/-) mice without diabetes, they were dramatically decreased in IRS-2(-/-) mice with diabetes. Taken together, these observations indicate that IRS-3 does not play a role compensating for the loss of IRS-2 in maintaining glucose homeostasis and that the severity of diabetes in IRS-2(-/-) mice depends upon genetic background, suggesting the existence of modifier gene(s) for diabetes in mice of the 129/Sv genetic strain.     

Accelerated glucose intolerance, nephropathy, and atherosclerosis in prostaglandin D2 synthase knock-out mice

Type 2 diabetics have an increased risk of developing atherosclerosis, suggesting the mechanisms that cause this disease are enhanced by insulin resistance. In this study we examined the effects of gene knock-out (KO) of lipocalin-type prostaglandin D(2) synthase (L-PGDS), a protein found at elevated levels in type 2 diabetics, on diet-induced glucose tolerance and atherosclerosis. Our results show that L-PGDS KO mice become glucose-in-tolerant and insulin-resistant at an accelerated rate when compared with the C57BL/6 control strain. Adipocytes were significantly larger in the L-PGDS KO mice compared with controls on the same diets. Cell culture data revealed significant differences between insulin-stimulated mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase-2, protein-tyrosine phosphatase-1D, and phosphorylated focal adhesion kinase expression levels in L-PGDS KO vascular smooth muscle cells and controls. In addition, only the L-PGDS KO mice developed nephropathy and an aortic thickening reminiscent to the early stages of atherosclerosis when fed a "diabetogenic" high fat diet. We conclude that L-PGDS plays an important role regulating insulin sensitivity and atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetes and may represent a novel model of insulin resistance, atherosclerosis, and diabetic nephropathy.     

Inducible nitric-oxide synthase and NO donor induce insulin receptor substrate-1 degradation in skeletal muscle cells

Chronic inflammation plays an important role in insulin resistance. Inducible nitric-oxide synthase (iNOS), a mediator of inflammation, has been implicated in many human diseases including insulin resistance. However, the molecular mechanisms by which iNOS mediates insulin resistance remain largely unknown. Here we demonstrate that exposure to NO donor or iNOS transfection reduced insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1 protein expression without altering the mRNA level in cultured skeletal muscle cells. NO donor increased IRS-1 ubiquitination, and proteasome inhibitors blocked NO donor-induced reduction in IRS-1 expression in cultured skeletal muscle cells. The effect of NO donor on IRS-1 expression was cGMP-independent and accentuated by concomitant oxidative stress, suggesting an involvement of nitrosative stress. Inhibitors for phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase, mammalian target of rapamycin, and c-Jun amino-terminal kinase failed to block NO donor-induced IRS-1 reduction, whereas these inhibitors prevented insulin-stimulated IRS-1 decrease. Moreover iNOS expression was increased in skeletal muscle of diabetic (ob/ob) mice compared with lean wild-type mice. iNOS gene disruption or treatment with iNOS inhibitor ameliorated depressed IRS-1 expression in skeletal muscle of diabetic (ob/ob) mice. These findings indicate that iNOS reduces IRS-1 expression in skeletal muscle via proteasome-mediated degradation and thereby may contribute to obesity-related insulin resistance.     

Essential role of protein kinase C zeta in the impairment of insulin-induced glucose transport in IRS-2-deficient brown adipocytes

Insulin receptor substrate-2-deficient (IRS-2(-/-)) mice develop type 2 diabetes. We have investigated the molecular mechanisms by which IRS-2(-/-) immortalized brown adipocytes showed an impaired response to insulin in inducing GLUT4 translocation and glucose uptake. IRS-2-associated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) activity was blunted in IRS-2(-/-) cells, total PI 3-kinase activity being reduced by 30%. Downstream, activation of protein kinase C (PKC) zeta was abolished in IRS-2(-/-) cells. Reconstitution with retroviral IRS-2 restores IRS-2/PI 3-kinase/PKC zeta signalling, as well as glucose uptake. Wild-type cells expressing a kinase-inactive mutant of PKC zeta lack GLUT4 translocation and glucose uptake. Our results support the essential role played by PKC zeta in the insulin resistance and impaired glucose uptake observed in IRS-2-deficient brown adipocytes.     

