Decrease In Insulin Receptors Research Articles

Obesity-related hypoxia via miR-128 decreases insulin-receptor expression in human and mouse adipose tissue promoting systemic insulin resistance.

BackgroundInsulin resistance in visceral adipose tissue (VAT), skeletal muscle and liver is a prominent feature of most patients with obesity. How this association arises remains poorly understood. The objective of this study was to demonstrate that the decrease in insulin receptor (INSR) expression and insulin signaling in VAT from obese individuals is an early molecular manifestation that might play a crucial role in the cascade of events leading to systemic insulin resistance.MethodsTo clarify the role of INSR and insulin signaling in adipose tissue dysfunction in obesity, we first measured INSR expression in VAT samples from normal-weight subjects and patients with different degrees of obesity. We complemented these studies with experiments on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice, and in human and murine adipocyte cultures, in both normoxic and hypoxic conditions.FindingsAn inverse correlation was observed between increasing body mass index and decreasing INSR expression in VAT of obese humans. Our results indicate that VAT-specific downregulation of INSR is an early event in obesity-related adipose cell dysfunction, which increases systemic insulin resistance in both obese humans and mice. We also provide evidence that obesity-related hypoxia in VAT plays a determinant role in this scenario by decreasing INSR mRNA stability. This decreased stability is through the activation of a miRNA (miR-128) that downregulates INSR expression in adipocytes.InterpretationWe present a novel pathogenic mechanism of reduced INSR expression and insulin signaling in adipocytes. Our data provide a new explanation linking obesity with systemic insulin resistance.FundingThis work was partly supported by a grant from Nutramed (PON 03PE000_78_1) and by the European Commission (FESR FSE 2014-2020 and Regione Calabria).

Inulin Supplementation Lowered the Metabolic Defects of Prolonged Exposure to Chlorpyrifos from Gestation to Young Adult Stage in Offspring Rats.

Increasing evidence indicates that chlorpyrifos (CPF), an organophosphorus insecticide, is involved in metabolic disorders. We assess the hypothesis whether supplementation with prebiotics from gestation to adulthood, through a modulation of microbiota composition and fermentative activity, alleviates CPF induced metabolic disorders of 60 days old offspring. 5 groups of Wistar rats, from gestation until weaning, received two doses of CPF pesticide: 1 mg/kg/day (CPF1) or 3.5 mg/kg/day (CPF3.5) with free access to inulin (10g/L in drinking water). Then male pups received the same treatment as dams. Metabolic profile, leptin sensitivity, insulin receptor (IR) expression in liver, gut microbiota composition and short chain fatty acid composition (SCFAs) in the colon, were analyzed at postnatal day 60 in the offspring (PND 60). CPF3.5 increased offspring’s birth body weight (BW) but decreased BW at PND60. Inulin supplementation restored the BW at PND 60 to control levels. Hyperinsulinemia and decrease in insulin receptor β in liver were seen in CPF1 exposed rats. In contrast, hyperglycemia and decrease in insulin level were found in CPF3.5 rats. Inulin restored the levels of some metabolic parameters in CPF groups to ranges comparable with the controls. The total bacterial population, short chain fatty acid (SCFA) production and butyrate levels were enhanced in CPF groups receiving inulin. Our data indicate that developmental exposure to CPF interferes with metabolism with dose related effects evident at adulthood. By modulating microbiota population and fermentative activity, inulin corrected adult metabolic disorders of rats exposed to CPF during development. Prebiotics supply may be thus considered as a novel nutritional strategy to counteract insulin resistance and diabetes induced by a continuous pesticide exposure.

