Restored Insulin Secretion Research Articles

ApoA-I Protects Pancreatic β-Cells From Cholesterol-Induced Mitochondrial Damage and Restores Their Ability to Secrete Insulin.

High cholesterol levels in pancreatic β-cells cause oxidative stress and decrease insulin secretion. β-cells can internalize apo (apolipoprotein) A-I, which increases insulin secretion. This study asks whether internalization of apoA-I improves β-cell insulin secretion by reducing oxidative stress. Ins-1E cells were cholesterol-loaded by incubation with cholesterol-methyl-β-cyclodextrin. Insulin secretion in the presence of 2.8 or 25 mmol/L glucose was quantified by radioimmunoassay. Internalization of fluorescently labeled apoA-I by β-cells was monitored by flow cytometry. The effects of apoA-I internalization on β-cell gene expression were evaluated by RNA sequencing. ApoA-I-binding partners on the β-cell surface were identified by mass spectrometry. Mitochondrial oxidative stress was quantified in β-cells and isolated islets with MitoSOX and confocal microscopy. An F1-ATPase β-subunit on the β-cell surface was identified as the main apoA-I-binding partner. β-cell internalization of apoA-I was time-, concentration-, temperature-, cholesterol-, and F1-ATPase β-subunit-dependent. β-cells with internalized apoA-I (apoA-I+ cells) had higher cholesterol and cell surface F1-ATPase β-subunit levels than β-cells without internalized apoA-I (apoA-I- cells). The internalized apoA-I colocalized with mitochondria and was associated with reduced oxidative stress and increased insulin secretion. The IF1 (ATPase inhibitory factor 1) attenuated apoA-I internalization and increased oxidative stress in Ins-1E β-cells and isolated mouse islets. Differentially expressed genes in apoA-I+ and apoA-I- Ins-1E cells were related to protein synthesis, the unfolded protein response, insulin secretion, and mitochondrial function. These results establish that β-cells are functionally heterogeneous, and apoA-I restores insulin secretion in β-cells with elevated cholesterol levels by improving mitochondrial redox balance.

Astragalus polysaccharide restores insulin secretion impaired by lipopolysaccharides through the protein kinase B /mammalian target of rapamycin/glucose transporter 2 pathway

BackgroundLipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced dysfunction of pancreatic β-cells leads to impaired insulin (INS) secretion. Astragalus polysaccharide (APS) is a bioactive heteropolysaccharide extracted from Astragalus membranaceus and is a popular Chinese herbal medicine. This study aimed to elucidate the mechanisms by which APS affects INS secretion from β-cells under LPS stress.MethodsRat insulinoma (INS-1) cells were treated with LPS at a low, medium, or high concentration of APS. Glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) was evaluated using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Transcriptome sequencing was used to assess genome-wide gene expression. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis was used to determine the signaling pathways affected by APS. Quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was performed to evaluate the gene expression of glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2), glucokinase (GCK), pancreatic duodenal homeobox-1 (PDX-1), and INS. Western blot analysis was used to detect the protein expression of phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-Akt), total Akt (t-Akt), phosphorylated mammalian target of rapamycin (p-mTOR), total mTOR (t-mTOR), and GLUT2.ResultsLPS decreased GLUT2, GCK, PDX-1, and INS expression and reduced GSIS. These LPS-induced decreases in gene expression and GSIS were restored by APS treatment. In addition, transcriptome sequencing in combination with KEGG enrichment analysis revealed changes in the INS signaling pathway following APS treatment. LPS decreased p-Akt and p-mTOR expression, which was restored by APS treatment. The restorative effects of APS on GSIS as well as on the expression of GLUT2, GCK, PDX-1, and INS were abolished by treatment with the Akt inhibitor MK2206 or the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin (RPM).ConclusionsAPS restored GSIS in LPS-stimulated pancreatic β-cells by activating the Akt/mTOR/GLUT2 signaling pathway.