IRS-2, but not IRS-1, can sustain proliferation and rescue UBF stabilization in InR or InR defective signaling of 32D myeloid cells

Despite both IRS-1 and IRS-2 are two important adaptor molecules essential for intracellular signaling of insulin and IGF-I, the distinct biological pattern of IRS-2 versus IRS-1 remains as a concernful issue to be clarified. We demonstrated here an important evidence that in 32D myeloid cells expressing the insulin receptor (InR) or selected mutants of the InR, IRS-2, but not IRS-1, is required for promoting the proliferation and inhibiting the granulocytic differentiation, thus restore ERKs phosphorylation and UBF1 stabilization. In addition, unlike IRS-1, IRS-2 can effectively compensate the InR defective signaling and lead to the activation of cell cycle progression and proliferation genes in 32D myeloid cells. These results indicate a predominant role of IRS-2 involved in InR signaling of 32 D myeloid cells.     

IRS-2 branch of IGF-1 receptor signaling is essential for appropriate timing of myelination

Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 increases proliferation, inhibits apoptosis and promotes differentiation of oligodendrocytes and their precursor cells, indicating an important function for IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R) signaling in myelin development. The insulin receptor substrates (IRS), IRS-1 and -2 serve as intracellular IGF-1R adaptor proteins and are expressed in neurons, oligodendrocytes and their precursors. To address the role of IRS-2 in myelination, we analyzed myelination in IRS-2 deficient (IRS-2(-/-)) mice and age-matched controls during postnatal development. Interestingly, expression of the most abundant myelin proteins, myelin basic protein and proteolipid protein was reduced in IRS-2(-/-) brains at postnatal day 10 (P10) as compared to controls. myelin basic protein immunostaining in P10-IRS-2(-/-) mice revealed a reduced immunostaining, but an unchanged regional distribution pattern. In cerebral myelin isolates at P10 unaltered relative expression of different myelin proteins was found, indicating quantitatively reduced but not qualitatively altered myelination. Interestingly, up-regulation of IRS-1 expression and increased IGF-1R signaling were observed in IRS-2(-/-) mice at P10-14, indicating a compensatory mechanism to overcome IRS-2 deficiency. Adult IRS-2(-/-) mice showed unaltered myelination and motor function. Furthermore, in neuronal/brain-specific insulin receptor knockout mice myelination was unchanged. Thus, our experiments reveal that IGF-1R/IRS-2 mediated signals are critical for appropriate timing of myelination in vivo.     

Dok-1 is a positive regulator of IL-4 signalling and IgE response

Interleukin-4 (IL-4) plays an essential role in the control of humoral immunity by regulating lymphocyte proliferation and differentiation, including the T helper type 2 lineage commitment of CD4(+) T cells as well as the isotype switching to IgE in B cells. The adaptor protein Dok-1 is known to have an essential role in the negative regulation of a variety of cytokine signalling events. However, here we have found that the loss of Dok-1 impaired the proliferative response of CD4(+) T cells and B cells to IL-4. Conversely, the forced expression of Dok-1 in the myeloid cell line 32D augmented the IL-4-induced proliferation, indicating a positive role for Dok-1. Tyrosine phosphorylation, and thereby the activation of Stat6 and IRS-2, is critical for IL-4 signalling; however, only the activation of Stat6, not the IRS-2-dependent phosphorylation of Akt, was perturbed in Dok-1-deficient cells stimulated with IL-4. Furthermore, mice lacking Dok-1 showed an impaired IgE response to thymus-dependent antigen. Thus, Dok-1 is a positive regulator of IL-4 signalling and IgE response.     

Mechanisms of high-glucose/insulin-mediated desensitization of acute insulin-stimulated glucose transport and Akt activation