Role of orexin-A-mediated communication system between brain and peripheral tissues on the development of post-ischemic glucose intolerance-induced neuronal damage

I recently found that cerebral ischemic stress per se causes hyperglycemia (i.e., post-ischemic glucose intolerance) and suppression of post-ischemic glucose intolerance might be important to improve prognosis. Here, I analyzed the efficacy of suppression of post-ischemic glucose intolerance using orexin-A (OXA) endogenous neuropeptide as a novel therapeutic strategy against cerebral ischemic neuronal damage. OXA in hypothalamus plays a role in many physiological functions including regulation of glucose metabolism. I previously found that the development of post-ischemic glucose intolerance is suppressed by OXA. Other reports have shown that the communication system between brain and peripheral tissues through the autonomic nervous system is important for maintaining glucose and energy metabolism. The aim of this study was to determine the involvement of the hepatic vagus nerve on hypothalamic OXA-mediated suppression of post-ischemic glucose intolerance and neuronal damage. Intrahypothalamic administration of OXA significantly suppressed the development of post-ischemic glucose intolerance on day 1 and of neuronal damage on day 3 after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). In the liver, MCAO-induced decrease in insulin receptors and increase in gluconeogenic enzymes on day 1 was recovered to control levels by OXA; these effects were reversed by hepatic vagotomy. In the medulla oblongata, OXA induced co-localization of the cholinergic neuronal marker choline acetyltransferase with orexin-1 receptor and c-Fos. These results suggest that the vagus nerve projecting from the medulla oblongata plays an important role in the recovery of post-ischemic glucose intolerance and mediates neuroprotection by hypothalamic OXA.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor inhibits glucose intolerance after cerebral ischemia.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor is associated with the insulin signaling pathway and glucose tabolism. We hypothesized that expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and its receptor may be involved in glucose intolerance following ischemic stress. To verify this hypothesis, this study aimed to observe the changes in brain-derived neurotrophic factor and tyrosine kinase B receptor expression in glucose metabolism-associated regions following cerebral ischemic stress in mice. At day 1 after middle cerebral artery occlusion, the expression levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor were significantly decreased in the ischemic cortex, hypothalamus, liver, skeletal muscle, and pancreas. The expression levels of tyrosine kinase B receptor were decreased in the hypothalamus and liver, and increased in the skeletal muscle and pancreas, but remained unchanged in the cortex. Intrahypothalamic administration of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (40 ng) suppressed the decrease in insulin receptor and tyrosine-phosphorylated insulin receptor expression in the liver and skeletal muscle, and inhibited the overexpression of gluconeogenesis-associated phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and glucose-6-phosphatase in the liver of cerebral ischemic mice. However, serum insulin levels remained unchanged. Our experimental findings indicate that brain-derived neurotrophic factor can promote glucose metabolism, reduce gluconeogenesis, and decrease blood glucose levels after cerebral ischemic stress. The low expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor following cerebral ischemia may be involved in the development of glucose intolerance.

AnIn VitroModel to Probe the Regulation of Adipocyte Differentiation under Hyperglycemia

BackgroundThe aim of this study was an in vitro investigation of the effect of high glucose concentration on adipogenesis, as prolonged hyperglycemia alters adipocyte differentiation.Methods3T3-L1 preadipocytes differentiated in the presence of varying concentrations of glucose (25, 45, 65, 85, and 105 mM) were assessed for adipogenesis using AdipoRed (Lonza) assay. Cell viability and proliferation were measured using MTT reduction and [3H] thymidine incorporation assay. The extent of glucose uptake and glycogen synthesis were measured using radiolabelled 2-deoxy-D-[1-3H] glucose and [14C]-UDP-glucose. The gene level expression was evaluated using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and protein expression was studied using Western blot analysis.ResultsGlucose at 105 mM concentration was observed to inhibit adipogenesis through inhibition of CCAAT-enhancer-binding proteins, sterol regulatory element-binding protein, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor and adiponectin. High concentration of glucose induced stress by increasing levels of toll-like receptor 4, nuclear factor κB and tumor necrosis factor α thereby generating activated preadipocytes. These cells entered the state of hyperplasia through inhibition of p27 and proliferation was found to increase through activation of protein kinase B via phosphoinositide 3 kinase dependent pathway. This condition inhibited insulin signaling through decrease in insulin receptor β. Although the glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) protein remained unaltered with the glycogen synthesis inhibited, the cells were found to exhibit an increase in glucose uptake via GLUT1.ConclusionAdipogenesis in the presence of 105 mM glucose leads to an uncontrolled proliferation of activated preadipocytes providing an insight towards understanding obesity.