Complete remission of diabetes with a transient HDAC inhibitor and insulin in streptozotocin mice

Despite the growing epidemic worldwide, diabetes is an incurable disease. We have been focusing on why diabetes manifests refractoriness to any therapy. We recently found that abnormal bone marrow-derived cells (BMDCs), namely, Vcam-1+ST-HSCs, was a key mechanism for diabetic complications. We then hypothesize that those aberrant BMDCs sustainedly impair pancreatic β cells. Here we show that eliminating abnormal BMDCs using bone marrow transplantation results in controlling serum glucose in diabetic mice, in which normoglycemia is sustained even after cessation of insulin therapy. Alternatively, abnormal BMDCs exhibiting epigenetic alterations are treated with an HDAC inhibitor, givinostat, in diabetic mice. As a result, those mice are normoglycemic along with restored insulin secretion even following the cessation of both insulin and givinostat. Diabetic cell fusion between abnormal BMDCs and resident cells is significantly blocked by the combination therapy in the pancreatic islets and thymus while surgical ablation of the thymus completely eliminates therapeutic protection in diabetic mice. In conclusion, diabetes is an epigenetic stem cell disorder with thymic disturbances. The combination may be applied to patients aiming at complete remission from diabetes in clinical medicine.

TFP5 attenuates cyclin-dependent kinase 5-mediated islet β-cell damage in diabetes.

Islet β-cell damage and dysfunction represent the pathophysiological basis of diabetes. Excessive activation of cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (CDK5) is involved in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), although the exact mechanism remains unclear. Therefore, this study investigated the role of a CDK5 inhibitor (TFP5) in islet β-cell damage under diabetic conditions by regulating the expression of CDK5 in vitro and in vivo. CDK5 was upregulated under high glucose conditions in vivo and in vitro, which resulted in inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis of islet β-cells, thereby decreasing insulin secretion. However, TFP5 treatment inhibited the overexpression of CDK5; reduced the inflammatory response, oxidative stress, and apoptosis of islet β cells; and restored insulin secretion. In conclusion, CDK5 is involved in islet β-cell damage under high glucose conditions, and TFP5 may represent a promising candidate for the development of treatments for T2DM.

Cyb5r3-based mechanism and reversal of secondary failure to sulfonylurea in diabetes.

Sulfonylureas (SUs) are effective and affordable antidiabetic drugs. However, chronic use leads to secondary failure, limiting their utilization. Here, we identify cytochrome b5 reductase 3 (Cyb5r3) down-regulation as a mechanism of secondary SU failure and successfully reverse it. Chronic exposure to SU lowered Cyb5r3 abundance and reduced islet glucose utilization in mice in vivo and in ex vivo murine islets. Cyb5r3 β cell-specific knockout mice phenocopied SU failure. Cyb5r3 engaged in a glucose-dependent interaction that stabilizes glucokinase (Gck) to maintain glucose utilization. Hence, Gck activators can circumvent Cyb5r3-dependent SU failure. A Cyb5r3 activator rescued secondary SU failure in mice in vivo and restored insulin secretion in ex vivo human islets. We conclude that Cyb5r3 is a key factor in the secondary failure to SU and a potential target for its prevention, which might rehabilitate SU use in diabetes.

A new beta cell-specific mitophagy reporter mouse shows that metabolic stress leads to accumulation of dysfunctional mitochondria despite increased mitophagy.