High-glucose/low-dose insulin-mediated insulin resistance of glucose transport was studied in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. In this model, proximal insulin signaling, including insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1-bound phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) activation, is preserved, but insulin-stimulated protein kinase B (Akt) activation is markedly impaired. To assess a difference in acute insulin-stimulated production of phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate [PtdIns(3,4,5)P3], cells were labeled with [32P]orthophosphate, and glycerophosphoinositides were quantified by HPLC. Although basal PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 was similar, insulin stimulated its production 33.6% more in controls (P < 0.03) than in insulin-resistant cells. Phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) protein, a lipid phosphatase that dephosphorylates PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 in the 3-position, was significantly and specifically increased in insulin-resistant cells. Treatment with rapamycin [a specific inhibitor of mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1)] inhibited the increased PTEN expression and partially restored insulin-stimulated glucose transport and Akt activation to insulin-resistant cells. Acute insulin markedly stimulated Ser(636/639) phosphorylation of IRS-1; this was rapamycin inhibited but was significantly decreased in cells that had been preexposed to insulin, whereas total IRS-1 was unaffected. These findings were essentially paralleled by changes in the activation of p70 S6 kinase and S6-ribosomal protein. Overexpression of uncoupling protein-1 or manganese superoxide dismutase did not prevent the development of insulin-resistant glucose transport and impaired Akt activation in high-glucose/low-insulin-pretreated cells. The insulin resistance associated with glucotoxicity in our model reflects in part decreased availability of PtdIns(3,4,5)P3, which correlates with increased PTEN protein expression. Chronic activation of mTORC1 plays a role in stimulating PTEN expression and possibly in activation or induction of a phosphoprotein phosphatase. No evidence was found for a role for increased mitochondrial superoxide production in this model.     

Role of pescadillo and upstream binding factor in the proliferation and differentiation of murine myeloid cells

Pescadillo (PES1) and the upstream binding factor (UBF1) play a role in ribosome biogenesis, which regulates cell size, an important component of cell proliferation. We have investigated the effects of PES1 and UBF1 on the growth and differentiation of cell lines derived from 32D cells, an interleukin-3 (IL-3)-dependent murine myeloid cell line. Parental 32D cells and 32D IGF-IR cells (expressing increased levels of the type 1 insulin-like growth factor I [IGF-I] receptor [IGF-IR]) do not express insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1) or IRS-2. 32D IGF-IR cells differentiate when the cells are shifted from IL-3 to IGF-I. Ectopic expression of IRS-1 inhibits differentiation and transforms 32D IGF-IR cells into a tumor-forming cell line. We found that PES1 and UBF1 increased cell size and/or altered the cell cycle distribution of 32D-derived cells but failed to make them IL-3 independent. PES1 and UBF1 also failed to inhibit the differentiation program initiated by the activation of the IGF-IR, which is blocked by IRS-1. 32D IGF-IR cells expressing PES1 or UBF1 differentiate into granulocytes like their parental cells. In contrast, PES1 and UBF1 can transform mouse embryo fibroblasts that have high levels of endogenous IRS-1 and are not prone to differentiation. Our results provide a model for one of the theories of myeloid leukemia, in which both a stimulus of proliferation and a block of differentiation are required for leukemia development.     

Insulin receptor substrate-2-dependent interleukin-4 signaling in macrophages is impaired in two models of type 2 diabetes mellitus

We have shown previously that hyperinsulinemia inhibits interferon-alpha-dependent activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-kinase) through mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)-induced serine phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1. Here we report that chronic insulin and high glucose synergistically inhibit interleukin (IL)-4-dependent activation of PI3-kinase in macrophages via the mTOR pathway. Resident peritoneal macrophages (PerMPhis) from diabetic (db/db) mice showed a 44% reduction in IRS-2-associated PI3-kinase activity stimulated by IL-4 compared with PerMPhis from heterozygote (db/+) control mice. IRS-2 from db/db mouse PerMPhis also showed a 78% increase in Ser/Thr-Pro motif phosphorylation without a difference in IRS-2 mass. To investigate the mechanism of this PI3-kinase inhibition, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate-matured U937 cells were treated chronically with insulin (1 nm, 18 h) and high glucose (4.5 g/liter, 48 h). In these cells, IL-4-stimulated IRS-2-associated PI3-kinase activity was reduced by 37.5%. Importantly, chronic insulin or high glucose alone did not impact IL-4-activated IRS-2-associated PI3-kinase. Chronic insulin + high glucose did reduce IL-4-dependent IRS-2 tyrosine phosphorylation and p85 association by 54 and 37%, respectively, but did not effect IL-4-activated JAK/STAT signaling. When IRS-2 Ser/Thr-Pro motif phosphorylation was examined, chronic insulin + high glucose resulted in a 92% increase in IRS-2 Ser/Thr-Pro motif phosphorylation without a change in IRS-2 mass. Pretreatment of matured U937 cells with rapamycin blocked chronic insulin + high glucose-dependent IRS-2 Ser/Thr-Pro motif phosphorylation and restored IL-4-dependent IRS-2-associated PI3-kinase activity. Taken together these results indicate that IRS-2-dependent IL-4 signaling in macrophages is impaired in models of type 2 diabetes mellitus through a mechanism that relies on insulin/glucose-dependent Ser/Thr-Pro motif serine phosphorylation mediated by the mTOR pathway.     

