Differential expression and localization of neuropeptide Y peptide in pancreatic islet of diabetic and high fat fed rats

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) inhibits insulin secretion. Increased numbers of pancreatic islet cells expressing NPY have been observed in type 1 diabetic rats. To understand the functional significance of NPY expression in islet cells, we investigated the effects of high fat feeding and diabetic conditions on the expression and location of NPY expressing cells in normal and diabetic rats. Twenty rats were maintained on either normal chow (ND) or a high fat dietary regimen (HFD) for 4 weeks. In half of each group, type 1 or type 2 diabetes (groups T1DM and T2DM, respectively) was induced by injection of streptozotocin. At 8 weeks rats were euthanized and the pancreases were processed for immunofluorescence labeling (NPY/insulin, NPY/glucagon, NPY/somatostatin, and NPY/pancreatic polypeptide). Compared with the ND group, HFD rats had significantly fewer alpha cells, but beta cells were similar, while T1DM and T2DM rats showed significant increases in the proportions of alpha, delta, and PP cells. Robust increases in NPY-positive islet cells were found in the HFD, T1DM, and T2DM rats compared with ND controls. In ND rats, 99.7% of the NPY-positive cells were PP cells. However, high fat feeding and diabetes resulted in significant increases in NPY-positive delta cells, with concomitant decreases in NPY-positive PP cells. In summary, high-fat feeding and diabetes resulted in changes in the hormonal composition of pancreatic islet and increased number of NPY-expressing islet cells. Under diabetic conditions NPY expression switched from predominantly a characteristic of PP cells to predominantly that of delta cells. This may be a factor in reduced pancreatic hormone secretion during diabetes.     

Recent developments in the discovery of FFA1 receptor agonists as novel oral treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus

Despite the availability of established medication for treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) there still remains a significant unmet need for new effective, oral antidiabetic agents that improve glycemic control while maintaining an excellent safety profile. In this regard the FFA1 receptor has emerged as an attractive target in recent years. Activation of the FFA1 receptor has been shown to not only amplify glucose induced insulin secretion from pancreatic beta cells but also to stimulate incretin secretion from intestinal endocrine cells. The current review highlights on the latest developments and clinical data from evolving research on the potential of FFA1 agonists as effective treatment for T2DM.     

Differentially expressed proteins in the pancreas of diet-induced diabetic mice

The pancreas is a heterogeneous organ mixed with both exocrine and endocrine cells. The pancreas is involved in metabolic activities with the endocrine cells participating in the regulation of blood glucose, while the exocrine portion provides a compatible environment for the pancreatic islets and is responsible for secretion of digestive enzymes. The purpose of this study was to identify pancreatic proteins that are differentially expressed in normal mice and those with diet-induced type 2 diabetes (T2DM). In this study, C57BL/6J male mice fed a high fat diet became obese and developed T2DM. The pancreatic protein profiles were compared between control and diabetic mice using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Differentially expressed protein "spots" were identified by mass spectrometry. REG1 and REG2 proteins, which may be involved in the proliferation of pancreatic beta cells, were up-regulated very early in the progression of obese mice to T2DM. Glutathione peroxidase, which functions in the clearance of reactive oxidative species, was found to be down-regulated in the diabetic mice at later stages. The RNA levels encoding REG2 and glutathione peroxidase were compared by Northern blot analysis and were consistent to the changes in protein levels between diabetic and control mice. The up-regulation of REG1 and REG2 suggests the effort of the pancreas in trying to ameliorate the hyperglycemic condition by stimulating the proliferation of pancreatic beta cells and enhancing the subsequent insulin secretion. The down-regulation of glutathione peroxidase in pancreas could contribute to the progressive deterioration of beta cell function due to the hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress.     