Prolonged fasting suppresses cellular insulin‐dependent activity in adipose tissue of the northern elephant seal

Throughout its life, the northern elephant seal (Mirounga angustirostris) experiences periods of prolonged fasting during which plasma glucose reaches hyperglycemic levels. As the fast progresses, the levels of circulating glucose decrease, despite relatively low or decreasing plasma insulin levels. Cellular glucose uptake is dependent on an insulin‐activated signaling cascade resulting in the translocation of the glucose transport protein, Glut4, into the plasma membrane. In order to understand how this pathway is affected by prolonged fasting PI3K, AKT and VAMP2 content, and plasma insulin were examined. Blubber biopsies as well as plasma samples were obtained from two groups of northern elephant seal pups (n = 10/group) sampled during their post weaning fast: early (2 weeks) and late (6 to 8 weeks). Tissue content of PI3K, AKT, and VAMP2 proteins was quantified by western blot. Plasma insulin did not change (1.5 ± 0.4 vs. 1.2 ± 0.2 uU/mL) between early and late fasting. While PI3K and VAMP2 also did not change, AKT decreased 29% with the fast. We have previously shown that fasting is associated with a decrease in insulin receptor (IR), but an increase in Glut 4. Because insulin stimulates PI3K and AKT, the decreases in insulin and IR may explain the lack of change in PI3K and the decrease in AKT suggesting that fasting suppresses cellular insulin‐dependent activity. Funded by NIH HL91767 and UC Startup funds.

Age-related changes in insulin receptor mRNA and protein expression in genetically obese Zucker rats

Aim The mechanisms underlying the age-related decrease in insulin-receptor (IR) binding in genetically obese Zucker rats are not well understood. For this reason, the present study analyzed the expression of IR mRNA and protein in selected tissues from 1- to 4-month-old obese (fa/fa) Zucker rats and lean (Fa/–) age-matched controls. Methods The following parameters were evaluated: (1) IR mRNA level, and proportion of isotypes A (exon 11–) and B (exon 11+) of IR mRNA in liver, brain and kidney; (2) level, molecular size and tyrosine phosphorylation of IR-β subunit in liver subcellular fractions; and (3) stability of liver IR based on sensitivity in vivo of insulin-binding activity and IR-β levels in response to tunicamycin, a glycosylation inhibitor. Results At one month, IR mRNA level was increased in liver and brain, but decreased in kidneys and, at four months, both mRNA level and isotype B proportion were decreased in liver. From age two months, the following changes in liver IR protein expression were observed: (1) decreased IR-β level in whole homogenates, but increased IR-β levels in endosomal fractions; (2) increased IR-β tyrosine phosphorylation; and (3) at four months, increased levels of both intact IR-β (95 kDa) and IR-β fragments (72 and 52 kDa) in lysosomal fractions, along with decreased stability in vivo of the IR. Conclusion These data show that obese Zucker rats display age-related alterations of IR gene expression at both pre- and post-translational stages and, in particular, increased endocytosis and degradation of IR protein.

Effect of tetrahydrocurcumin on insulin receptor status in type 2 diabetic rats: studies on insulin binding to erythrocytes

Curcumin is the most active component of turmeric. It is believed that curcumin is a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. Tetrahydrocurcumin (THC) is one of the major metabolites of curcumin, and exhibits many of the same physiological and pharmacological activities as curcumin and, in some systems, may exert greater antioxidant activity than curcumin. Using circulating erythrocytes as the cellular mode, the insulin-binding effect of THC and curcumin was investigated. Streptozotocin (STZ)-nicotinamide-induced male Wistar rats were used as the experimental models. THC (80 mg/kg body weight) was administered orally for 45 days. The effect of THC on blood glucose, plasma insulin and insulin binding to its receptor on the cell membrane of erythrocytes were studied. Mean specific binding of insulin was significantly lowered in diabetic rats with a decrease in plasma insulin. This was due to a significant decrease in mean insulin receptors. Erythrocytes from diabetic rats showed a decreased ability for insulin-receptor binding when compared with THC-treated diabetic rats. Scatchard analysis demonstrated that the decrease in insulin binding was accounted for by a decrease in insulin receptor sites per cell, with erythrocytes of diabetic rats having less insulin receptor sites per cell than THC-treated rats. High affinity (K d1), low affinity (K d2) and kinetic analyses revealed an increase in the average receptor affinity of erythrocytes from THC-treated rats compared with those of diabetic rats. These results suggest that acute alteration of the insulin receptor on the membranes of erythrocytes occurred in diabetic rats. Treatment with THC significantly improved specific insulin binding to the receptors, with receptor numbers and affinity binding reaching near-normal levels. Our study suggests the mechanism by which THC increases the number of total cellular insulin binding sites resulting in a significant increase in plasma insulin. The effect of THC is more prominent than that of curcumin.