Mitophagy, the selective autophagy of mitochondria, is essential for maintenance of mitochondrial function. Recent studies suggested that defective mitophagy in beta cells caused diabetes. However, because of technical difficulties, the development of a convenient and reliable method to evaluate mitophagy in beta cells in vivo is needed. The aim of this study was to establish beta cell-specific mitophagy reporter mice and elucidate the role of mitophagy in beta cell function under metabolically stressed conditions induced by a high-fat diet (HFD). Mitophagy was assessed using newly generated conditional mitochondrial matrix targeting mitophagy reporter (CMMR) mice, in which mitophagy can be visualised specifically in beta cells in vivo using a fluorescent probe sensitive to lysosomal pH and degradation. Metabolic stress was induced in mice by exposure to the HFD for 20 weeks. The accumulation of dysfunctional mitochondria was examined by staining for functional/total mitochondria and reactive oxygen species (ROS) using specific fluorescent dyes and antibodies. To investigate the molecular mechanism underlying mitophagy in beta cells, overexpression and knockdown experiments were performed. HFD-fed mice were examined to determine whether chronic insulin treatment for 6 weeks could ameliorate mitophagy, mitochondrial function and impaired insulin secretion. Exposure to the HFD increased the number of enlarged (HFD-G) islets with markedly elevated mitophagy. Mechanistically, HFD feeding induced severe hypoxia in HFD-G islets, which upregulated mitophagy through the hypoxia-inducible factor 1-ɑ (Hif-1ɑ)/BCL2 interacting protein 3 (BNIP3) axis in beta cells. However, HFD-G islets unexpectedly showed the accumulation of dysfunctional mitochondria due to excessive ROS production, suggesting an insufficient capacity of mitophagy for the degradation of dysfunctional mitochondria. Chronic administration of insulin ameliorated hypoxia and reduced ROS production and dysfunctional mitochondria, leading to decreased mitophagy and restored insulin secretion. We demonstrated that CMMR mice enabled the evaluation of mitophagy in beta cells. Our results suggested that metabolic stress induced by the HFD caused the aberrant accumulation of dysfunctional mitochondria, which overwhelmed the mitophagic capacity and was associated with defective maintenance of mitochondrial function and impaired insulin secretion.

G protein–coupled receptor kinase 6 (GRK6) regulates insulin processing and secretion via effects on proinsulin conversion to insulin

Recent studies identified a missense mutation in the gene coding for G protein–coupled receptor kinase 6 (GRK6) that segregates with type 2 diabetes (T2D). To better understand how GRK6 might be involved in T2D, we used pharmacological inhibition and genetic knockdown in the mouse β-cell line, MIN6, to determine whether GRK6 regulates insulin dynamics. We show inhibition of GRK5 and GRK6 increased insulin secretion but reduced insulin processing while GRK6 knockdown revealed these same processing defects with reduced levels of cellular insulin. GRK6 knockdown cells also had attenuated insulin secretion but enhanced proinsulin secretion consistent with decreased processing. In support of these findings, we demonstrate GRK6 rescue experiments in knockdown cells restored insulin secretion after glucose treatment. The altered insulin profile appears to be caused by changes in the proprotein convertases, the enzymes responsible for proinsulin to insulin conversion, as GRK6 knockdown resulted in significantly reduced convertase expression and activity. To identify how the GRK6-P384S mutation found in T2D patients might affect insulin processing, we performed biochemical and cell biological assays to study the properties of the mutant. We found that while GRK6-P384S was more active than WT GRK6, it displayed a cytosolic distribution in cells compared to the normal plasma membrane localization of GRK6. Additionally, GRK6 overexpression in MIN6 cells enhanced proinsulin processing, while GRK6-P384S expression had little effect. Taken together, our data show that GRK6 regulates insulin processing and secretion in a glucose-dependent manner and provide a foundation for understanding the contribution of GRK6 to T2D.

Reduced calcium levels and accumulation of abnormal insulin granules in stem cell models of HNF1A deficiency

Mutations in HNF1A cause Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young (HNF1A-MODY). To understand mechanisms of β-cell dysfunction, we generated stem cell-derived pancreatic endocrine cells with hypomorphic mutations in HNF1A. HNF1A-deficient β-cells display impaired basal and glucose stimulated-insulin secretion, reduced intracellular calcium levels in association with a reduction in CACNA1A expression, and accumulation of abnormal insulin granules in association with SYT13 down-regulation. Knockout of CACNA1A and SYT13 reproduce the relevant phenotypes. In HNF1A deficient β-cells, glibenclamide, a sulfonylurea drug used in the treatment of HNF1A-MODY patients, increases intracellular calcium, and restores insulin secretion. While insulin secretion defects are constitutive in β-cells null for HNF1A, β-cells heterozygous for hypomorphic HNF1A (R200Q) mutations lose the ability to secrete insulin gradually; this phenotype is prevented by correction of the mutation. Our studies illuminate the molecular basis for the efficacy of treatment of HNF1A-MODY with sulfonylureas, and suggest promise for the use of cell therapies.