Reduced glucose uptake precedes insulin signaling defects in adipocytes from heterozygous GLUT4 knockout mice.

Decreased GLUT4 expression, impaired insulin receptor (IR), IRS-1, and pp60/IRS-3 tyrosine phosphorylation are characteristics of adipocytes from insulin-resistant animal models and obese NIDDM humans. However, the sequence of events leading to the development of insulin signaling defects and the significance of decreased GLUT4 expression in causing adipocyte insulin resistance are unknown. The present study used male heterozygous GLUT4 knockout mice (GLUT4(+/-)) as a novel model of diabetes to study the development of insulin signaling defects in adipocytes with the progression of whole body insulin resistance and diabetes. Male GLUT4(+/-) mice with normal fed glycemia and insulinemia (N/N), normal fed glycemia and hyperinsulinemia (N/H), and fed hyperglycemia with hyperinsulinemia (H/H) exist at all ages. The expression of GLUT4 protein and the maximal insulin-stimulated glucose transport was 50% decreased in adipocytes from all three groups. Insulin signaling was normal in N/N adipose cells. From 35 to 70% reductions in insulin-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of IR, IRS-1, and pp60/IRS-3 were noted with no changes in the cellular content of IR, IRS-1, and p85 in N/H adipocytes. Insulin-stimulated protein tyrosine phosphorylation was further decreased to 12-23% in H/H adipose cells accompanied by 42% decreased IR and 80% increased p85 expression. Insulin-stimulated, IRS-1-associated PI3 kinase activity was decreased by 20% in N/H and 68% reduced in H/H GLUT4(+/-) adipocytes. However, total insulin-stimulated PI3 kinase activity was normal in H/H GLUT4(+/-) adipocytes. Taken together, these results strongly suggest that hyperinsulinemia triggers a reduction of IR tyrosine kinase activity that is further exacerbated by the appearance of hyperglycemia. However, the insulin signaling cascade has sufficient plasticity to accommodate significant changes in specific components without further reducing glucose uptake. Furthermore, the data indicate that the cellular content of GLUT4 is the rate-limiting factor in mediating maximal insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in GLUT4(+/-) adipocytes.     

Altered insulin signaling in retinal tissue in diabetic states

Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes can lead to altered retinal microvascular function and diabetic retinopathy. Insulin signaling may also play a role in this process, and mice lacking insulin receptors in endothelial cells are protected from retinal neovascularization. To define the role of diabetes in retinal function, we compared insulin signaling in the retinal vasculature of mouse models of type 1 (streptozotocin) and type 2 diabetes (ob/ob). In streptozotocin mice, in both retina and liver, insulin receptor (IR) and insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-2 protein and tyrosine phosphorylation were increased by insulin, while IRS-1 protein and its phosphorylation were maintained. By contrast, in ob/ob mice, there was marked down-regulation of IR, IRS-1, and IRS-2 protein and phosphorylation in liver; these were maintained or increased in retina. In both mice, Phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate generation by acute insulin stimulation was enhanced in retinal endothelial cells. On the other hand, protein levels and phosphorylation of PDK1 and Akt were decreased in retina of both mice. Interestingly, phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and ERK1 were responsive to insulin in retina of both mice but were unresponsive in liver. HIF-1alpha and vascular endothelial growth factor were increased and endothelial nitric-oxide synthase was decreased in retina. These observations indicate that, in both insulin-resistant and insulin-deficient diabetic states, there are alterations in insulin signaling, such as impaired PDK/Akt responses and enhanced mitogen-activated protein kinases responses that could contribute to the retinopathy. Furthermore, insulin signaling in retinal endothelial cells is differentially altered in diabetes and is also differentially regulated from insulin signaling in classical target tissues such as liver.