Islet Dysfunction Research Articles

Role of Wnt signaling pathways in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has become a major global public health issue in the twenty-first century and its incidence has increased each year. Wnt signaling pathways are a set of multi-downstream signaling pathways activated by the binding of Wnt ligands to membrane protein receptors. Wnt signaling pathways regulate protein expression and play important roles in protecting the body's normal physiological metabolism. This review describes Wnt signaling pathways, and then aims to reveal how Wnt signaling pathways participate in the occurrence and development of T2DM. We found that Wnt/c-Jun N-terminal kinase signaling was closely associated with insulin resistance, inflammatory response, and pancreatic β-cell and endothelial dysfunction. β-catenin/transcription factor 7-like 2 (TCF7L2)-mediated and calcineurin/nuclear factor of activated T cells-mediated target genes were involved in insulin synthesis and secretion, insulin degradation, pancreatic β-cell growth and regeneration, and functional application of pancreatic β-cells. In addition, polymorphisms in the TCF7L2 gene could increase risk of T2DM according to previous and the most current results, and the T allele of its variants was a more adverse factor for abnormal pancreatic β-cell function and impaired glucose tolerance in patients with T2DM. These findings indicate a strong correlation between Wnt signaling pathways and T2DM, particularly in terms of pancreatic islet dysfunction and insulin resistance, and new therapeutic targets for T2DM may be identified.

Immune dysfunction in developmental programming of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is a common complication of pregnancy and increases the risk of the offspring developing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) later in life. Alterations in the immune system are implicated in the pathogenesis of IUGR-induced T2DM. The development of the fetal immune system is a delicate balance as it must remain tolerant of maternal antigens whilst also preparing for the post-birth environment. In addition, the fetal immune system is susceptible to an altered intrauterine milieu caused by maternal and placental inflammatory mediators or secondary to nutrient and oxygen deprivation. Pancreatic-resident macrophages populate the pancreas during fetal development, and their phenotype is dynamic through the neonatal period. Furthermore, macrophages in the islets are instrumental in islet development as they influence β-cell proliferation and islet neogenesis. In addition, cytokines, derived from β-cells and macrophages, are important to islet homeostasis in the fetus and adult and, when perturbed, can cause islet dysfunction. Several activated immune pathways have been identified in the islets of people who experienced IUGR, with alternations in the levels of IL-1β and IL-4 as well as changes in TGFβ signalling. Leptin levels are also altered. Immunomodulation has shown therapeutic benefit in T2DM and might be particularly useful in IUGR-induced T2DM.

Metal Induced Risk of Diabetes Mellitus Due to Toxicological Effects of Mercury: Influence of Environmental Threats

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a condition of hyperglycemia due to defects of insulin secretion and/or insulin action. Toxic metals such as lead, nickel, cadmium, arsenic and mercury have been identified which accumulate in various biological samples from T2D (type 2 diabetes) patients through environmental pollution and food chain. Present study will elucidate the toxicological effects of mercury (II) chloride in the pancreatic islets and liver tissues of rat which leads to dysfunction and degeneration of pancreatic islets and liver. Photomicrograph of histology of treated pancreas exhibited the disruption of islets, disorientation of cells and disruption of connective tissue septa. In mercury (II) chloride treated group pancreatic cells were found to be pyknotic and cellular death was confirmed by membrane rupture and necrosis. Alteration of blood glucose levels were observed by glucose tolerance test. The liver sections of rats treated with mercury (II) chloride showed modification in the structure of this organ. Treated liver showed lower periodic acid/Schiff response. In this study, changes in the architecture of pancreatic islets as well as liver may be the reason behind diabetes.

Pancreatic Islet Composition Affects Hormone Secretion in Isolated Alpha and Beta cells

Background/Objective: 
 The Integrated Islet Distribution Program (IIDP) distributes islets from five isolation Centers and serves as the main source of human islets for research in the U.S. In 2016, the IIDP initiated the Human Islet Phenotyping Program (HIPP), which provides standardized post-shipment assessment of islet hormone secretion and endocrine cell composition for each IIDP-supported islet isolation. To date, islets from 276 non-diabetic donors have been analyzed. We hypothesized that analysis of this unique resource will provide novel insights into how demographic and clinical features impact islet health. 
 