Insulin receptor deficits in schizophrenia and in cellular and animal models of insulin receptor dysfunction

Schizophrenia is associated with abnormalities in glucose metabolism that may lead to insulin resistance and a 3 fold higher incidence of type II diabetes mellitus. The goal of the present studies was to assess the role of insulin-dependent Akt signaling in schizophrenia and in animal and cellular models of insulin resistance. Our studies revealed a functional decrease in insulin receptor (IR)-mediated signal transduction in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (BA46) of medicated schizophrenics relative to control patients using post-mortem brain material. We found ∼ 50% decreases in the content and autophosphorylation levels of IRβ and ∼ 76–78% decreases in Akt content and activity (pSer 473-Akt). The inhibition of IRβ signaling was accompanied by an elevated content of glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3α and GSK-3β without significant changes in phospho-Ser 21/9 GSK-3α/β levels. A cellular model of insulin resistance was induced by IRβ knockdown (siRNA). As in schizophrenia, the IRβ knockdown cells demonstrated a reduction in the Akt content and activity. Total GSK-3α/β content remained unaltered, but phospho-Ser 21/9 GSK-3α/β levels were reduced indicating a net increase in the overall enzyme activity similar to that in schizophrenia. Insulin resistance phenotype was induced in mice by treatment with antipsychotic drug, clozapine. Behavioral testing showed decreases in startle response magnitude in animals treated with clozapine for 68 days. The treatment resulted in a functional inhibition of IRβ but the Akt activation status remained unaltered. Changes in GSK-3α/β were consistent with a net decrease in the enzyme activity, as opposed to that in schizophrenia. The results suggest that alterations in insulin-dependent Akt signaling in schizophrenia are similar to those observed in our cellular but not animal models of insulin resistance. In animal model, clozapine ameliorates IRβ deficits at the GSK-3α/β level, which may justify its role in treatment of schizophrenia. Our studies suggest that aberrant IR function may be important in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia.

Diet-induced insulin resistance promotes amyloidosis in a transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease.

Recent epidemiological evidence indicates that insulin resistance, a proximal cause of Type II diabetes [a non-insulin dependent form of diabetes mellitus (NIDDM)], is associated with an increased relative risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this study we examined the role of dietary conditions leading to NIDDM-like insulin resistance on amyloidosis in Tg2576 mice, which model AD-like neuropathology. We found that diet-induced insulin resistance promoted amyloidogenic beta-amyloid (Abeta) Abeta1-40 and Abeta1-42 peptide generation in the brain that corresponded with increased gamma-secretase activities and decreased insulin degrading enzyme (IDE) activities. Moreover, increased Abeta production also coincided with increased AD-type amyloid plaque burden in the brain and impaired performance in a spatial water maze task. Further exploration of the apparent interrelationship of insulin resistance to brain amyloidosis revealed a functional decrease in insulin receptor (IR)-mediated signal transduction in the brain, as suggested by decreased IR beta-subunit (IRbeta) Y1162/1163 autophosphorylation and reduced phosphatidylinositol 3 (PI3)-kinase/pS473-AKT/Protein kinase (PK)-B in these same brain regions. This latter finding is of particular interest given the known inhibitory role of AKT/PKB on glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3alpha activity, which has previously been shown to promote Abeta peptide generation. Most interestingly, we found that decreased pS21-GSK-3alpha and pS9-GSK-3beta phosphorylation, which is an index of GSK activation, positively correlated with the generation of brain C-terminal fragment (CTF)-gamma cleavage product of amyloid precursor protein, an index of gamma-secretase activity, in the brain of insulin-resistant relative to normoglycemic Tg2576 mice. Our study is consistent with the hypothesis that insulin resistance may be an underlying mechanism responsible for the observed increased relative risk for AD neuropathology, and presents the first evidence to suggest that IR signaling can influence Abeta production in the brain.

