Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor In Cells Research Articles

14-3-3-zeta mediates GLP-1 receptor agonist action to alter α cell proglucagon processing.

Recent studies demonstrate that α cells contribute to glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS). Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonists potently potentiate GSIS, making these drugs useful for diabetes treatment. However, the role of α and β cell paracrine interactions in the effects of GLP-1R agonists is undefined. We previously found that increased β cell GLP-1R signaling activates α cell GLP-1 expression. Here, we characterized the bidirectional paracrine cross-talk by which α and β cells communicate to mediate the effects of the GLP-1R agonist, liraglutide. We find that the effect of liraglutide to enhance GSIS is blunted by α cell ablation in male mice. Furthermore, the effect of β cell GLP-1R signaling to activate α cell GLP-1 is mediated by a secreted protein factor that is regulated by the signaling protein, 14-3-3-zeta, in mouse and human islets. These data refine our understanding of GLP-1 pharmacology and identify 14-3-3-zeta as a potential target to enhance α cell GLP-1 production.

366-OR: 14-3-3-ζ Contributes to Effect of ß-Cell GLP1 Receptor Signaling to Alter a-Cell Proglucagon Processing

Glucagon like peptide 1 (GLP1) , a classically gut derived hormone, potentiates insulin secretion. New evidence suggests that α cells can produce GLP1 under certain conditions, which may offer a novel therapeutic modality for treating diabetes; however, the mechanisms regulating α cell GLP1 production are unknown. We previously found that enhanced β cell GLP1 receptor (GLP1R) signaling activates α cell GLP1 by activating prohormone convertase 1/3 (Pcsk1) expression. We tested the hypothesis that enhanced β cell GLP1R signaling activates α cell GLP1 production through paracrine factors. We studied the impact of conditioned media (CM) generated from β cell GLP1R WT and KO islets of saline (CTRL) and liraglutide (LIRA) treated mice on α cell gene expression and function. CM from LIRA treated islets increased α cell Pcsk1 expression and active GLP-1 secretion only if β cells expressed the GLP1R (Pcsk1 expression (AU) : CTRL WT=1.0±0.1, LIRA WT=2.0±0.3, CTRL KO=1.1±0.2, LIRA KO=1.1±0.2, P<0.01; active GLP-1 (pg/mL) : CTRL WT=124±44, LIRA WT=682±247, CTRL KO=173±101, LIRA KO=116±30, P<0.05) . Subsequent identification of the proteome secreted by mouse and human islets in response to LIRA and CTRL revealed 14-3-3-ζ as a lead candidate in the regulation of α cell Pcsk1 expression. To assess the role of 14-3-3-ζ, islets from LIRA treated mice were treated with and without 14-3-3-ζ, and islets from CTRL treated mice were treated with and without the 14-3-3 inhibitor, R18. Addition of 14-3-3-ζ ablated the effect of CM from LIRA treated islets to increase α cell Pcsk1 expression, while inhibition of 14-3-3 with R18 in CTRL islets resulted in CM that mimicked the effect of CM from LIRA treated islets to stimulate α cell Pcsk1 expression (Pcsk1 expression: CTRL=1.1±0.2, R18=2.0±0.2, LIRA=2.4±0.3, LIRA+14-3-3-ζ=1.3±0.1, P<0.05) . These data refine our understanding of α cell GLP1 regulation and identify 14-3-3-ζ as a potential target with which to enhance α cell GLP1 production for diabetes treatment. Disclosure M.Holter: None. B.Cummings: None. D.Phuong: None. I.S.H.Lee: None. M.Saikia: None. L.A.Weikert: Stock/Shareholder; Merck & Co., Inc., Oramed Pharmaceuticals. E.T.Anderson: None. Q.Fu: None. S.Zhang: None. K.Sloop: Employee; Eli Lilly and Company. Funding NIH/NIDDK (F30 DK126538) Department of Defense (W81XWH-18-1-0206) The Hartwell Foundation NIH/NIDDK (R56DK124853)

Expanded LUXendin Color Palette for GLP1R Detection and Visualization In Vitro and In Vivo.

The glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP1R) is expressed in peripheral tissues and the brain, where it exerts pleiotropic actions on metabolic and inflammatory processes. Detection and visualization of GLP1R remains challenging, partly due to a lack of validated reagents. Previously, we generated LUXendins, antagonistic red and far-red fluorescent probes for specific labeling of GLP1R in live and fixed cells/tissues. We now extend this concept to the green and near-infrared color ranges by synthesizing and testing LUXendin492, LUXendin551, LUXendin615, and LUXendin762. All four probes brightly and specifically label GLP1R in cells and pancreatic islets. Further, LUXendin551 acts as a chemical beta cell reporter in preclinical rodent models, while LUXendin762 allows noninvasive imaging, highlighting differentially accessible GLP1R populations. We thus expand the color palette of LUXendins to seven different spectra, opening up a range of experiments using wide-field microscopy available in most labs through super-resolution imaging and whole animal imaging. With this, we expect that LUXendins will continue to generate novel and specific insights into GLP1R biology.

GLP-1 receptor signaling increases PCSK1 and β cell features in human α cells.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is an incretin hormone that potentiates glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. GLP-1 is classically produced by gut L cells; however, under certain circumstances α cells can express the prohormone convertase required for proglucagon processing to GLP-1, prohormone convertase 1/3 (PC1/3), and can produce GLP-1. However, the mechanisms through which this occurs are poorly defined. Understanding the mechanisms by which α cell PC1/3 expression can be activated may reveal new targets for diabetes treatment. Here, we demonstrate that the GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonist, liraglutide, increased α cell GLP-1 expression in a β cell GLP-1R–dependent manner. We demonstrate that this effect of liraglutide was translationally relevant in human islets through application of a new scRNA-seq technology, DART-Seq. We found that the effect of liraglutide to increase α cell PC1/3 mRNA expression occurred in a subcluster of α cells and was associated with increased expression of other β cell–like genes, which we confirmed by IHC. Finally, we found that the effect of liraglutide to increase bihormonal insulin+ glucagon+ cells was mediated by the β cell GLP-1R in mice. Together, our data validate a high-sensitivity method for scRNA-seq in human islets and identify a potentially novel GLP-1–mediated pathway regulating human α cell function.

1784-P: Liraglutide Treatment Stimulates Alpha Cells to Produce Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 via Expression of Prohormone Convertase 1/3 in Mice and Human

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) regulates islet function by enhancing glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS). We previously found that the beta cell GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) contributes to improvements in glucose regulation and islet function in mice that have undergone bariatric surgery, specifically, vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG). Further investigation revealed that VSG increases alpha cell GLP-1 production by turning on the expression of prohormone convertase 1/3 (PC1/3, gene: Pcsk1) in a beta cell GLP-1R-dependent fashion. These findings lead us to hypothesize that beta cell GLP-1R signaling increases alpha cell GLP-1 production to augment GSIS in a paracrine positive feedback loop. In the current study, we tested whether the effects of VSG can be recapitulated by pharmacologic stimulation of the GLP-1R, using a GLP-1 analog, liraglutide. We found that liraglutide treatment increases alpha cell GLP-1 expression in a beta cell GLP-1R dependent fashion (GLP-1 area per islet (µm2): Vehicle WT = 132 ± 3, Vehicle KO = 73 ± 2, Liraglutide WT = 241 ± 15, Liraglutide KO = 67 ± 1; P<0.05 Liraglutide WT vs. all groups). We then used an innovative single-cell RNA-sequencing platform, DART-seq, to determine the translational relevance of this new model of islet function. We validated application of DART-seq in human islets, and using this technology we observed that liraglutide induces a 1.5 log-fold increase in Pcsk1 mRNA expression compared with saline treated controls in a subset of alpha cells (P<0.05 saline vs. liraglutide). Additionally, our DART-seq data suggests that liraglutide-induced increase in alpha cell PC1/3 expression may be part of a broader induction of alpha-cell transdifferentiation to beta cells. Thus, our study demonstrates that the effect of beta cell GLP-1R signaling to increase alpha-cell GLP-1 expression can be stimulated by pharmacological activation of the GLP-1R and has translational relevance in humans. Disclosure M. Saikia: None. M.M. Holter: None. D. Garibay: None. A. Garcia-Ocana: None. C.G. Danko: None. B. Cummings: None.