口服AdipoRon对2型糖尿病小鼠脾脏和胰腺功能的影响

目的:观察口服AdipoRon对2型糖尿病小鼠脾脏和胰腺功能的影响,为AdipoRon的临床应用提供基础资料。方法:将40只C57/BL6雄性小鼠随机分为正常对照组(NC,n=10)和造模组(n=30),并分别给予普通饲料和高脂高糖饲料喂养。4周后,造模组小鼠腹腔注射链脲佐菌素(STZ,40 mg/kg)以诱导建立2型糖尿病模型。造模成功后将糖尿病模型小鼠随机分为糖尿病模型组(DM)、高剂量AdipoRon(50 mg/kg)(DM+H)组、低剂量AdipoRon(20 mg/kg)(DM+L)组,每组10只。DM+L组和DM+H组灌胃相应浓度的AdipoRon(使用去离子水溶解AdipoRon),NC组和DM组灌胃等体积去离子水,每日灌胃1次,灌胃10 d。末次干预后禁食12 h,处死小鼠取血液、胰腺和脾脏。HE染色光镜下观察胰腺的病理改变; ELISA法检测小鼠胰腺和脾脏组织中胰岛素受体(INSR)、胰岛素受体底物1(IRS-1)和肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)蛋白质含量;小鼠脾脏系数; Western blot法检测胰腺组织中pIRS-1蛋白质水平;实时荧光定量PCR检测胰腺组织中insulin mRNA表达。结果:光镜下可见正常组小鼠胰腺组织排列紧密、饱满、胰岛体积大,DM组小鼠胰腺组织排列较为疏散、胰岛体积较小,口服AdipoRon组小鼠胰腺组织基本紧密、饱满、胰岛体积略小。与NC比较,DM组小鼠胰腺和脾脏TNF-α水平明显升高,INSR、IRS-1水平均降低,脾脏系数、胰腺p-IRS-1蛋白质水平和insulin mRNA表达均降低,均具有统计学意义(P<0.05);与DM组比较,口服AdipoRon组小鼠胰腺和脾脏TNF-α水平明显下降,INSR和IRS-1水平均升高,脾脏系数升高,DM+H组胰腺p-IRS-1蛋白质水平和insulin mRNA表达均升高(P<0.05);与DM+L组比较,DM+H组小鼠TNF-α水平明显下降,INSR和IRS-1水平均升高(P<0.05)。结论:口服AdipoRon可通过减弱糖尿病小鼠炎症反应,上调INSR表达、提高p-IRS-1水平,从而对糖尿病小鼠脾脏和胰腺组织有一定的保护作用。     

The roles of cell-cell and organ-organ crosstalk in the type 2 diabetes mellitus associated inflammatory microenvironment

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a classic metaflammatory disease, and the inflammatory states of the pancreatic islet and insulin target organs have been well confirmed. However, abundant evidence demonstrates that there are countless connections between these organs in the presence of a low degree of inflammation. In this review, we focus on cell-cell crosstalk among local cells in the islet and organ-organ crosstalk among insulin-related organs. In contrast to that in acute inflammation, macrophages are the dominant immune cells causing inflammation in the islets and insulin target organs in T2DM. In the inflammatory microenvironment (IME) of the islet, cell-cell crosstalk involving local macrophage polarization and proinflammatory cytokine production impair insulin secretion by β-cells. Furthermore, organ-organ crosstalk, including the gut-brain-pancreas axis and interactions among insulin-related organs during inflammation, reduces insulin sensitivity and induces endocrine dysfunction. Therefore, this crosstalk ultimately results in a cascade leading to β-cell dysfunction. These findings could have broad implications for therapies aimed at treating T2DM.     

Type 1 diabetes cadaveric human pancreata exhibit a unique exocrine tissue proteomic profile

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disorder resulting from a self‐destruction of pancreatic islet beta cells. The complete proteome of the human pancreas, where both the dysfunctional beta cells and their proximal environment co‐exist, remains unknown. Here, we used TMT10‐based isobaric labeling and multidimensional LC‐MS/MS to quantitatively profile the differences between pancreatic head region tissues from T1D (N = 5) and healthy subjects (N = 5). Among the 5357 (1% false discovery rate) confidently identified proteins, 145 showed statistically significant dysregulation between T1D and healthy subjects. The differentially expressed pancreatic proteome supports the growing notion of a potential role for exocrine pancreas involvement in T1D. This study also demonstrates the utility for this approach to analyze dysregulated proteins as a means to investigate islet biology, pancreatic pathology and T1D pathogenesis.     

