Islet Secretion Research Articles

Heterogeneous expression of CFTR in insulin-secreting β-cells of the normal human islet.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is due to mutations in the CF-transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) and CF-related diabetes (CFRD) is its most common co-morbidity, affecting ~50% of all CF patients, significantly influencing pulmonary function and longevity. Yet, the complex pathogenesis of CFRD remains unclear. Two non-mutually exclusive underlying mechanisms have been proposed in CFRD: i) damage of the endocrine cells secondary to the severe exocrine pancreatic pathology and ii) intrinsic β-cell impairment of the secretory response in combination with other factors. The later has proven difficult to determine due to low expression of CFTR in β-cells, which results in the general perception that this Cl−channel does not participate in the modulation of insulin secretion or the development of CFRD. The objective of the present work is to demonstrate CFTR expression at the molecular and functional levels in insulin-secreting β-cells in normal human islets, where it seems to play a role. Towards this end, we have used immunofluorescence confocal and immunofluorescence microscopy, immunohistochemistry, RT-qPCR, Western blotting, pharmacology, electrophysiology and insulin secretory studies in normal human, rat and mouse islets. Our results demonstrate heterogeneous CFTR expression in human, mouse and rat β-cells and provide evidence that pharmacological inhibition of CFTR influences basal and stimulated insulin secretion in normal mouse islets but not in islets lacking this channel, despite being detected by electrophysiological means in ~30% of β-cells. Therefore, our results demonstrate a potential role for CFTR in the pancreatic β-cell secretory response suggesting that intrinsic β-cell dysfunction may also participate in the pathogenesis of CFRD.

ARHGAP21 Acts as an Inhibitor of the Glucose-Stimulated Insulin Secretion Process.

ARHGAP21 is a RhoGAP protein implicated in the modulation of insulin secretion and energy metabolism. ARHGAP21 transient-inhibition increase glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) in neonatal islets; however, ARHGAP21 heterozygote mice have a reduced insulin secretion. These discrepancies are not totally understood, and it might be related to functional maturation of beta cells and peripheral sensitivity. Here, we investigated the real ARHGAP21 role in the insulin secretion process using an adult mouse model of acute ARHGAP21 inhibition, induced by antisense. After ARHGAP21 knockdown induction by antisense injection in 60-day old male mice, we investigated glucose and insulin tolerance test, glucose-induced insulin secretion, glucose-induced intracellular calcium dynamics, and gene expression. Our results showed that ARHGAP21 acts negatively in the GSIS of adult islet. This effect seems to be due to the modulation of important points of insulin secretion process, such as the energy metabolism (PGC1α), Ca2+ signalization (SYTVII), granule-extrusion (SNAP25), and cell-cell interaction (CX36). Therefore, based on these finds, ARHGAP21 may be an important target in Diabetes Mellitus (DM) treatment.

Preferential Gq signaling in diabetes: an electrical switch in incretin action and in diabetes progression?

Patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) fail to secrete insulin in response to increased glucose levels that occur with eating. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) are two incretins secreted from gastrointestinal cells that amplify insulin secretion when glucose is high. In this issue of the JCI, Oduori et al. explore the role of ATP-sensitive K+ (KATP) channels in maintaining glucose homeostasis. In persistently depolarized β cells from KATP channel knockout (KO) mice, the researchers revealed a shift in G protein signaling from the Gs family to the Gq family. This shift explains why GLP-1, which signals via Gq, but not GIP, which signals preferentially via Gs, can effectively potentiate secretion in islets from the KATP channel-deficient mice and in other models of KATP deficiency, including diabetic KK-Ay mice. Their results provide one explanation for differential insulinotropic potential of incretins in human T2D and point to a potentially unifying model for T2D progression itself.

Insulin secretion decline in Walker-256 tumor-bearing rats is early, follows the course of cachexia, and is not improved by lixisenatide.