Super-resolution microscopy compatible fluorescent probes reveal endogenous glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor distribution and dynamics

The glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP1R) is a class B G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) involved in metabolism. Presently, its visualization is limited to genetic manipulation, antibody detection or the use of probes that stimulate receptor activation. Herein, we present LUXendin645, a far-red fluorescent GLP1R antagonistic peptide label. LUXendin645 produces intense and specific membrane labeling throughout live and fixed tissue. GLP1R signaling can additionally be evoked when the receptor is allosterically modulated in the presence of LUXendin645. Using LUXendin645 and LUXendin651, we describe islet, brain and hESC-derived β-like cell GLP1R expression patterns, reveal higher-order GLP1R organization including membrane nanodomains, and track single receptor subpopulations. We furthermore show that the LUXendin backbone can be optimized for intravital two-photon imaging by installing a red fluorophore. Thus, our super-resolution compatible labeling probes allow visualization of endogenous GLP1R, and provide insight into class B GPCR distribution and dynamics both in vitro and in vivo.

Endothelial GLP-1 (Glucagon-Like Peptide-1) Receptor Mediates Cardiovascular Protection by Liraglutide In Mice With Experimental Arterial Hypertension.

Cardiovascular outcome trials demonstrated that GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) analogs including liraglutide reduce the risk of cardiovascular events in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Whether GLP-1 analogs reduce the risk for atherosclerosis independent of glycemic control is challenging to elucidate as the GLP-1R (GLP-1 receptor) is expressed on different cell types, including endothelial and immune cells. Approach and Results: Here, we reveal the cardio- and vasoprotective mechanism of the GLP-1 analog liraglutide at the cellular level in a murine, nondiabetic model of arterial hypertension. Wild-type (C57BL/6J), global (Glp1r-/-), as well as endothelial (Glp1rflox/floxxCdh5cre) and myeloid cell-specific knockout mice (Glp1rflox/floxxLysMcre) of the GLP-1R were studied, and arterial hypertension was induced by angiotensin II. Liraglutide treatment normalized blood pressure, cardiac hypertrophy, vascular fibrosis, endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and vascular inflammation in a GLP-1R-dependent manner. Mechanistically, liraglutide reduced leukocyte rolling on the endothelium and infiltration of myeloid Ly6G-Ly6C+ and Ly6G+Ly6C+ cells into the vascular wall. As a consequence, liraglutide prevented vascular oxidative stress, reduced S-glutathionylation as a marker of eNOS (endothelial NO synthase) uncoupling, and increased NO bioavailability. Importantly, all of these beneficial cardiovascular effects of liraglutide persisted in myeloid cell GLP-1R-deficient (Glp1rflox/floxxLysMcre) mice but were abolished in global (Glp1r-/-) and endothelial cell-specific (Glp1rflox/floxxCdh5cre) GLP-1R knockout mice. GLP-1R activation attenuates cardiovascular complications of arterial hypertension by reduction of vascular inflammation through selective actions requiring the endothelial but not the myeloid cell GLP-1R.