 Methods: 
 Relationships between insulin and glucagon secretion assessed by perifusion and islet composition (% of β- and α-cells) were analyzed using SAS Version 9.4. For each analysis, the isolation center was used as a covariate. 
 
 Results: 
 Of the 276 donors, 60% were male; 59% of donors were Caucasian, 28% were Hispanic, 9% were African-American; 4% were Asian; and 0.36% were American Indian. The % of β-cells was moderately correlated with insulin responses to 16.7 mM glucose (r=0.2785; p<0.0001) and 20 mM KCL (r=0.3109, p<0.0001). Similarly, the α-cell% was moderately correlated with total glucagon content (r=0.3362, p<0.0001) and glucagon responses to 1.7 mM glucose + 1mM epinephrine (r=0.2015, p=0.0001). The % of β -cells was negatively correlated with glucagon total content (r=-.243,p=.0001), while the α-cell% was negatively correlated with insulin stimulation index to KCL (r=-0.2573, p<0.0001). Notably, Asian donors exhibited a significantly higher β-cell% compared to other groups (p<0.05). Consistent with this, glucose-stimulated insulin secretion was higher in Asian donors compared to responses observed in islets from African American donors (p<0.01). 
 
 Conclusion: 
 These data indicate that islet cell composition influences insulin and glucagon secretory responses and suggests that race may impact islet composition and hormone secretion. Continued analysis of the HIPP dataset may aid in our understanding of risk factors for the development islet dysfunction in diabetes.

Proteomic and microRNA-omic profiles and potential mechanisms of dysfunction in pancreatic islet cells primed by inflammation.

Diabetes is an inflammatory disease that induces pancreatic islet dysfunction. However, to the best of our knowledge, the potential underlying molecular mechanisms of this inflammatory process remains unknown. The present study investigated microRNA (miRNA/miR) and protein expression profiles through proteomics and miRNA-omics. Lipopolysaccharide-induced macrophage cell medium (LRM) was used to stimulate inflammation in mouse Beta-TC-6 islet cells. Protein analysis revealed that 87 proteins were upregulated and 42 proteins were downregulated in LRM-treated Beta-TC-6 cells compared with control cells. Additionally, miRNA analysis revealed that 11 miRNAs were upregulated, while 28 miRNAs were downregulated in LRM-treated Beta-TC-6 cells compared with control cells. Islet cells exposed to inflammation exhibited markedly downregulated protein levels of transcription factor MafA, pancreatic and duodenal homeobox 1, paired box 6, homeobox protein Nkx-2.2, synaptosomal-associated protein 25, glucagon and insulin-2, while the expression of miR-146a-5p and miR-21a-5p were upregulated. It was also determined that upregulated miR-146a-5p and miR-21a-5p levels may be mediated by NF-κB activation. The downregulation of islet functional factor mRNA was partially reversed by treating islet cells with an inhibitor of miR-21a-5p. However, treatment with an miR-146a-5p inhibitor did not exert the same effect. Overall, the present study determined the molecular profiles of islet cell inflammation based on proteomics and miRNA-omics, and indicated that the proteins and miRNAs with altered expressions may form a large network that serves a role in islet dysfunction. Particularly, miR-21a-5p upregulation in response to inflammation may contribute to islet cell dysfunction. However, how these miRNAs regulated the expression of certain mRNAs and proteins in islet cell inflammation requires further investigation.

Fluorescence lifetime metabolic mapping of hypoxia-induced damage in pancreatic pseudo-islets.