Expression of a Dominant Interfering Dynamin Mutant in 3T3L1 Adipocytes Inhibits GLUT4 Endocytosis without Affecting Insulin Signaling

To examine the role of clathrin-coated vesicle endocytosis in insulin receptor signaling and GLUT4 trafficking, we used recombinant adenovirus to express a dominant interfering mutant of dynamin (K44A/dynamin) in 3T3L1 adipocytes. Functional expression of K44A/dynamin, as measured by inhibition of transferrin receptor internalization, did not affect insulin-stimulated insulin receptor autophosphorylation, Shc tyrosine phosphorylation, or mitogen-activated protein kinase activation. Although the tyrosine phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate-1 was slightly reduced, correlating with a 25% decrease in insulin receptor substrate-1-associated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activity, insulin-stimulated Akt kinase activation was unaffected. In contrast, expression of K44A/dynamin resulted in the cell-surface accumulation of GLUT4 under basal conditions and an inhibition of GLUT4 endocytosis without affecting insulin-stimulated GLUT4 exocytosis. These data demonstrate that disruption of clathrin-mediated endocytosis does not significantly perturb insulin receptor signal transduction pathways. Furthermore, K44A/dynamin expression causes an accumulation of GLUT4 at the cell surface, suggesting that GLUT4 vesicles exist in at least two distinct intracellular compartments, one that undergoes continuous recycling and a second that is responsive to insulin.

Insulin and dexamethasone regulate insulin receptors, insulin receptor substrate-1, and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase in Fao hepatoma cells.

Insulin rapidly stimulates tyrosine kinase activity of its receptor, resulting in phosphorylation of the cytosolic substrate, insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1), which, in turn, associates with phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase), thus activating the enzyme. In the present study we have examined these three early postreceptor components of the insulin action pathway in rat hepatoma (Fao) cells and have determined the effects of two hormones that can induce insulin resistance, dexamethasone and insulin. Dexamethasone (1 microM) induced a time- and dose-dependent increase in insulin receptor levels in Fao cells, reaching 135 +/- 3% of basal levels after 24 h (P < 0.05). There was a simultaneous increase in IRS-1 protein to 255 +/- 66% of the control value (P < 0.05) and a parallel increase in IRS-1 phosphorylation. Insulin stimulation of IRS-1-associated PI 3-kinase was also increased by 70% in cells treated with dexamethasone despite only a minimal increase in PI 3-kinase protein, as determined by immunoblotting. Prolonged insulin treatment induced a time- and dose-dependent decrease in insulin receptor and IRS-1 protein levels, reaching nadirs of 40 +/- 4% (P < 0.01) and 15 +/- 6% (P < 0.005) of control levels, respectively, after 24 h with 100 nM insulin. There was also a decrease in the phosphorylation of insulin receptors and IRS-1, a marked decrease in the association between IRS-1 and PI 3-kinase, and an 82% decrease in insulin-stimulated PI 3-kinase activity without a significant change in PI 3-kinase protein levels. When cells were exposed to both insulin and dexamethasone, the effect of insulin to reduce insulin receptor and IRS-1 levels and insulin-stimulated IRS-1 phosphorylation dominated. These data suggest that regulation of the insulin receptor, IRS-1, and PI 3-kinase contributes significantly to the insulin resistance induced by chronic hyperinsulinemia, but that glucocorticoid-induced insulin resistance is located beyond these early steps in insulin action.