Lixisenatide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, is used to stimulate insulin secretion in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, its effect on insulin secretion in cancer patients, particularly during the cachexia course, has not yet been evaluated. The purpose of this study was to investigate the lixisenatide effect on INS secretion decline during the cachexia course (2, 6, and 12 days of tumor) in pancreatic islets isolated from Walker-256 tumor-bearing rats. Pancreatic islets of healthy and tumor-bearing rats were incubated in the presence or absence of lixisenatide (10 nM). Tumor-bearing rats showed reduction of body weight and fat and muscle mass, characterizing the development of cachexia, as well as reduction of insulinemia and INS secretion stimulated by glucose (5.6, 8.3, 11.1, 16.7, and 20 mM) on days 2, 6, and/or 12 of tumor. Lixisenatide increased the 16.7 mM glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, but not by 5.6 mM glucose, in the islets of healthy rats, without changing the insulin intracellular content. However, lixisenatide did not prevent the decreased 16.7 mM glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in the pancreatic islets of rats with 2, 6, and 12 days of tumor and neither the decreased insulin intracellular content of rats with 12 days of tumor. In consistency, in vivo treatment with lixisenatide (50 μg kg-1, SC, once daily, for 6 days) visually increased insulinemia of healthy fasted rats, but did not prevent hypoinsulinemia of tumor-bearing rats. In conclusion, Walker-256 tumor-bearing rats showed early decline (2 days of tumor) of insulin secretion, which followed the cachexia course (6 and 12 days of tumor) and was not improved by lixisenatide, evidencing that this insulin secretagogue, used to treat type 2 diabetes, does not have beneficial effect in cancer bearing-rats.

The adaptor protein APPL2 controls glucose-stimulated insulin secretion via F-actin remodeling in pancreatic β-cells

Filamentous actin (F-actin) cytoskeletal remodeling is critical for glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) in pancreatic β-cells, and its dysregulation causes type 2 diabetes. The adaptor protein APPL1 promotes first-phase GSIS by up-regulating soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) protein expression. However, whether APPL2 (a close homology of APPL1 with the same domain organization) plays a role in β-cell functions is unknown. Here, we show that APPL2 enhances GSIS by promoting F-actin remodeling via the small GTPase Rac1 in pancreatic β-cells. β-cell specific abrogation of APPL2 impaired GSIS, leading to glucose intolerance in mice. APPL2 deficiency largely abolished glucose-induced first- and second-phase insulin secretion in pancreatic islets. Real-time live-cell imaging and phalloidin staining revealed that APPL2 deficiency abolished glucose-induced F-actin depolymerization in pancreatic islets. Likewise, knockdown of APPL2 expression impaired glucose-stimulated F-actin depolymerization and subsequent insulin secretion in INS-1E cells, which were attributable to the impairment of Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (Rac1) activation. Treatment with the F-actin depolymerization chemical compounds or overexpression of gelsolin (a F-actin remodeling protein) rescued APPL2 deficiency-induced defective GSIS. In addition, APPL2 interacted with Rac GTPase activating protein 1 (RacGAP1) in a glucose-dependent manner via the bin/amphiphysin/rvs-pleckstrin homology (BAR-PH) domain of APPL2 in INS-1E cells and HEK293 cells. Concomitant knockdown of RacGAP1 expression reverted APPL2 deficiency-induced defective GSIS, F-actin remodeling, and Rac1 activation in INS-1E cells. Our data indicate that APPL2 interacts with RacGAP1 and suppresses its negative action on Rac1 activity and F-actin depolymerization thereby enhancing GSIS in pancreatic β-cells.

Paracrine and autocrine control of insulin secretion in human islets: evidence and pending questions.

Insulin secretion by β-cells is largely controlled by circulating nutrients, hormones, and neurotransmitters. However, recent years have witnessed the multiplication of studies investigating whether local regulation also takes place within pancreatic islets, in which β-cells cohabit with several other cell types. The cell composition and architectural organization of human islets differ from those of rodent islets and are particularly favorable to cellular interactions. An impressive number of hormonal (glucagon, glucagon-like peptide-1, somatostatin, etc.) and nonhormonal products (ATP, acetylcholine, γ-aminobutyric acid, dopamine, etc.) are released by islet cells and have been implicated in a local control of insulin secretion. This review analyzes reports directly testing paracrine and autocrine control of insulin secretion in isolated human islets. Many of these studies were designed on background information collected in rodent islets. However, the perspective of the review is not to highlight species similarities or specificities but to contrast established and speculative mechanisms in human islets. It will be shown that the current evidence is convincing only for a minority of candidates for a paracrine function whereas arguments supporting a physiological role of others do not stand up to scrutiny. Several pending questions await further investigation.