Pancreatic islet isolation from donor pancreases is an essential step for the transplantation of insulin-secreting β-cells as a therapy to treat type 1 diabetes mellitus. This process however damages islet basement membranes, which can lead to islet dysfunction or death. Posttransplantation, islets are further stressed by a hypoxic environment and immune reactions that cause poor engraftment and graft failure. The current standards to assess islet quality before transplantation are destructive procedures, performed on a small islet population that does not reflect the heterogeneity of large isolated islet batches. In this study, we incorporated fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) into a pancreas-on-chip system to establish a protocol to noninvasively assess the viability and functionality of pancreatic β-cells in a three-dimensional in vitro model (= pseudo-islets). We demonstrate how (pre-) hypoxic β-cell-composed pseudo-islets can be discriminated from healthy functional pseudo-islets according to their FLIM-based metabolic profiles. The use of FLIM during the pretransplantation pancreatic islet selection process has the potential to improve the outcome of β-cell islet transplantation.

An increase in inflammation and islet dysfunction is a feature of prediabetes.

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a global health problem that will be diagnosed in almost 300 million people by 2025 according to the World Health Organization. Before being diagnosed with T2D, individuals may have glucose levels above normal but below the diabetic range. This condition is known as prediabetes. Studies showed that people with prediabetes had an increase in several pro-inflammatory cytokines in their serum and in their fasting glucose levels. The answer remains unclear when inflammation begins in the pancreas and islets, and what is the extent of this inflammation. Subjects with haemoglobin A1c levels from 5.7% to 6.4% were classified as pre-diabetic. Sections of pancreas and isolated islets from normal donors and donors with prediabetes were tested for markers of inflammation and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS). Gene and protein expression of the inflammatory markers resistin, interleukin-1 beta, tumour necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 increased in donors with prediabetes compared to normal donors. GSIS response was significantly decreased in pre-diabetic islets compared to normal islets. Donors with prediabetes also had decreased expression of CD163+ cells but not CD68+ cells. Based on our findings, inflammation and islet dysfunction may be more significant than originally thought in people with prediabetes. Rather than being in a normal state before diabetes occurs, it appears that subjects are already in an early diabetic condition resembling more closely T2D.

LncRNA Eif4g2 improves palmitate-induced dysfunction of mouse β-cells via modulation of Nrf2 activation

Chronic oxidative stress resulting from hyperlipidemia is thought to be a key pathogenic driver of pancreatic β-cell dysfunction in leading to the onset of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been increasingly recognized to regulate dysfunction within pancreatic β-cells in the context of T2DM. In the present study, we sought to comprehensively analyze the roles of lncRNAs in dysfunctional β-cells and mouse islets. Analyses of INS-1E cells were performed by RNA-seq and qRT-PCR after treating with or without 0.5 mM palmitate for 4 days, leading us to identify the novel lncRNA Eif4g2 (lncEif4g2) as a functional regulator within these cells. When we overexpressed lncEif4g2 in INS-1E β-cells and mouse islets, this was sufficient for the reversal of palmitate-mediated reductions in cell viability, insulin production, ATP production by mitochondria, and creation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the dysfunction of mouse islets, with nuclear factor erythroid 2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) activation also being observed. In contrast, when lncEif4g2 was knocked down this led INS-1E cells and mouse islets to become more sensitive to palmitate-induced dysfunction, with reduced Nrf2 nuclear translocation also being detected. When antioxidants were used to treat INS-1E cells and mouse islets, however, these negative effects were reversed. Additional functional analyses revealed lncEif4g2 to be capable of directly binding to miR-3074–5p in β-cells, with the expression of lncEif4g2 and miR-3074–5p being negatively correlated with one another. We further found that cAMP-responsive element binding-protein (CREB) was a miR-3074–5p target gene in these cells, thus at least in part serving as a functional mediator of the lncEif4g2/miR-3074–5p axis within dysfunctional β-cells. In summary, our results thus reveal that lncEif4g2 is able to indirectly regulate the expression of CREB via targeting miR-3074–5p in INS-1E cells and mouse islets, thereby leading to enhanced Nrf2 activation.

The mechanisms of lncRNA Tug1 in islet dysfunction in a mouse model of intrauterine growth retardation.