Insulin and dexamethasone regulate insulin receptors, insulin receptor substrate-1, and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase in Fao hepatoma cells

Insulin rapidly stimulates tyrosine kinase activity of its receptor, resulting in phosphorylation of the cytosolic substrate, insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1), which, in turn, associates with phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase), thus activating the enzyme. In the present study we have examined these three early postreceptor components of the insulin action pathway in rat hepatoma (Fao) cells and have determined the effects of two hormones that can induce insulin resistance, dexamethasone and insulin. Dexamethasone (1 microM) induced a time- and dose-dependent increase in insulin receptor levels in Fao cells, reaching 135 +/- 3% of basal levels after 24 h (P < 0.05). There was a simultaneous increase in IRS-1 protein to 255 +/- 66% of the control value (P < 0.05) and a parallel increase in IRS-1 phosphorylation. Insulin stimulation of IRS-1-associated PI 3-kinase was also increased by 70% in cells treated with dexamethasone despite only a minimal increase in PI 3-kinase protein, as determined by immunoblotting. Prolonged insulin treatment induced a time- and dose-dependent decrease in insulin receptor and IRS-1 protein levels, reaching nadirs of 40 +/- 4% (P < 0.01) and 15 +/- 6% (P < 0.005) of control levels, respectively, after 24 h with 100 nM insulin. There was also a decrease in the phosphorylation of insulin receptors and IRS-1, a marked decrease in the association between IRS-1 and PI 3-kinase, and an 82% decrease in insulin-stimulated PI 3-kinase activity without a significant change in PI 3-kinase protein levels. When cells were exposed to both insulin and dexamethasone, the effect of insulin to reduce insulin receptor and IRS-1 levels and insulin-stimulated IRS-1 phosphorylation dominated. These data suggest that regulation of the insulin receptor, IRS-1, and PI 3-kinase contributes significantly to the insulin resistance induced by chronic hyperinsulinemia, but that glucocorticoid-induced insulin resistance is located beyond these early steps in insulin action.

Reduced insulin receptor expression and function in human colonic Caco-2 cells by ras and polyoma middle T oncogenes

Taking advantage of the potent mitogenic effect exerted by insulin in human colonic cells, we used Caco-2 cells transfected with an activated (Val-12) human Haras gene or the polyoma middle T (PyMT) oncogene, a constitutive activator of pp60c-src tyrosine kinase activity, to investigate the effect of oncogenic p21ras and PyMT/pp60c-src on insulin mitogenic signaling. As compared to vector control Caco-2 cells, both oncogene-transfected cells exhibited: 1) a loss of response to insulin's stimulatory effect on mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase activity and cell proliferation, both of which were constitutively increased; 2) a decrease in insulin receptor (IR) affinity and insulin-stimulated exogenous tyrosine kinase activity, which resulted from increased protein kinase C (PKC) activity (Delage, S., Chastre, E., Empereur, S., Wicek, D., Veissiére, D., Capeau, J., Gespach, C., and Cherqui, G. (1993) Cancer Res. 53, 2762-2770), since IR alterations were corrected by PKC down-regulation; and 3) a decrease in both IR mRNA level and IR number, which was independent of PKC since it persisted after PKC down-regulation. In conclusion, this is the first evidence that oncogenic p21ras and PyMT/pp60c-src abolish insulin mitogenic signaling in human colonic cells through mechanisms involving (i) constitutive activation of MAP kinase and (ii) marked decreases in both IR function and expression which are mediated by PKC-dependent and PKC-independent pathways, respectively.

Regulation of insulin receptor, insulin receptor substrate-1 and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase in 3T3-F442A adipocytes. Effects of differentiation, insulin, and dexamethasone.