Oxidative stress in pancreatic alpha and beta cells as a selection criterion for biocompatible biomaterials

The clinical success rate of islet transplantation, namely independence from insulin injections, is limited by factors that lead to graft failure, including inflammation, acute ischemia, acute phase response, and insufficient vascularization. The ischemia and insufficient vascularization both lead to high levels of oxidative stress, which are further aggravated by islet encapsulation, inflammation, and undesirable cell-biomaterial interactions. To identify biomaterials that would not further increase damaging oxidative stress levels and that are also suitable for manufacturing a beta cell encapsulation device, we studied five clinically approved polymers for their effect on oxidative stress and islet (alpha and beta cell) function. We found that 300 poly(ethylene oxide terephthalate) 55/poly(butylene terephthalate) 45 (PEOT/PBT300) was more resistant to breakage and more elastic than other biomaterials, which is important for its immunoprotective function. In addition, it did not induce oxidative stress or reduce viability in the MIN6 beta cell line, and even promoted protective endogenous antioxidant expression over 7 days. Importantly, PEOT/PBT300 is one of the biomaterials we studied that did not interfere with insulin secretion in human islets.

Gestational diabetes adversely affects pancreatic islet architecture and function in the male rat offspring

Fetal exposure to gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and poor postnatal diet are strong risk factors for type 2 diabetes development later in life, but the mechanisms connecting GDM exposure to offspring metabolic health remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to determine how GDM interacts with the postnatal diet to affect islet function in the offspring as well as characterize the gene expression changes in the islets. GDM was induced in female rats using a high-fat, high-sucrose (HFS) diet, and litters from lean or GDM dams were weaned onto a low-fat (LF) or HFS diet. Compared with the lean control offspring, GDM exposure reduced glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in islets isolated from 15-week-old offspring, which was additively worsened when GDM exposure was combined with postnatal HFS diet consumption. In the HFS diet-fed offspring of lean dams, islet size and number increased, an adaptation that was not observed in the HFS diet-fed offspring of GDM dams. Islet gene expression in the offspring of GDM dams was altered in such categories as inflammation (e.g., Il1b, Ccl2), mitochondrial function/oxidative stress resistance (e.g., Atp5f1, Sod2), and ribosomal proteins (e.g., Rps6, Rps14). These results demonstrate that GDM exposure induced marked changes in gene expression in the male young adult rat offspring that cumulatively interact to worsen islet function, whole-body glucose homeostasis, and adaptations to HFS diets.

The phosphorylation of hCDC14A modulated by ZIPK regulates autophagy of murine pancreatic islet β-TC3 cells upon glucose stimulation.

Depletion of islet β cells plays a crucial role in the onset of diabetes mellitus. Cell autophagy, as a self-healing process, contributes to maintaining metabolic homeostasis and can protect islet β cells from apoptosis upon starvation or high glucose stress. However, the underlying regulatory network of the autophagic process in islet β cells has not been fully explored. Murine β-TC3 cells treated with different concentrations of glucose, and wild-type or the Ser484 mutant human cell division cycle gene 14A (hCDC14A) was transfected. Cell viability, proliferation and autophagy as well as islet secretion were studied. The mTOR and AMPK signaling pathways were investigated by western blots. Zipper-interacting protein kinase was studied using mass spectrometry and immunoprecipitation. Overexpression of wild-type hCDC14A, but not the Ser484 mutant hCDC14A, promoted cell viability, proliferation and autophagy accompanied by enhanced islet secretion and reduced cell apoptosis via mTOR pathway inhibition as well AMPK pathway activation in β-TC3 cells and vice versa. Furthermore, Zipper-interacting protein kinase (ZIPK), also known as DAPK3, was found to interact with hCDC14A primarily for Ser484 phosphorylation, and ZIPK knockdown could affect the phosphorylation of hCDC14A and weaken cell death or cell cycle modulation. Taken together, our results may provide new insight into the role of hCDC14A in the autophagy of islet β cells and suggest the potential therapeutic value of hCDC14A phosphorylation in the prevention and treatment of diabetes.