Taurine upregulated gene 1 (Tug1) is a novel lncRNA that participates in growth, and the abnormal expression of Tug1 related to mouse islet cell dysfunction. A recent study revealed that intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) related to the pathogenesis of diabetes. Here, we aimed to explore the role and mechanism of Tug1 in IUGR-mediated islet dysfunction. We observed that newborn IUGR mice had lower body and pancreas weight and smaller islets than newborn control mice. After IUGR mice were given a normal diet, they showed catch-up growth and abnormal glucose tolerance; however, the pancreas/body weight ratio remained low. Blood glucose, serum insulin and related gene expression showed mild recovery after overexpression of Tug1 in IUGR mice. Furthermore, Tug1 was enriched in the nuclei of MIN6 cells. Using RIP and CHIP analyses we found that Tug1 could regulate Hes1 expression by binding to EZH2 to affect insulin synthesis in MIN6 cells. These findings indicate that lncRNA Tug1 could regulate the expression of Hes1 via EZH2-driven H3K27 methylation and affect insulin production. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY: This study suggests Tug1 as a novel biomarker, as it was shown to regulate β cell function and is worthy of further investigation due to its potential for diabetes treatment.

Fisetin Alleviates Hepatic and Adipocyte Fibrosis and Insulin Resistance in Diet-Induced Obese Mice.

The present study aimed to investigate the protective role of the flavonoid fisetin (FI) on inflammation-mediated metabolic diseases, especially tissue fibrosis and insulin resistance (IR) in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice. C57BL/6J mice were fed with normal-fat diet, HFD (40 kcal% fat), or HFD +0.02% (w/w) FI for 16 weeks. Dietary FI supplementation improved hepatic steatosis by restricting lipogenesis, while promoting lipolysis in the liver. FI also prevented adiposity via an increase in the expression of genes involved in FA oxidation and a decrease in the expression of genes involved in lipogenesis in white adipose tissue. In addition, FI increased brown adipose tissue (BAT) and skeletal muscle weights, thermogenic gene mRNA expression in BAT, and tricarboxylic acid cycle-related gene expression in skeletal muscle, which may be linked to the prevention of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease as well as adiposity. Moreover, FI supplementation decreased excessive reactive oxygen species production by increasing paraoxonase activity, adipokine dysregulation, proinflammatory cytokine production, and extracellular matrix amassment in the liver. FI supplementation ameliorated IR, in part, by normalizing pancreatic islet dysfunction, and it declined hepatic gluconeogenesis and proinflammatory responses. Taken together, the present findings indicate that FI can protect against HFD-induced inflammation-mediated disorders, including fibrosis and IR.

Caloric restriction recovers impaired β-cell-β-cell gap junction coupling, calcium oscillation coordination, and insulin secretion in prediabetic mice.

Caloric restriction can decrease the incidence of metabolic diseases, such as obesity and Type 2 diabetes mellitus. The mechanisms underlying the benefits of caloric restriction involved in insulin secretion and glucose homeostasis are not fully understood. Intercellular communication within the islets of Langerhans, mediated by Connexin36 (Cx36) gap junctions, regulates insulin secretion dynamics and glucose homeostasis. The goal of this study was to determine whether caloric restriction can protect against decreases in Cx36 gap junction coupling and altered islet function induced in models of obesity and prediabetes. C57BL6 mice were fed with a high-fat diet (HFD), showing indications of prediabetes after 2 mo, including weight gain, insulin resistance, and elevated fasting glucose and insulin levels. Subsequently, mice were submitted to 1 mo of 40% caloric restriction (2 g/day of HFD). Mice under 40% caloric restriction showed reversal in weight gain and recovered insulin sensitivity, fasting glucose, and insulin levels. In islets of mice fed the HFD, caloric restriction protected against obesity-induced decreases in gap junction coupling and preserved glucose-stimulated calcium signaling, including Ca2+ oscillation coordination and oscillation amplitude. Caloric restriction also promoted a slight increase in glucose metabolism, as measured by increased NAD(P)H autofluorescence, as well as recovering glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. We conclude that declines in Cx36 gap junction coupling that occur in obesity can be completely recovered by caloric restriction and obesity reversal, improving Ca2+ dynamics and insulin secretion regulation. This suggests a critical role for caloric restriction in the context of obesity to prevent islet dysfunction.