黑苦荞茎叶对2型糖尿病小鼠的治疗作用及其对其胰腺、脾脏的影响

目的:观察黑苦荞茎叶(BBL)对2型糖尿病小鼠治疗作用及其对胰腺、脾脏的影响。方法:将40只SPF级雄性C57/B16小鼠随机分为正常对照组(n=10)和实验组(n=30),实验组给予高糖高脂饲料喂养1个月后,每只小鼠在禁食12h后腹腔注射链脲佐菌素35mg/kg,注射后72h取尾血测血糖≥13.8mmol/L为糖尿病小鼠。成功建立2型糖尿病(T2DM)模型的30只小鼠随机分为3组(n=10):模型对照组(DM组)、低剂量黑苦荞茎叶治疗组(DM+L)组、高剂量黑苦荞茎叶治疗(DM+H)组。对照组和模型组小鼠每日给予生理盐水灌胃,两个黑苦荞茎叶组分别给予0.21g/kg·d-1和0.42g/kg·d-1的黑苦荞茎叶灌胃,14d后杀死小鼠,取血和胰腺、脾脏,检测血清中葡萄糖(FBG)、甘油三酯(TG)、总胆固醇(TCH)、胰岛素和脾脏组织中TNF-α蛋白的含量,观察胰腺组织形态学,称量小鼠体重和脾脏重量、计算脾脏系数,检测胰腺组织中IRS-1mRNA的表达和胰腺组织内胰岛素受体底物IRS-1蛋白表达。结果:与对照组相比,模型组小鼠血清FBG、TC、TCH水平明显升高,使血胰岛素水平明显下降,脾脏组织TNF-α蛋白表达水平显著升高,胰腺组织中IRS-1mRNA表达和IRS-1的蛋白表达水平显著降低(P<0.05);与模型组相比,治疗组小鼠的血清FBG、TC、TCH水平明显降低,血胰岛素水平显著升高,小鼠脾脏系数、脾脏组织TNF-α蛋白表达水平、胰腺组织IRS-1mRNA表达和IRS-1的蛋白表达水平显著升高(P<0.05)。高剂量黑苦荞茎叶(0.42g/kg·d-1)治疗作用更加明显。结论:黑苦荞茎叶对2型糖尿病小鼠具有显著的降血糖、降血脂的治疗效果,对糖尿病小鼠胰腺、脾脏具有一定的保护作用。     

Identification of microRNAs expressed highly in pancreatic islet‐like cell clusters differentiated from human embryonic stem cells

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune destruction of pancreatic islet beta cell disease, making it important to find a new alternative source of the islet beta cells to replace the damaged cells. hES (human embryonic stem) cells possess unlimited self‐renewal and pluripotency and thus have the potential to provide an unlimited supply of different cell types for tissue replacement. The hES‐T3 cells with normal female karyotype were first differentiated into EBs (embryoid bodies) and then induced to generate the T3pi (pancreatic islet‐like cell clusters derived from T3 cells), which expressed pancreatic islet cell‐specific markers of insulin, glucagon and somatostatin. The expression profiles of microRNAs and mRNAs from the T3pi were analysed and compared with those of undifferentiated hES‐T3 cells and differentiated EBs. MicroRNAs negatively regulate the expression of protein‐coding mRNAs. The T3pi showed very high expression of microRNAs, miR‐186, miR‐199a and miR‐339, which down‐regulated the expression of LIN28, PRDM1, CALB1, GCNT2, RBM47, PLEKHH1, RBPMS2 and PAK6. Therefore, these microRNAs and their target genes are very likely to play important regulatory roles in the development of pancreas and/or differentiation of islet cells, and they may be manipulated to increase the proportion of beta cells and insulin synthesis in the differentiated T3pi for cell therapy of type I diabetics.     

Regulation of insulin sensitivity,insulin production,and pancreatic β cell survival by angiotensin-(1-7) in a rat model of streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus

The aim of this study is to determine the antidiabetic activity of Ang-(1-7), an important component of the renin–angiotensin system, in a rat model of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). A total of 36 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: control group fed standard laboratory diet, DM group fed high-fat diet and injected with STZ, and Ang-(1-7) group receiving injection of STZ followed by Ang-(1-7) treatment. Body weight, blood glucose levels, fasting serum Ang II and insulin levels, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were measured. The pancreas was collected for histological examination and gene expression analysis. Notably, the Ang-(1-7) group showed a significant decrease in fasting blood glucose and serum Ang II levels and HOMA-IR values and increase in fasting serum insulin levels. Pancreatic β cells in the control and Ang-(1-7) groups were normally distributed in the center of pancreatic islets with large clear nuclei. In contrast, pancreatic β cells in the DM group had a marked shrinkage of the cytoplasm and condensation of nuclear chromatin. Ang-(1-7) treatment significantly facilitated insulin production by β cells in diabetic rats. The DM-associated elevation of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), caspase-3, caspase-9, caspase-8, and Bax and reduction of Bcl-2 was significantly reversed by Ang-(1-7) treatment. Taken together, Ang-(1-7) protects against STZ-induced DM through improvement of insulin resistance, insulin secretion, and pancreatic β cell survival, which is associated with reduction of iNOS expression and alteration of the Bcl-2 family.     

Persistent expression of HNF6 in islet endocrine cells causes disrupted islet architecture and loss of beta cell function

We used transgenesis to explore the requirement for downregulation of hepatocyte nuclear factor 6 (HNF6) expression in the assembly, differentiation, and function of pancreatic islets. In vivo, HNF6 expression becomes downregulated in pancreatic endocrine cells at 18. 5 days post coitum (d.p.c.), when definitive islets first begin to organize. We used an islet-specific regulatory element (pdx1(PB)) from pancreatic/duodenal homeobox (pdx1) gene to maintain HNF6 expression in endocrine cells beyond 18.5 d.p.c. Transgenic animals were diabetic. HNF6-overexpressing islets were hyperplastic and remained very close to the pancreatic ducts. Strikingly, alpha, delta, and PP cells were increased in number and abnormally intermingled with islet beta cells. Although several mature beta cell markers were expressed in beta cells of transgenic islets, the glucose transporter GLUT2 was absent or severely reduced. As glucose uptake/metabolism is essential for insulin secretion, decreased GLUT2 may contribute to the etiology of diabetes in pdx1(PB)-HNF6 transgenics. Concordantly, blood insulin was not raised by glucose challenge, suggesting profound beta cell dysfunction. Thus, we have shown that HNF6 downregulation during islet ontogeny is critical to normal pancreas formation and function: continued expression impairs the clustering of endocrine cells and their separation from the ductal epithelium, disrupts the spatial organization of endocrine cell types within the islet, and severely compromises beta cell physiology, leading to overt diabetes.     

Autoimmune Diabetes Is Suppressed by Treatment with Recombinant Human Tissue Kallikrein-1

The kallikrein-kinin system (KKS) comprises a cascade of proteolytic enzymes and biogenic peptides that regulate several physiological processes. Over-expression of tissue kallikrein-1 and modulation of the KKS shows beneficial effects on insulin sensitivity and other parameters relevant to type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, much less is known about the role of kallikreins, in particular tissue kallikrein-1, in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D). We report that chronic administration of recombinant human tissue kallikrein-1 protein (DM199) to non-obese diabetic mice delayed the onset of T1D, attenuated the degree of insulitis, and improved pancreatic beta cell mass in a dose- and treatment frequency-dependent manner. Suppression of the autoimmune reaction against pancreatic beta cells was evidenced by a reduction in the relative numbers of infiltrating cytotoxic lymphocytes and an increase in the relative numbers of regulatory T cells in the pancreas and pancreatic lymph nodes. These effects may be due in part to a DM199 treatment-dependent increase in active TGF-beta1. Treatment with DM199 also resulted in elevated C-peptide levels, elevated glucagon like peptide-1 levels and a reduction in dipeptidyl peptidase-4 activity. Overall, the data suggest that DM199 may have a beneficial effect on T1D by attenuating the autoimmune reaction and improving beta cell health.     