Genetically Encoding a Lipidated Amino Acid for Extension of Protein Half‐Life in vivo

AbstractProtein therapeutics are increasingly used to treat various diseases, yet they often suffer from short serum half‐lives. An emerging strategy to extend lifetime in vivo is to attach fatty acids onto proteins to increase their binding to human serum albumin (HSA). Herein, the genetic encoding of ϵ‐N‐heptanoyl‐l‐lysine (HepoK) is reported, which introduces a fatty‐acid‐containing amino acid into proteins with exquisite site‐specificity and homogeneity, overcoming issues associated with existing chemical conjugation methods. The expression in E .coli and purification of HepoK‐incorporated glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP1) is demonstrated. GLP1(HepoK) showed stronger binding to HSA than GLP1(WT), without impairing the stimulation of the GLP1 receptor in cells. Moreover, GLP1(HepoK) decreased blood glucose level to the same level as GLP1(WT) in mice, showing longer‐lasting effects than GLP1(WT). HepoK incorporation will also be useful for investigating the function of protein lipidation.

Genetically Encoding a Lipidated Amino Acid for Extension of Protein Half-Life in vivo.

Protein therapeutics are increasingly used to treat various diseases, yet they often suffer from short serum half-lives. An emerging strategy to extend lifetime in vivo is to attach fatty acids onto proteins to increase their binding to human serum albumin (HSA). Herein, the genetic encoding of ϵ-N-heptanoyl-l-lysine (HepoK) is reported, which introduces a fatty-acid-containing amino acid into proteins with exquisite site-specificity and homogeneity, overcoming issues associated with existing chemical conjugation methods. The expression in E .coli and purification of HepoK-incorporated glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP1) is demonstrated. GLP1(HepoK) showed stronger binding to HSA than GLP1(WT), without impairing the stimulation of the GLP1 receptor in cells. Moreover, GLP1(HepoK) decreased blood glucose level to the same level as GLP1(WT) in mice, showing longer-lasting effects than GLP1(WT). HepoK incorporation will also be useful for investigating the function of protein lipidation.

β Cell GLP-1R Signaling Alters α Cell Proglucagon Processing after Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy in Mice

SUMMARYBariatric surgery, such as vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG), causes high rates of type 2 diabetes remission and remarkable increases in postprandial glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) secretion. GLP-1 plays a critical role in islet function by potentiating glucose-stimulated insulin secretion; however, the mechanisms remain incompletely defined. Therefore, we applied a murine VSG model to an inducible β cell-specific GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) knockout mouse model to investigate the role of the β cell GLP-1R in islet function. Our data show that loss of β cell GLP-1R signaling decreases α cell GLP-1 expression after VSG. Furthermore, we find a β cell GLP-1R-dependent increase in α cell expression of the prohormone convertase required for the production of GLP-1 after VSG. Together, the findings herein reveal two concepts. First, our data support a paracrine role for α cell-derived GLP-1 in the metabolic benefits observed after VSG. Second, we have identified a role for the β cell GLP-1R as a regulator of α cell proglucagon processing.

Effects of GW002, a novel recombinant human glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analog fusion protein, on CHO recombinant cells and BKS-db mice.

GLP-1-based strategies have many advantages in treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), but native GLP-1 has a short half-life in the circulation, which limits its clinical application. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of GW002, a novel recombinant GLP-1 analog fusion protein produced by linking the human GLP-1 analog C-terminus to the N-terminus of human serum albumin via a linker, in vitro and in BKS-db mice. To determine whether GW002 can activate the GLP-1 receptor in cells, the level of luciferase expression was evaluated in vitro. In vivo, body weight, food intake, non-fasting and fasting blood glucose, oral glucose tolerance test, blood glucose and insulin levels, liver histology, liver function parameters and antibody levels in BKS-db mice were investigated to evaluate the effects of GW002. Albiglutide was chosen as a positive comparator. Cyclic adenosine monophosphate levels were increased in a dose-dependent manner in cells. In vivo studies demonstrated that GW002 lowers non-fasting and fasting blood glucose levels and improves glucose tolerance and insulin secretion in BKS-db mice. The degree of hepatic steatosis and hepatic biochemical indexes was also decreased. In this study, the mice body weight was not reduced significantly. The above results showed that the efficacy of GW002 in BKS-db mice displayed a significant hypoglycemic effect, which indicated that GW002 might be a potential candidate for the treatment of T2DM.