IL-17F induces inflammation, dysfunction and cell death in mouse islets

Type 17 immune responses, typified by the production of the cytokines IL-17A and IL-17F, have been implicated in the development of type 1 diabetes in animal models and human patients, however the underlying pathogenic mechanisms have not been clearly elucidated. While previous studies show that IL-17A enhances inflammatory gene expression and cell death in mouse β-cells and human islets, the function of IL-17F in pancreatic β-cells is completely untested to date. Here we show that IL-17F exhibits potent pathogenic effects in mouse β-cell lines and islets. IL-17F signals via the IL-17RA and -RC subunits in β-cells and in combination with other inflammatory cytokines induces expression of chemokine transcripts, suppresses the expression of β-cell identity genes and impairs glucose stimulated insulin secretion. Further IL-17F induces cell death in primary mouse islets. This occurs via Jnk, p38 and NF-κB dependent induction of Nos2 and is completely ablated in the presence of an inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) inhibitor. Together these data indicate that IL-17F possesses similar pathogenic activities to IL-17A in mouse β-cell lines and islets and is likely to be a type 17 associated pathogenic factor in type 1 diabetes.

Hypoglycemia and Islet Dysfunction Following Oral Glucose Tolerance Testing in Pancreatic-Insufficient Cystic Fibrosis.

Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT)-related hypoglycemia is common in pancreatic-insufficient cystic fibrosis (PI-CF), but its mechanistic underpinnings are yet to be established. To delineate the mechanism(s) underlying OGTT-related hypoglycemia. We performed 180-minute OGTTs with frequent blood sampling in adolescents and young adults with PI-CF and compared results with those from a historical healthy control group. Hypoglycemia (Hypo[+]) was defined as plasma glucose <65 mg/dL. We hypothesized that CF-Hypo[+] would demonstrate impaired early phase insulin secretion and persistent late insulin effect compared with control-Hypo[+], and explored the contextual counterregulatory response. OGTT 1-hour and nadir glucose, insulin, C-peptide, and insulin secretory rate (ISR) incremental areas under the curve (AUC) between 0 and 30 minutes (early) and between 120 and 180 minutes (late), and Δglucagon120-180min and Δfree fatty acids (FFAs)120-180min were compared between individuals with CF and control participants with Hypo[+]. Hypoglycemia occurred in 15/23 (65%) patients with CF (43% female, aged 24.8 [14.6-30.6] years) and 8/15 (55%) control participants (33% female, aged 26 [21-38] years). The CF-Hypo[+] group versus the control-Hypo[+] group had higher 1-hour glucose (197 ± 49 vs 139 ± 53 mg/dL; P = 0.05) and lower nadir glucose levels (48 ± 7 vs 59 ± 4 mg/dL; P < 0.01), while insulin, C-peptide, and ISR-AUC0-30 min results were lower and insulin and C-peptide, and AUC120-180min results were higher (P < 0.05). Individuals with CF-Hypo[+] had lower Δglucagon120-180min and ΔFFA120-180min compared with the control-Hypo[+] group (P < 0.01). OGTT-related hypoglycemia in PI-CF is associated with elevated 1-hour glucose, impaired early phase insulin secretion, higher late insulin exposure, and less increase in glucagon and FFAs. These data suggest that hypoglycemia in CF is a manifestation of islet dysfunction including an impaired counterregulatory response.

Bilirubin Protects Transplanted Islets by Targeting Ferroptosis.

Islet transplantation is an attractive treatment for type 1 diabetic patients. However, transplanted islets suffered from considerable cell death due to inflammatory reactions and oxidative stress. Ferroptosis is a programmed death characterized by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation, which has been implicated in the islet loss and dysfunction. Our previous studies showed that bilirubin displayed protection effect for islets by inhibiting early inflammation and oxidative stress. However, whether bilirubin protects islets by targeting ferroptosis has not yet been elucidated. Here, the isolated islet was exposed to ferroptosis-inducing agents with or without bilirubin. Islet viability, insulin secretion, and oxidative stress levels were assessed. Subsequently, the pretreated islets were transplanted into the subrenal site of streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. Bilirubin could significantly attenuate ferroptosis in isolated islets, along with reduced oxidative stress, elevated GPX4 expression and upregulation of Nrf2/HO-1. Experimental data also confirmed that bilirubin could chelate iron. In vivo graft study demonstrated that euglycemia was achieved in diabetic mice receiving bilirubin-pretreated islets within 24 hours, while the control islets required at least 7 days. Bilirubin could improve islet viability and function through inhibiting ferroptosis, which could be of clinic interest to apply bilirubin into the islet transplantation system.