Insulin rapidly stimulates tyrosine kinase activity of its receptor resulting in phosphorylation of its cytosolic substrate insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1), which in turn associates with and activates the enzyme phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase). In the present study we have examined these three initial steps in insulin action during the differentiation of 3T3-F442A adipocytes and after treatment with dexamethasone or insulin. The differentiation of 3T3-F442A cells was characterized by a 13-fold increase in insulin receptor protein, a 9-fold increase in IRS-1, and a 10- and 4.5-fold increase in their insulin-stimulated phosphorylation, respectively. The mRNA expression of these two proteins showed a similar 8-fold increase during differentiation. In addition there was a 3.5-fold increase in PI 3-kinase protein [85 kilodalton (kDa) subunit] and a 16-fold increase in IRS-1-associated PI 3-kinase activity between day 0 and day 8 of differentiation. Dexamethasone (1 microM) treatment of differentiated cells induced a further 48% (P < 0.05) increase in insulin receptor level, but the autophosphorylation of the receptor was decreased by 31 +/- 1% (P < 0.02). At the same time there was a decrease by 56 +/- 4% (P < 0.005) in IRS-1 protein and by 31 +/- 1% (P < 0.001) in IRS-1 phosphorylation. The expression of insulin receptor mRNA was unchanged, but the expression of IRS-1 mRNA was decreased by approximately 75% after dexamethasone. By contrast, dexamethasone induced a 69% increase in the level of PI 3-kinase as determined by immunoblotting. The combined effect of decreased IRS-1 phosphorylation and increased PI 3-kinase protein was a minimal change (15% decrease) in the association/activation between IRS-1 and PI 3-kinase. Chronic treatment with 100 nM insulin induced a time- and dose-dependent decrease in insulin receptor and IRS-1 protein levels reaching a nadir of 34 +/- 5% (P < 0.005) and 39 +/- 5% (P < 0.01) of control levels after 24 h, respectively. There was an even more marked decrease in the phosphorylation level of these proteins. Chronic insulin treatment also produced a 30% decrease in PI 3-kinase protein levels and a approximately 50% decrease in the association/activation between IRS-1/PI 3-kinase. The expression of insulin receptor and IRS-1 mRNA was unchanged during chronic insulin treatment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 synthesis in the human hepatoma cell line Hep G2. Metformin inhibits the stimulating effect of insulin.

High plasma plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) activity is associated with insulin resistance and is correlated with hyperinsulinemia. The cellular origin of plasma PAI-1 in insulin resistance is not known. The hepatoma cell line Hep G2 has been shown to synthesize PAI-1 in response to insulin. The aim of this study was to analyze the insulin-mediated response of PAI-1 and lipid synthesis in Hep G2 cells after producing an insulin-resistant state by decreasing insulin receptor numbers. The effect of metformin, a dimethyl-substituted biguanide, known to lower plasma insulin and PAI-1 levels in vivo was concomitantly evaluated. Preincubation by an 18-h exposure of Hep G2 cells to 10(-7) M insulin aimed at reducing the number of insulin receptors, was followed by a subsequent 24-h stimulation with 10(-9) M insulin. The decrease in insulin receptors was accompanied as expected, by a reduction in [14C]acetate incorporation, an index of lipid synthesis, whereas PAI-1 secretion and PAI-1 mRNA expression were enhanced. The addition of metformin did not modify the effect of insulin on insulin receptors or [14C]acetate incorporation. In contrast, the drug (10(-4) M) inhibited insulin-mediated PAI-1 synthesis. The results indicate that PAI-1 synthesis in presence of insulin is markedly increased in down-regulated cells, and that metformin inhibits this effect by acting at the cellular level. These in vitro data are relevant with those found in vivo in insulin-resistant patients. Hep G2 cells may be a suitable model to study PAI-1 regulation in response to hyperinsulinemia.

A solid-phase competitive radioimmunoassay for the insulin receptor

A radioimmunoassay for the insulin receptor has been developed. In this assay, unlabeled receptor competes with 125I-labeled receptor for binding to monoclonal anti-receptor antibodies immobilized on microtiter wells coated with affinity-purified anti-mouse immunoglobulin G. This assay was highly reproducible and could detect 7 ng (14 fmol) of insulin receptor. By utilizing monoclonal antibodies to various antigenic regions of the receptor, different parts of the receptor molecule could be examined. By utilizing antibodies to the cytoplasmic domain of the receptor, an assay was developed which was not influenced by the presence of insulin and could equally detect the insulin receptor from different species (rat and human) and different tissues (placenta and brain). By utilizing antibodies to an autophosphorylation site of the receptor, the assay was shown capable of detecting the extent of phosphorylation of the receptor. Finally, this assay was utilized to monitor the decrease in insulin receptors in lysates of insulin-treated human lymphocytes. This radioimmunoassay should be useful for monitoring both the number and status of the insulin receptor under a variety of physiological conditions.