Development of Nonpeptidic Inverse Agonists of the Ghrelin Receptor (GHSR) Based on the 1,2,4-Triazole Scaffold.

GHSR controls, among others, growth hormone and insulin secretion, adiposity, feeding, and glucose metabolism. Therefore, an inverse agonist ligand capable of selectively targeting GHSR and reducing its high constitutive activity appears to be a good candidate for the treatment of obesity-related metabolic diseases. In this context, we present a study that led to the development of several highly potent and selective inverse agonists of GHSR based on the 1,2,4-triazole scaffold. We demonstrate that, depending on the nature of the substituents on positions 3, 4, and 5, this scaffold leads to ligands that exert an intrinsic inverse agonist activity on GHSR-catalyzed G protein activation through the stabilization of a specific inactive receptor conformation. Thanks to an in vivo evaluation, we also show that one of the most promising ligands not only exerts an effect on insulin secretion in rat pancreatic islets but also affects the orexigenic effects of ghrelin in mice.

GPR120 Regulates Pancreatic Polypeptide Secretion From Male Mouse Islets via PLC-Mediated Calcium Mobilization.

The free fatty acid receptor G protein-coupled receptor 120 (GPR120) is expressed in pancreatic islets, but its specific cell distribution and function have not been fully established. In this study, a GPR120-IRES-EGFP knockin (KI) mouse was generated to identify GPR120-expressing cells with enhanced green fluorescence proteins (EGFP). EGFP-positive cells collected from KI mouse islets by flow cytometry had a significantly higher expression of pancreatic polypeptide (PP) evidenced by reverse transcriptase (RT)-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Single-cell RT-PCR and immunocytochemical double staining also demonstrated the coexpression of GPR120 with PP in mouse islets. The GPR120-specific agonist TUG-891 significantly increased plasma PP levels in mice. TUG-891 significantly increased PP levels in islet medium in vitro, which was markedly attenuated by GPR120 small interfering RNA treatment. TUG-891-stimulated PP secretion in islets was fully blocked by pretreatment with YM-254890 (a Gq protein inhibitor), U73122 (a phospholipase C inhibitor), or thapsigargin (an inducer of endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ depletion), respectively. TUG-891 triggered the increase in intracellular free Ca2+ concentrations ([Ca2+]i) in PP cells, which was also eliminated by YM-254890, U73122, or thapsigargin. GPR120 gene expression was significantly reduced in islets of high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice. TUG-891-stimulated PP secretion was also significantly diminished in vivo and in vitro in HFD-induced obese mice compared with that in normal-chow diet control mice. In summary, this study demonstrated that GPR120 is expressed in mouse islet PP cells and GPR120 activation stimulated PP secretion via the Gq/PLC-Ca2+ signaling pathway in normal-chow diet mice but with diminished effects in HFD-induced obese mice.

Specific deletion of CDC42 in pancreatic β cells attenuates glucose-induced insulin expression and secretion in mice

Insulin is a key hormone for maintaining glucose homeostasis in organisms. In general, deficiency of insulin synthesis and secretion results in type I diabetes, whereas insulin resistance leads to type 2 diabetes. Cell division cycle 42 (CDC42), a member of Rho GTPases family, has been shown as an essential regulator in the second phase of glucose-induced insulin secretion in pancreatic islets β cells in vitro. However, the effect of CDC42 on insulin expression has not been explored. Here we reported that the glucose-induced insulin expression and secretion were significantly inhibited in mice lacking CDC42 gene in pancreatic β cells (Rip-CDC42cKO) in vivo and in vitro. Deletion of CDC42 gene in pancreatic β cells did not affect survival or reproduction in mice. However, the Rip-CDC42cKO mice showed the systemic glucose intolerance and the decrease of glucose-induced insulin secretion without apparent alterations of peripheral tissues insulin sensitivity and the morphology of islets. Furthermore, we demonstrated that deletion of CDC42 gene in pancreatic β cells significantly attenuated the insulin expression through inhibiting the ERK1/2-NeuroD1 signaling pathway. Taken together, our study presents novel evidence that CDC42 is an important modulator in glucose-induced insulin expression as well as insulin secretion in pancreatic β cells.