2056-P: In Vivo Human Islet Compensation and Dysfunction to Diet-Induced Obesity: A Phase 0 Preclinical Model

A translational discrepancy exists between animal models used for diabetes research and diabetes in man, thus human relevant models must become a priority. We showed that collectively human islet grafts from 26 donors statistically significantly adapted their function and endocrine and β-cell mass to HFD (high fat diet) in vivo in 233 RAG2KO mice. Human islet compensation occurs at 6 weeks and metabolic dysfunction upon chronic ≥10 weeks HFD. Herein, gene expression studies (GeneChip® Human Gene 2.0 ST Arrays) identified molecular pathways involved. Indeed, human islets compensate to HFD by upregulating hormones, transcription factors, antioxidants, and unfolded protein response genes, and then become dysfunctional at 10 wks -by downregulating these genes. Herein we show Krebs cycle and Mitochondrial electron transport chain was targeted with a transient increase at 6wk and then a drop-in expression at 10 wks; whereas uncouplinggene expression UCP2 and 3 increased. Glycolysis remained upregulated. Explanations for expanded islet and beta mass in HFD (vs. CTL) may be found in cell cycle heatmap. Lastly, a marker of activated stellate cells TAGLN, and matrix genes rose during islet dysfunction (fibrosis?). Conclusion: This human-based model system progressively depicts defects identified in human pre and T2DM that could serve as a “phase 0” in vivo model to test new targets and develop effective therapies in man. Disclosure J.A. Kerr-Conte: None. J. Thevenet: None. G. Pasquetti: None. P. Petit: None. C. Clabaut: None. V. Gmyr: None. C. Bonner: None. S. Gargani: None. F. Pattou: None. Funding JDRF; Programme d’investissements d’avenir; LabEx; European Genomic Institute for Diabetes (ANR-10-LABX-46)

2061-P: Islet Single Cell Transcriptomes Reveal Cellular and Gene Regulatory Alterations in Type 2 Diabetes Pathogenesis

Pancreatic islet (dys)function and failure is central to both type 2 diabetes (T2D) genetic risk and pathogenesis. Islet cellular heterogeneity has impeded precise understanding of the specific gene(s) and pathway(s) in each cell type that are altered by and/or may contribute to pathophysiology in the prediabetic (PD) and type 2 diabetic (T2D) states. To identify cellular and molecular features of islet dysfunction in PD and T2D states, we completed single cell transcriptome profiling of 137k human islet cells from 11 ND, 6 PD, and 11 T2D donors (⋃5k/individual). Single cell transcriptomes aggregated into distinct clusters of endocrine (alpha, beta, delta, PP/gamma), exocrine (acinar, stellate, ductal), endothelial, and immune cell types. Targeted analysis of each endocrine cell type identified a proliferative alpha cell sub-population comprising ∼0.15-0.3% of endocrine cells and variable insulin production and endoplasmic reticulum stress beta cell states. We compared the proportion of islet endocrine cell type (sub)populations sampled between T2D, PD, and ND donors and found that T2D samples contained significantly fewer beta cells and more alpha cells than ND and, to a lesser degree, PD samples. Delta and PP/gamma cell proportions were similar between disease states. Importantly, no (sub)populations were ND, PD, or T2D-specific. We compared aggregate T2D, PD, and ND cell type-specific transcriptomes to identify differentially expressed genes in each cell type. Genes related to exocytic granule assembly/organization, including those induced by T2D risk variants (DGKB) or T2D state (GAP43), were among 99 genes induced in T2D beta cells. 103 repressed genes included those associated with glucose transport and implicated as T2D GWAS effector genes such as SLC2A2, SLC5A1, and STARD10, a gene whose deletion in mice impairs islet insulin secretion. Studies are ongoing to assess the functional role(s) of these and additional genes in islet (dys)function. Disclosure N. Lawlor: None. R. Kursawe: None. M.L. Stitzel: None. Funding American Diabetes Association/Pathway to Stop Diabetes (1-18-ACE-15 to M.L.S.)