Metformin inhibits MAPK signaling and rescues pancreatic aquaporin 7 expression to induce insulin secretion in type 2 diabetes mellitus

Metformin is the first-line antidiabetic agent for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) treatment. Although accumulated evidence has shed light on the consequences of metformin action, the precise mechanisms of its action, especially in the pancreas, are not fully understood. Aquaporin 7 (AQP7) acts as a critical regulator of intraislet glycerol content, which is necessary for insulin production and secretion. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different doses of metformin on AQP7 expression and explore the possible mechanism of its protective effects in the pancreatic islets. We used an in vivo model of high-fat diet in streptozocin-induced diabetic rats and an in vitro model of rat pancreatic β-cells (INS-1 cells) damaged by hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia. Our data showed that AQP7 expression levels were decreased, whereas p38 and JNK mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) were activated in vivo and in vitro in response to hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia. T2DM rats treated with metformin demonstrated a reduction in blood glucose levels and increased regeneration of pancreatic β-cells. In addition, metformin upregulated AQP7 expression as well as inhibited activation of p38 and JNK MAPKs both in vivo and in vitro. Overexpression of AQP7 increased glycerol influx into INS-1 cells, whereas inhibition of AQP7 reduced glycerol influx, thereby decreasing subsequent insulin secretion. Our findings demonstrate a new mechanism by which metformin suppresses the p38 and JNK pathways, thereby upregulating pancreatic AQP7 expression and promoting glycerol influx into pancreatic β-cells and subsequent insulin secretion in T2DM.     

胰高血糖素样多肽-1拮抗2型糖尿病胰岛细胞凋亡损伤

胰高血糖素样多肽-1（glucogen like peptide 1, GLP-1）在胰岛素分泌过程中扮演重要角色,并在改善β细胞功能方面有着令人瞩目的效应,但有关其作用机制尚需更深入研究。本研究探讨GLP-1对2型糖尿病（type 2 diabetes mellitus, T2DM）大鼠模型胰岛细胞损伤的影响,观察GLP-1在T2DM大鼠胰岛细胞凋亡损伤机制中所发挥的作用。HE染色结果发现,糖尿病大鼠胰岛损伤。ELISA结果表明,糖尿病患者和糖尿病大鼠血清中GLP-1表达水平上调。放射免疫结果表明,GLP-1和谷氧还蛋白1（Grx1）促进HIT-T 15细胞分泌胰岛素,Cd抑制胰岛素的分泌。免疫组化结果表明,糖尿病大鼠GLP-1加药处理后,各组与糖尿病组相比,药物提高了Grx1和胰岛素表达水平,降低了胰高血糖素表达水平,同时降低了活性胱天蛋白酶3（caspase-3）的表达。本研究结果提示,GLP-1在肥胖T2DM大鼠胰岛细胞凋亡中起保护作用,同时可调节胰岛素和胰高血糖素水平,其机制可能与Grx1相关     

AQR is a novel type 2 diabetes-associated gene that regulates signaling pathways critical for glucose metabolism

Type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2 DM) is a common metabolic disease influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. In this study, we performed an in-house genotyping and meta-analysis study using three independent GWAS datasets of T2 DM and found that rs3743121, located 1 kb downstream of AQR,was a novel susceptibility SNP associated with T2 DM. The risk allele C of rs3743121 was correlated with the increased expression of AQR in white blood cells, similar to that observed in T2 DM models. The knockdown of AQR in HepG2 facilitated the glucose uptake, decreased the expression level of PCK2,increased the phosphorylation of GSK-3β, and restored the insulin sensitivity. Furthermore, the suppression of AQR inhibited the mTOR pathway and the protein ubiquitination process. Our study suggests that AQR is a novel type 2 diabetes-associated gene that regulates signaling pathways critical for glucose metabolism.     

The effect of diet on the Vervet monkey endocrine pancreas

Vervet monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops) used for pancreatic endocrine cell distribution studies were found to have been maintained on different diets. Although the effect of dietary changes on the exocrine pancreas has been described in several animals, little, apart from the effect of malnutrition, has been reported for the endocrine pancreas. Reported here are pancreatic endocrine cell distributions in monkeys on a standard diet (n ? 3) compared with monkeys on an atherogenic diet (n = 3). Quantitation of immunolabelled pancreatic endocrine cell types revealed a significant 80% increase in A (glucagon) cell volume in monkeys on an atherogenic diet concomitant with a significant reduction in B (insulin) cell volume to approximately 60% of normal. This reflects a pattern of events that occurs in non-insulin dependent diabetes. An accompanying reduction in PP (pancreatic polypeptide) cell volumes supports our hypothesis that altering A and PP cell volumes could reflect differential gene expression in those cells in the adult in which glucagon and PP are co-localized.