Histone deacetylase 3-selective inhibitor RGFP966 ameliorates impaired glucose tolerance through β-cell protection

The potential therapeutic effect of histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) pharmacologic inhibition on diabetes has been focused recently. RGFP966, as a highly-selective HDAC3 inhibitor, its possible roles and underlying mechanism in the treatment of diabetes needs to be clarified. In this study, low-dose streptozotocin (STZ)-induced pre-diabetic mice were used to test the regulatory ability of RGFP966 in blood glucose and insulin. We isolated the islets both from normal C57BL/6 J mice and KKAy mice with spontaneous type 2 diabetes to determine the potency of RGFP966 on glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. NIT-1 pancreatic β-cells induced by sodium palmitate (PA) were applied to identify the protective effects of RGFP966 against β-cell apoptosis. The results showed that administration of RGFP966 in the pre-diabetic mice not only significantly reduced hyperglycemia, promoted phase I insulin secretion, improved morphology of islets, but also increased glucose infusion rate (GIR) during hyperglycemic clamp test. When treated in vitro, RGFP966 enhanced insulin secretion and synthesis in islets of normal C57BL/6J mice and diabetic KKAy mice. In addition, it partially attenuated PA-induced apoptosis in NIT-1 cells. Therefore, our research suggests that RGFP966, probably through selective inhibition of HDAC3, might serve as a novel potential preventive and therapeutic candidate for diabetes.

HNF1α controls glucagon secretion in pancreatic α-cells through modulation of SGLT1

Hepatocyte nuclear factor 1α (HNF1α) is a transcription factor required for normal insulin secretion and maintenance of β-cell number in the pancreas. HNF1α is also expressed in pancreatic α-cells, but its role in these cells is unknown. The aim of this study was to clarify the role of HNF1α in α-cells. Male Hnf1a+/− mice with a mixed background were backcrossed to outbred ICR mice. Glucose tolerance, glucagon and insulin secretion, islet histology, and gene expression were investigated in ICR Hnf1a−/− and Hnf1a+/+ mice. Regulation of Slc5a1 (encoding sodium glucose cotransporter 1 [SGLT1]) expression by HNF1α and the effect of SGLT1 inhibition on glucagon secretion were also explored. ICR Hnf1a−/− mice were glucose intolerant and exhibited impaired glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. The β-cell area of ICR mice was decreased in Hnf1a−/− mice, but the α-cell area in the pancreas was similar between Hnf1a−/− and Hnf1a+/+ mice. Hnf1a−/− mice showed higher fasting glucagon levels and exhibited inadequate suppression of glucagon after glucose load. In addition, glucagon release in response to hypoglycemia was impaired in Hnf1a−/− mice, and glucagon secretion after 1.1 mM glucose administration, was also decreased in Hnf1a−/− islets. Slc5a1 expression was decreased in Hnf1a−/− islets, while HNF1α activated the Slc5a1 promoter in αTC1-6 cells. Inhibition of SGLT1 suppressed 1.1 mM glucose-stimulated glucagon secretion in islets and αTC1-6 cells, but SGLT1 inhibition had no additional inhibitory effect in HNF1α-deficient cells. Our findings indicate that HNF1α modulates glucagon secretion in α-cells through the regulation of Slc5a1.