1-LB: Diurnal Regulation of Pancreatic Beta-Cell Proliferation following Massive Ablation

Pancreatic islet cellular oscillators have been recently demonstrated to play a critical role in regulating glucose homeostasis in physiological conditions. However, little is known about changes of molecular clockwork upon islet dysfunction, and its role in beta (b)-cell regeneration. We aimed to assess diurnal regulation of b-cell proliferation and circadian transcriptome of alpha (a)- and b-cells following massive b-cell ablation in rtTA/TET-DTA mouse model. Diurnal proliferation of remnant b-cells was assessed by injecting bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) before sacrificing in several time-points across 24 h. The role of functional islet oscillators in b-cell regeneration was studies in clock deficient mice. Our data suggest that both absolute levels and diurnal profiles of blood glucose, insulin and glucagon are altered following b-cell ablation. Temporal RNAseq analyses suggest massive changes in b-cell temporal transcriptome landscape, with modest alterations in a-cell transcriptional regulation. Complimentary differential RNAseq analysis of b-cells between intact islets and after ablation showed altered expression of genes involved in hormone secretory pathway, and activation of transcripts responsible for cell proliferation. In line with the circadian rhythmicity of cell-cycle related transcripts, the incorporation of BrdU by residual b-cells exhibited circadian rhythmicity. Moreover, we show that also in young pups, b-cell proliferation follows diurnal pattern. Importantly, the arrhythmic Bmal1 KO mice failed to regenerate b-cells after ablation. To conclude, loss of b-cell mass in rtTA/TET-DTA mice affects gene transcription in residual b-cells, but not in a-cells, while the temporal transcriptome profile is perturbed in both cell types, paralleled with impaired daily secretion of insulin and glucagon. Noteworthy, the key component of molecular clock Bmal1 is required for proper regeneration and functional recovery after massive b-cell ablation. Disclosure V. Petrenko: None. M. Stolovich-Rain: None. B. Vandereycken: None. S. Chera: None. Y. Dor: None. C. Dibner: None. Funding Swiss National Science Foundation (31003A_166700/1, 310030_184708/1)

2104-P: Proinflammatory Cytokines Impair Human Islet and Beta-Cell Glucose Oxidation

Pro-inflammatory cytokines contribute to beta cell dysfunction in type 1 diabetes (T1D), but the exact underlying mechanisms remain unclear. It was previously shown that cytokines inhibit mitochondrial glucose oxidation leading to impaired glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in rat INS-1E cells, however, the effect of cytokines on mitochondrial respiration in human islets has not been explored. In this study, we investigated mitochondrial dysfunction in human islets and rat beta cells following cytokine treatment. We exposed isolated human pancreatic islets and rat INS-1E cells for up to 24 h to IL-1β and IFN-γ to mimic early beta cell destruction in T1D. Mitochondrial bioenergetics were analyzed by Seahorse XFe24 technology. Human islets from three healthy organ donors exposed to cytokines showed a reduction in glucose-induced oxygen consumption and an increase in ATP-uncoupled respiration. Higher basal mitochondrial oxygen consumption was also observed, which was not associated with an increase in ATP production. In INS-1E cells, cytokines exerted a strong inhibitory effect on mitochondrial glucose oxidation in a dose-independent manner. In acute exposure experiments, no effect on oxygen consumption was observed up to eight hours after cytokine exposure. This finding proposes that cytokine-induced inhibition of mitochondrial respiration is dependent on secondary signaling mechanism and/or changes in gene transcription. To conclude, glucose-induced oxygen consumption is reduced by cytokines in both human islets and INS-1E cells indicative of impaired mitochondrial respiration. Moreover, cytokines augment mitochondrial uncoupled respiration in human islets, indicating mitochondrial dysfunction that may contribute to islet failure in T1D. Ongoing work is investigating gene expression of genes involved in mitochondrial respiration processes. Further studies are needed to clarify the possible pathogenic role of mitochondrial dysfunction in T1D and the underlying mechanisms. Disclosure J. Melo: None. V. Hirschberg Jensen: None. J. Størling: None.