G Protein‐Coupled Receptor Kinase 6 (GRK6) Regulation of Insulin Processing and Secretion

We performed exome sequencing in Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) patients belonging to a T2D family containing two affected and five unaffected individuals revealing an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern. A mutation in the GRK6 gene, coding for G protein‐coupled receptor kinase 6, was identified that segregates with the phenotype. GRK6 belongs to a family of serine/threonine kinases that phosphorylate agonist occupied G protein‐coupled receptors effectively modulating downstream signaling pathways including those involved in metabolism. These receptors like the Glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor play a critical role in the regulation of insulin processing and secretion and are the target of several approved therapeutics. Therefore, we wanted to determine if GRK6 regulates insulin dynamics potentially contributing to T2D. To start, we performed biochemical assays to unveil the properties of the novel GRK6 mutant. The GRK6 mutant was able to phosphorylate all substrates more effectively than wild type GRK6 but displayed a cytosolic distribution not expected for GRK6. We then utilized pharmacological inhibition and genetic knockdown of GRK6 in MIN6 cells to determine how removal of GRK6 impacts insulin levels after glucose treatment. In MIN6 cells, small molecule inhibition of GRK6 increased insulin secretion but reduced insulin processing. GRK6 knockdown revealed these same processing defects as GRK6 suppression in knockdown cell lines had reduced levels of cellular insulin. Furthermore, these cell lines had attenuated insulin secretion but enhanced proinsulin secretion consistent with decreased processing and the patient phenotype. The altered insulin profile appears to be caused by changes in the proprotein convertases, the enzymes responsible for proinsulin to insulin conversion, as pharmacological inhibition and knockdown resulted in less expression and activity of these enzymes. To support this, we performed rescue experiments where GRK6 re‐expression in knockdown cells restored insulin secretion after glucose treatment. Taken together, our data show that GRK6 regulates insulin processing and secretion in a glucose dependent manner and provides a foundation for the contribution of GRK6 to T2D.

BACH2 inhibition reverses β cell failure in type 2 diabetes models.

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is associated with defective insulin secretion and reduced β cell mass. Available treatments provide a temporary reprieve, but secondary failure rates are high, making insulin supplementation necessary. Reversibility of β cell failure is a key translational question. Here, we reverse engineered and interrogated pancreatic islet-specific regulatory networks to discover T2D-specific subpopulations characterized by metabolic inflexibility and endocrine progenitor/stem cell features. Single-cell gain- and loss-of-function and glucose-induced Ca2+ flux analyses of top candidate master regulatory (MR) proteins in islet cells validated transcription factor BACH2 and associated epigenetic effectors as key drivers of T2D cell states. BACH2 knockout in T2D islets reversed cellular features of the disease, restoring a nondiabetic phenotype. BACH2-immunoreactive islet cells increased approximately 4-fold in diabetic patients, confirming the algorithmic prediction of clinically relevant subpopulations. Treatment with a BACH inhibitor lowered glycemia and increased plasma insulin levels in diabetic mice, and restored insulin secretion in diabetic mice and human islets. The findings suggest that T2D-specific populations of failing β cells can be reversed and indicate pathways for pharmacological intervention, including via BACH2 inhibition.

The cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor Roscovitine prevents diet-induced metabolic disruption in obese mice