Leonurine protects against dexamethasone-induced cytotoxicity in pancreatic β-cells via PI3K/Akt signaling pathway

Glucocorticoid excess induces pancreatic β-cell apoptosis and insulin secretion impairment, which may lead to hyperglycemia and steroid diabetes. Leonurine is a natural alkaloid extracted from the Herba leonuri, which has been widely used in the treatment of obstetric and gynecological diseases. However, whether leonurine performs a protective role in pancreatic β-cells remains unknown. In this study, we evaluated the effect of leonurine on dexamethasone -treated β-cells. Our data showed that leonurine inhibited dexamethasone-induced INS-1 cell apoptosis and facilitated cell proliferation. Moreover, leonurine attenuated dexamethasone-impaired insulin secretion in mice islets. Leonurine ameliorated dexamethasone-induced dephosphorylation of Akt, Bad and GSK-3β. Importantly, the protective role of leonurine on dexamethasone-induced cytotoxicity was blocked by LY294002 in INS-1 cells. Our findings revealed for the first time that leonurine could protect against dexamethasone-induced cytotoxicity in pancreatic β-cells via PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, suggesting leonurine may be a promising therapeutic agent for steroid diabetes.

Assessment of arsenic-induced modifications in the DNA methylation of insulin-related genes in rat pancreatic islets.

Extended exposure to inorganic arsenic through contaminated drinking water has been linked with increased incidence of diabetes mellitus. The most common exposure occurs through the consumption of contaminated drinking water mainly through geogenic sources of inorganic arsenic. Epigenetic modifications are important mechanisms through which environmental pollutants could exert their toxic effects. Bisulfite sequencing polymerase chain reaction method followed by Sanger sequencing was performed for DNA methylation analysis. Our results showed that sodium arsenite treatment significantly reduced insulin secretion in pancreatic islets. It was revealed that the methylation of glucose transporter 2 (Glut2) gene was changed at two cytosine-phosphate-guanine (CpG) sites (-1743, -1734) in the promoter region of the sodium arsenite-treated group comparing to the control. No changes were observed in the methylation status of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARγ), pancreatic and duodenal homeobox 1 (Pdx1) and insulin 2 (Ins2) CpG sites in the targeted regions. Measuring the gene expression level showed increase in Glut2 expression, while the expression of insulin (INS) and Pdx1 were significantly affected by sodium arsenite treatment. This study revealed that exposure to sodium arsenite changed the DNA methylation pattern of Glut2, a key transporter of glucose entry into the pancreatic beta cells (β-cells). Our data suggested possible epigenetic-mediated toxicity mechanism for arsenite-induced β-cells dysfunction. Further studies are needed to dissect the precise epigenetic modulatory activity of sodium arsenite that affect the biogenesis of insulin.

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)

2125-P: Incretin-Stimulated Insulin Secretion Is Mediated by Gas Dependent and Independent Mechanisms

The incretin peptides glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) stimulate insulin secretion in β-cells by binding to cognate receptors. The GIPR and GLP-1R are family B G-protein coupled receptors generally thought to mediate signaling through G-αs and generation of cAMP. However, the GLP-1R has also been reported to signal through alternative pathways beyond Gαs, and the relative contributions of Gαs vs. non-Gαs are unknown. The GLP-1R is essential for basal levels of cAMP and normal β-cell tone. We hypothesized that elimination of Gαs would render mouse islets insensitive to GLP-1R agonists. Induction of β-cell specific Gnas knockout with tamoxifen inducible cre caused a >90% reduction in Gαs mRNA in purified β-cells (Gnasβcell-/-). Perifusion of control and knockout islets demonstrated reduced glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, but persistence of an insulin response to GLP-1R agonists that was ∼40% of control. Similarly, insulin secretion in response to either GIP or glucagon was only partially reduced in Gαs knockout islets. A Gq inhibitor partially reduced insulin secretion in control islets, but abolished GLP-1 stimulated insulin secretion in Gnasβcell-/- islets. These results demonstrate that the incretins can signal through both Gαs and non-Gαs mechanisms. Interestingly, Gnasβcell-/- mice were severely hyperglycemic (>400 mg/dl) and had no reduction of glycemia in response to GLP-1R or GIPR agonists. Thus, non-Gαs signaling by either GLP-1R or GIPR is unable to stimulate sufficient insulin secretion to maintain euglycemia in vivo. Disclosure M. Capozzi: None. S.M. Gray: None. P. Emmerson: None. F.S. Willard: None. K. Sloop: None. D. D’Alessio: Advisory Panel; Self; Eli Lilly and Company. Consultant; Self; Intarcia Therapeutics. Research Support; Self; Ansh Labs, Eli Lilly and Company, Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp. Other Relationship; Self; Novo Nordisk A/S. J. Campbell: Research Support; Self; Eli Lilly and Company, Novo Nordisk Inc. Speaker’s Bureau; Self; Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp. Funding American Diabetes Association (1-17-JDF-074 to J.C.); National Institutes of Health (R01DK123075, F32DK116542)