Insulin-receptor biosynthesis in cultured lymphocytes from an insulin-resistant patient (Rabson-Mendenhall syndrome). Evidence for defect before insertion of receptor into plasma membrane.

In some patients with genetic forms of extreme insulin resistance, there is a marked decrease in the number of insulin receptors on the cell surface. We studied an insulin-resistant patient (RM-1) with the Rabson-Mendenhall syndrome. As judged by insulin-binding studies, Epstein-Barr virus-transformed lymphocytes from patient RM-1 exhibit a 90% decrease in the number of insulin receptors. Similarly, with either lactoperoxidase-catalyzed radioiodination of cell surface receptors or biosynthetic labeling of receptors with [3H]glucosamine, we demonstrated an 80-90% decrease in the number of insulin receptors in cells from patient RM-1. Previous studies have shown that the marked decrease in insulin receptors of the Rabson-Mendenhall patient is not due to accelerated receptor degradation. Therefore, we investigated the possibility that a slow rate of receptor biosynthesis might account for the 90% reduction of insulin receptors in cells from this patient. Insulin-receptor biosynthesis proceeds through a glycoprotein precursor with an apparent Mr of 190,000. It undergoes endopeptidase cleavage and further posttranslational processing to yield the mature 135,000- and 95,000-Mr glycoprotein subunits. We studied the biosynthesis of the 190,000-Mr precursor and mature receptor subunits by a pulse-chase labeling technique with [2-3H]mannose. The time course of insulin-receptor biosynthesis appeared normal in cells from patient RM-1, despite a 10-fold reduction in the number of receptors on the cell surface. Parallel pulse-chase experiments with either [2-3H]mannose or [35S]methionine yielded the same results regardless of which label was employed. Thus, the receptor precursor in the Rabson-Mendenhall patient seems to be synthesized at a normal rat.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Treatment of Poorly Regulated Non-Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus With Combination Insulin-Sulfonylurea

Non–insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) is characterized by increased hepatic glucose production and deficient peripheral glucose uptake. 1 These disturbances in glucose metabolism are thought to result from cellular resistance to insulin action and deficient secretion of insulin. 2,3 The cellular resistance to insulin action is caused by disturbances in one or more postreceptor sites of insulin action. 4,5 Decrease in insulin binding does occur, but it is thought to be due to down-regulation of the insulin receptor secondary to the increased basal plasma insulin levels. 5 A small direct decrease in insulin receptors in NIDDM cannot be excluded as a contributory cause to the insulin resistance. The β cell in patients with NIDDM does not secrete insulin appropriately in response to glucose. 3 This abnormality is likely the result of an intracellular disturbance and results in delayed as well as insufficient glucose-mediated insulin secretion. 6 As the level of fasting hyperglycemia increases, β-cell glucose-mediated insulin

Virus-induced decrease of insulin receptors in cultured human cells.

Viral infections may produce abnormalities in carbohydrate metabolism in normal subjects and profound changes in glucose homeostasis in insulin-dependent diabetics. Using an in vitro radio-receptor assay with 125I-labeled insulin and human-amnion (WISH) cells, the effect of viral infections on insulin receptors was examined. Both herpes simplex virus and vesicular stomatitis virus produced a 50% decrease in insulin binding. There was no evidence that this decrease was due to degradation of insulin. On quantitative analysis, this decrease in binding was found to be the result of a decrease in receptor concentration with no change in receptor affinity. The decrease in receptors occurred between 4 and 12 h, at the time viral antigens were being inserted into the plasma membrane of infected cells. Because the t 1/2 of insulin receptors in uninfected cells was between 14 and 24 h, the decrease in insulin receptors cannot be explained solely by virus-induced shut-off of macromolecular synthesis. Moreover, viruses such as encephalomyocarditis that do not insert new antigens into the plasma membrane, did not cause changes in the number of insulin receptors. The most likely explanation is that virus-induced changes in the plasma membrane altered or displaced insulin receptors. It is concluded that the insulin receptor assay is a sensitive and quantitative method for studying the effect of viral infections on cell membranes. These data also suggest that abnormalities in glucose metabolism associated with some viral infections may be due, in part, to changes in the concentration of insulin receptors.