2111-P: Role of G-Protein Coupled Receptor 31 (GPR31) in ß-Cell Health and Disease

Islet β-cell inflammation, dysfunction, and death are characteristic of diabetes. 12/15-Lipoxygenase (12/15-LOX) produces 12-HETE and is found activated under conditions of insulin resistance and systemic inflammation. 12-HETE acts as an inflammatory mediator that promotes β-cell dysfunction and death through oxidative stress. Since 12-HETE has been shown to bind the G-protein coupled receptor 31 (GPR31), we hypothesized that this binding activates pathways leading to β-cell dysfunction. To test our hypothesis, we screened primary islets and β-cell lines for the presence of GPR31 and studied islets and glucose homeostasis in Gpr31b-/- mice. We observed that GPR31 is present in human and mouse islets, and the mouse β cell-derived cell line (βTC3). Consistent with a role in inflammation, GPR31 expression was increased upon stimulation with a cocktail of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-1β). We also created a germline knockout of the gene encoding GPR31 (Gpr31b) in mice. Similar to mice with deletion of the gene for 12/15-LOX (Alox15-/-), Gpr31b-/- mice were viable and healthy, with body weight and glucose tolerance indistinguishable from control littermates. To mimic conditions of insulin resistance in vitro, we treated isolated islets Gpr31-/- and control littermates with 10 µM S961, an insulin receptor inhibitor. Treated control islets showed an expected decrease in β-cell identity genes (Ins1/2, Pdx1), genes encoding antioxidant enzymes (Gpx1), and an increase in genes associated with ER stress (Chop, sXbp1). In contrast, Gpr31b-/- islets expression of these genes was resistant to S961. Compared to control littermates, Gpr31-/- mice were resistant to glucose intolerance induced by the β-cell inflammatory toxin streptozotocin. Together these data support the hypothesis that the major product of 12/15-LOX, 12-HETE, acts via GPR31 in promoting β-cell dysfunction in the setting of insulin resistance and inflammation. Disclosure M. Hernandez-Perez: None. I. Haider: None. R.M. Anderson: None. S.A. Tersey: None. R. Mirmira: Advisory Panel; Self; Hibercell, Sigilon Therapeutics, Veralox Therapeutics. Employee; Spouse/Partner; Eli Lilly and Company. Funding JDRF (3-PDF-2019-750-A-N); National Institutes of Health (T32DK064466, R01DK105588, (P30DK097512)

Integrated human pseudoislet system and microfluidic platform demonstrate differences in GPCR signaling in islet cells.

Pancreatic islets secrete insulin from β cells and glucagon from α cells, and dysregulated secretion of these hormones is a central component of diabetes. Thus, an improved understanding of the pathways governing coordinated β and α cell hormone secretion will provide insight into islet dysfunction in diabetes. However, the 3D multicellular islet architecture, essential for coordinated islet function, presents experimental challenges for mechanistic studies of intracellular signaling pathways in primary islet cells. Here, we developed an integrated approach to study the function of primary human islet cells using genetically modified pseudoislets that resemble native islets across multiple parameters. Further, we developed a microperifusion system that allowed synchronous acquisition of GCaMP6f biosensor signal and hormone secretory profiles. We demonstrate the utility of this experimental approach by studying the effects of Gi and Gq GPCR pathways on insulin and glucagon secretion by expressing the designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs (DREADDs) hM4Di or hM3Dq. Activation of Gi signaling reduced insulin and glucagon secretion, while activation of Gq signaling stimulated glucagon secretion but had both stimulatory and inhibitory effects on insulin secretion, which occur through changes in intracellular Ca2+. The experimental approach of combining pseudoislets with a microfluidic system allowed the coregistration of intracellular signaling dynamics and hormone secretion and demonstrated differences in GPCR signaling pathways between human β and α cells.