Most strategies to treat obesity-related disorders have involved prevention of diet-induced weight gain in lean mice. Treatment of obese individuals will require therapies that reverse the detrimental effects of excess body weight. Cyclin-dependent kinases have been shown to contribute to obesity and its adverse complications. Here, we show that roscovitine; a an orally available cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor; given to male mice during the last six weeks of a 19-week high fat diet, reduced weight gain and prevented accompanying insulin resistance, hepatic steatosis, visceral adipose tissue (eWAT) inflammation/fibrosis as well as restored insulin secretion and enhanced whole body energy expenditure. Proteomics and phosphoproteomics analysis of eWAT demonstrated that roscovitine suppressed expression of peptides and phosphopeptides linked to inflammation and extracellular matrix proteins. It also identified 17 putative protein kinases perturbed by roscovitine, including CMGC kinases, AGC kinases and CAMK kinases. Pathway enrichment analysis showed that lipid metabolism, TCA cycle, fatty acid beta oxidation and creatine biosynthesis are enriched following roscovitine treatment. For brown adipose tissue (BAT), analysis of upstream kinases controlling the phosphoproteome revealed two major kinase groups, AGC and CMGC kinases. Among the top enriched pathways were insulin signaling, regulation of lipolysis in adipocytes, thyroid hormone signaling, thermogenesis and cAMP-PKG signaling. We conclude that roscovitine is effective at preventing prolonged diet-induced metabolic disruption and restoring mitochondrial activity in BAT and eWAT.

Abstract 122: The Anti-Oxidant Function Of Apolipoprotein A-I Rescues Pancreatic β-Cells From Cholesterol-Induced Mitochondrial Dysfunction

Introduction: Apolipoprotein (apo) A-I, the main apolipoprotein constituent of high-density lipoproteins, increases glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) and is internalised by β-cells. Cholesterol accumulation in β-cells causes oxidative stress, reduces islet mass and decreases GSIS. ApoA-I increases GSIS in β-cells with high cholesterol levels, but it is not known if this is dependent on apoA-I internalisation. Hypothesis: Internalised apoA-I increases GSIS in β-cells with high cholesterol levels by lowering oxidative stress. Methods: Cholesterol-loaded Ins-1E insulinoma cells were incubated with unlabelled and/or Alexa Fluor488-labelled apoA-I. Alexa488-labelled apoA-I internalisation was quantified by flow cytometry and its intracellular location was determined by confocal microscopy and western blotting. ApoA-I binding partners on the Ins-1E surface were identified by mass spectroscopy. Generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in mitochondria was measured using MitoSOX. Results: ApoA-I was internalised by 43.4±3.6% of the Ins-1E cells (apoA-I + cells) in a dose-, time-, temperature- and cholesterol-dependent manner. ApoA-I internalisation was comparable under basal (2.8 mM) and high (25 mM) glucose conditions and mediated by an F 1 -ATPase β-subunit on the Ins-1E cell surface. Cell surface F 1 -ATPase β-subunit and cholesterol levels in apoA-I + Ins-1E cells were 1.7±0.3- and 1.3±0.1-fold higher, respectively, than in Ins-1E cells without internalised apoA-I (apoA-I - cells). Differentially expressed genes in the apoA-I + and apoA-I - Ins-1E cells were related to protein synthesis, the ER stress-related unfolded protein response, insulin secretion and mitochondrial function. Internalised apoA-I localised to mitochondria, lowered the cholesterol-mediated increase in ROS levels, and improved insulin secretion in cholesterol-loaded Ins-1E cells. The ATPase inhibitory factor 1, IF 1 , inhibited apoA-I internalisation and attenuated the apoA-I-mediated decrease of ROS levels in Ins-1E cells and isolated mouse islets. Conclusions: These results establish that internalised apoA-I restores insulin secretion in β-cells with high cholesterol levels by improving mitochondrial redox balance.

1248-P: Histone Deacetylase Inhibition Improves Store-Operated Calcium Entry and Glucose-Stimulated Insulin Secretion in Cytokine-Stressed Pancreatic ß-Cells

