Adenosine protects pancreatic beta cells against apoptosis induced by endoplasmic reticulum stress

Chronic exposure to high glucose induces endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in pancreatic beta cells (PBCs). The previous evidence showed that adenosine modulate PBCs viability and insulin secretion. The aim of this study was to evaluate possible involvement of adenosine in protection of MIN6 β-cells from Tunicamycin (Tu)-induced ER stress. MIN6 cells were cotreated with Tu and different concentrations of adenosine. Cell viability, proliferation, and apoptosis were evaluated using 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT), 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (Brdu), and colony formation assays. Caspase-12 activity was assayed using the fluorometric method. Thioflavin T (ThT) staining was used for the evaluation of protein aggregation. Insulin secretion was evaluated using specific an ELISA kit. Ca²⁺ mobilization assayed using Fura2/AM probe. BIP, CHOP, XBP-1, and XBP-1s expression in both messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein levels were evaluated using the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot analysis, respectively. Bcl-2, p-eIF2α/eIF2α, and GADD34 levels also determined with Western blot analysis. Adenosine protected MIN6 cells against Tu-induced ER stress in a dose-dependent manner and increased their proliferation. Decreased caspase-12 activity and upregulated Bcl-2 protein may explain antiapoptotic effects of adenosine. ThT staining indicated an attenuated aggregation of misfolded proteins. Adenosine effectively increased insulin secretion in Tu-treated cells. BIP, CHOP, XBP1, and sXBP1 expression were decreased significantly in cotreated cells, indicating alleviation of ER stress. However, adenosine potentiated the expression of GADD34 and decreased p-eIF2α/eIF2α ratio. Adenosine increased cytosolic Ca ²⁺ levels, which may promote adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthesis in mitochondria, helping ER to preserve protein hemostasis. Taken together, adenosine upregulated Bcl-2 and GADD34 to protect PBCs against Tu-induced apoptosis and increase Insulin secretion.