Store-operated calcium entry (SOCE) functions to refill endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca2+ stores in response to ER Ca2+ depletion through gating of plasmalemmal Orai channels by the ER Ca2+ sensor STIM1. Dysfunctional β cell SOCE has been observed in response to cytokine-mediated stress, whereas select histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors are able to protect against cytokine-mediated β cell death and have been shown to improve glucose homeostasis in diabetic mice. Here, we tested the relationship between HDAC inhibition and SOCE in the pancreatic β cell. To this end, we investigated the effects of the HDAC inhibitor sodium butyrate (NaB) on Ca2+ signaling, insulin secretion, and gene expression in cytokine-treated mouse islets, human islets, and STIM1 knockout (KO) 832/13 INS-1 β cells. In mouse islets treated with IL-1β, IFN-γ and TNF-⍺, NaB increased glucose-induced phase Ca2+ responses and restored Ca2+ oscillations. In IL-1β-treated INS-1 β cells, NaB rescued SOCE and ER Ca2+ store depletion, and increased glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS), while additionally improving cell viability and reducing apoptosis. Chronic (24hrs) but not acute (8hrs) NaB treatment prevented IL-1β-mediated reduction in the SOCE response, suggesting changes in gene expression may underlie these effects. To test this, RT-qPCR for SOCE molecular components was performed and revealed increased STIM1 expression in cytokine-treated mouse islets and INS-1 cells, while no change was observed in Orai1/2 levels. Consistent with these results, NaB was unable to restore SOCE in IL-1β-treated STIM1 KO INS-1 cells. Lastly, NaB treatment in human islets from donors with type 2 diabetes significantly increased levels of GSIS. Taken together, these data suggest that HDAC inhibition restores insulin secretion under pro-inflammatory conditions through improved SOCE and STIM1 upregulation. Disclosure C. Lee: None. T. Kono: None. S. A. Weaver: None. P. Sohn: None. C. Evans-molina: Advisory Panel; Self; Provention Bio, Inc., Consultant; Self; Dompe, Other Relationship; Self; Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Nimbus Pharmaceuticals, Pfizer Inc.

Blocking TLR4-NF-κB pathway protects mouse islets from the combinatorial impact of high fat and fetuin-A mediated dysfunction and restores ability for insulin secretion

Lipid mediated pancreatic β-cell dysfunction during Type 2 diabetes is known to be regulated by activation of TLR4 (Toll Like Receptor 4) and NF-κB (Nuclear factor kappa B). Recently we have reported that MIN6 cells (mouse insulinoma cells) secrete fetuin-A on stimulation by palmitate that aggravates β-cell dysfunction, but the mechanism involved in-vivo has not been demonstrated and thus remained unclear. Here we attempted to dissect the role of palmitate and fetuin-A on insulin secretion using high fat diet (HFD) fed mice model. HFD islets showed curtailed insulin secretion after 20 weeks of treatment with activated TLR4-NF-κB pathway. Further treatment of islets with palmitate raised fetuin-A expression by ~2.8 folds and cut down insulin secretion by ~1.4 folds. However, blocking the activity of TLR4, fetuin-A and NF-κB using specific inhibitors or siRNAs not only restored insulin secretion by ~2 folds in standard diet fed mice islets and MIN6 cells but also evoke insulin secretory ability by ~2.3 folds in HFD islets. Altogether this study demonstrated that blocking TLR4, fetuin-A and NF-κB protect pancreatic β-cells from the negative effects of free fatty acid and fetuin-A and restore insulin secretion.

Butanol fraction of Alstonia boonei De Wild. leaves ameliorate oxidative stress and modulate key hypoglycaemic processes in diabetic rats

Objective The effect of Alstonia boonei fractions on glucose homeostasis was investigated via in vitro enzyme inhibition activity, ex vivo glucose uptake assay, and in vivo methods in diabetic rats. Methodology A. boonei fractions were subjected to in vitro α-glucosidase inhibitory assay and then ex vivo glucose uptake activity. The butanol fraction of the leaves (ABBF) was picked for the in vivo assay since it showed more activity in the initial tests conducted. ABBF was administrated via oral dosing to six-weeks old fructose-fed STZ-induced type 2 diabetic rats over a 5-week experimental period. Results ABBF treatment at a low dose of 150 mg/kg bw, significantly (p < .05) reduced blood glucose level, enhanced oral glucose tolerance ability, restored insulin secretion and hepatic glycogen synthesis as well as promoted islet regeneration than the high dose (300 mg/kg bw). Conclusion These results suggest that ABBF could be exploited as a therapeutic potential for treating T2D.

The ARFRP1-dependent Golgi scaffolding protein GOPC is required for insulin secretion from pancreatic β-cells

ObjectiveHormone secretion from metabolically active tissues, such as pancreatic islets, is governed by specific and highly regulated signaling pathways. Defects in insulin secretion are among the major causes of diabetes. The molecular mechanisms underlying regulated insulin secretion are, however, not yet completely understood. In this work, we studied the role of the GTPase ARFRP1 on insulin secretion from pancreatic β-cells. MethodsA β-cell-specific Arfrp1 knockout mouse was phenotypically characterized. Pulldown experiments and mass spectrometry analysis were employed to screen for new ARFRP1-interacting proteins. Co-immunoprecipitation assays as well as super-resolution microscopy were applied for validation. ResultsThe GTPase ARFRP1 interacts with the Golgi-associated PDZ and coiled-coil motif-containing protein (GOPC). Both proteins are co-localized at the trans-Golgi network and regulate the first and second phase of insulin secretion by controlling the plasma membrane localization of the SNARE protein SNAP25. Downregulation of both GOPC and ARFRP1 in Min6 cells interferes with the plasma membrane localization of SNAP25 and enhances its degradation, thereby impairing glucose-stimulated insulin release from β-cells. In turn, overexpression of SNAP25 as well as GOPC restores insulin secretion in islets from β-cell-specific Arfrp1 knockout mice. ConclusionOur results identify a hitherto unrecognized pathway required for insulin secretion at the level of trans-Golgi sorting.

Hyperoside from Z. bungeanum leaves restores insulin secretion and mitochondrial function by regulating pancreatic cellular redox status in diabetic mice

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is characterized by peripheral insulin resistance and insufficient insulin secretion caused by pancreatic β-cell dysfunction. Excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and activation of caspases in mitochondria inhibit insulin secretion and promote apoptosis of pancreatic β-cells. Studies have demonstrated that positive correlation between the consumption of flavonoid-rich diets and diabetes prevention. Zanthoxylum bungeanum leaves have been used as food for a long time and are rich in flavonoids with strong radical scavenging abilities. We and others have identified hyperoside as the major bioactive component of total flavonoids exacted from Zanthoxylum bungeanum leaves. We hypothesize that hyperoside from Z. bungeanum leaves (HZL) may prevent T2DM by inhibiting excessive ROS formation and reducing pancreatic β-cells apoptosis. In current study, HZL was administered to high fat diet and alloxan-induced diabetic mice, and appeared to significantly ameliorate the damage of glucose metabolism and insulin secretion as well as restore the structural integrity of pancreas, and inhibit β-cell apoptosis. Pancreatic antioxidant enzyme activities were also restored by HZL supplementation. In cultured MIN6 cells, which produce and secret insulin, HZL treatment restored insulin secretion through inhibiting the expression of TXNIP and lowering intracellular calcium concentration. These observations mechanistically linked the beneficial effects of HZL with the regulation on cellular redox status and mitochondrial function. Taken together, our findings suggest that HZL has protective effect on pancreatic β-cell function and may be a beneficial nutritional supplementation for prevention and adjuvant therapy of T2DM.

Hepatic Levels of DHA-Containing Phospholipids Instruct SREBP1-Mediated Synthesis and Systemic Delivery of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids.

SummaryPolyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (ARA), play fundamental roles in mammalian physiology. Although PUFA imbalance causes various disorders, mechanisms of the regulation of their systemic levels are poorly understood. Here, we report that hepatic DHA-containing phospholipids (DHA-PLs) determine the systemic levels of PUFAs through the SREBP1-mediated transcriptional program. We demonstrated that liver-specific deletion of Agpat3 leads to a decrease of DHA-PLs and a compensatory increase of ARA-PLs not only in the liver but also in other tissues including the brain. Together with recent findings that plasma lysophosphatidylcholine (lysoPC) is the major source of brain DHA, our results indicate that hepatic AGPAT3 contributes to brain DHA accumulation by supplying DHA-PLs as precursors of DHA-lysoPC. Furthermore, dietary fish oil-mediated suppression of hepatic PUFA biosynthetic program was blunted in liver-specific Agpat3 deletion. Our findings highlight the central role of hepatic DHA-PLs as the molecular rheostat for systemic homeostasis of PUFAs.

Toxicity reduction of human islet amyloid polypeptide by Trim-Away technique in insulinoma cells

Human islet amyloid polypeptide (hIAPP, also known as amylin) is a co-secreting protein of insulin in human pancreatic β-cells. It is encapsulated in vesicles and secreted out of the cells with insulin. hIAPP can promote insulin secretion and regulate blood glucose homeostasis in the body under the normal physiological conditions. However, hIAPP misfolding or excessive accumulation can cause toxic effects on the β cells, which in turn affect cell function, resulting in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) for the affected individuals. In order to eliminate the excessive accumulation of hIAPP in the cell and to maintain its normal synthetic function, we have adopted a new protein degradation technology called Trim-Away, which can degrade the target protein in a short time without affecting the mRNA transcription and translation synthesis function of the target protein. First, we overexpressed hIAPP in the rat insulinoma cells (INS1) to simulate its excessive accumulation and analyzed its effect in INS1 cells by measuring the release of LDH (lactate dehydrogenase), CCK8 activity and PI-Annexin V positive ratio. Results showed that excessive accumulation of hIAPP caused β cell apoptosis. Second, real-time quantitative PCR analysis and ELISA detection showed that the synthesis and secretion of insulin were hindered. We used Trim-Way technology to specifically eliminate the excessive accumulation of hIAPP protein in hIAPP overexpressing INS1 cells. Cell activity experiments confirmed that clearance of hIAPP reduced the cell death phenotype. Further ELISA experiments confirmed that INS1 cells restored insulin secretion ability. This study examined the toxic effect of hIAPP excessive accumulation in INS1 cells and demonstrated the cytotoxicity clearance effect of Trim-Way technology in pancreatic β-cells. Our research has provided a new strategy for using Trim-Away technology for treatment of diabetes.

2074-P: Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors Improve Store-Operated Calcium Entry and Glucose-Stimulated Insulin Secretion in Cytokine-Stressed Pancreatic ß-Cells

Store-operated calcium entry (SOCE) is a mechanism that functions to refill endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca2+ stores in response to ER Ca2+ depletion, through gating of plasmallemal Ora channels by the ER Ca2+ sensor STIM1. Dysfunctional β cell SOCE has been observed in response to cytokine-mediated stress and in models of diabetes. To identify compounds capable of modulating SOCE, a screening was performed in INS-1 cells treated with interleukin-1β (IL-1β). Two HDAC inhibitors (HDACi), sodium butyrate (NaB) and MS275, rescued SOCE in a dose-dependent manner in IL-1β-treated INS-1 cells. While dysregulation of HDACs has been linked with metabolic disease, the relationship between HDACs and SOCE has not been tested in the pancreatic β cell. To this end, we explored the effect of HDACi on Ca2+ signaling, insulin secretion, and gene expression in cytokine-treated islets and β cells. In mouse islets treated with IL-1 β and interferon-𝛾;, NaB and MS275 increased first phase Ca2+ responses in response to glucose, while NaB restored glucose-induced Ca2+ oscillations. Consistent with this, NaB, but not MS275, restored GSIS in IL-1β-treated INS-1 cells and in human islets from donors with type 2 diabetes. Chronic (24 hrs) but not acute (8 hrs) HDACi treatment restored cytokine-mediated reductions in SOCE, raising the possibility that changes in gene expression may underlie these effects. To test this, qRT-PCR for SOCE molecular components was performed. Both NaB and MS275 restored STIM1 expression but had no effect on Orai1, Orai2 and Orai3 levels. Consistent with this, HDACi were unable to restore SOCE in IL-1β-treated STIM1 knockout INS-1 cells. Taken together, these data suggest that HDAC inhibition restores insulin secretion under pro-inflammatory conditions through improved SOCE and upregulated STIM1 expression. Thus, our findings identify a novel pathway through which HDAC inhibition exerts protective effects in the diabetic β cell. Disclosure C. Lee: None. T. Kono: None. S.A. Weaver: None. P. Sohn: None. C. Evans-Molina: Consultant; Self; Bristol-Myers Squibb. Funding National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (2R01DK093954)