248-LB: Spexin Promotes Insulin Secretion and ß-Cell Proliferation

Spexin was firstly discovered as a neuropeptide and was also detected in peripheral tissues including liver, fat and pancreatic islets. Recently, studies documents that diabetes patients had lower circulation level of Spexin. It is unclear whether Spexin exerts glucose homeostasis regulating effects. Here, we provide evidence that Spexin stimulates β cell proliferation and insulin secretion in mice and human islets. Acute administration of Spexin prior glucose challenge promoted insulin secretion and improved glucose tolerance in a dose dependent manner (35-200 μg/kg BW). Meanwhile, Spexin treatment had no effect on insulin tolerance. The addition of Spexin to mouse islets increased β cell proliferation demonstrated by 2-fold increase of BrdU(+) β-cells. Spexin promoted cell growth of INS-1 cells in a dose dependent manner with maximum effect at dose of 25 ng/ml. In a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced β cell proliferation and β cell mass expansion model, the percentage of Ki67(+) β-cells increased by 2-fold compared to chow diet (CD)-fed mice. Spexin provoked further 80% increase. Consistently, HFD feeding increased β-cell mass by 2-fold and Spexin made further 58% increase. To identify the mechanism of Spexin-stimulated β cell proliferation, we tested whether the expression of well-established β cell cycle regulators was controlled by Spexin. Spexin treatment of INS-1 cells for 24 h significantly increased mRNA levels of cyclin D1 and Cyclin E1 compared with controls. Spexin stimulated the phosphorylation of CREB (p-CREB) with a peak at 10 min. The addition of H89, a potent PKA inhibitor blocked the effect of Spexin on activation of p-CREB and stimulation of the expression of Ki67, Cyclin D1 and Cyclin E1. Furthermore, Spexin stimulated the p-CREB, promoted insulin secretion and increased β cell proliferation in human islets. Thus, Spexin is an important factor for islet β cell proliferation, and our study provides previously unrecognized evidence of a factor governing endocrine pancreas growth and function. Disclosure R. Liu: None. Funding National Natural Science Foundation of China (81200622, 81570518, 81630020)

2267-PUB: 1,5-Anhydroglucitol X Glycated Hemoglobin A1c/100: A Potential Biomarker for Islet ß-Cell Function in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Aims: The goals of the current study were to explore the level of and changes in the AH index (AHI, defined as 1,5-anhydroglucitol × glycated hemoglobin A1c/100) associated with different glucose metabolism statuses, and to evaluate the islet function and insulin sensitivity of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with different AHI levels. Methods: A total of 3562 individuals were enrolled in the study. According to the 2010 American Diabetes Association (ADA) diagnostic criteria, 1697 subjects were diagnosed as T2DM. The disposition index (DI) was defined as the product of insulin sensitivity-related indexes and islet secretion function. Results: The overall AHI level was 1.0 (0.7-1.3), while the AHI level of the T2DM group was 0.8 (0.5-1.2), which was significantly lower than that of the normal glucose tolerance group and the impaired glucose regulation group [both AHI 1.2 (0.9-1.5), and P < 0.01]. The T2DM group was further divided into four subgroups according to the quartile of AHI level. The results demonstrated that the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) decreased with the increase of AHI level (P for trend < 0.01). However, other parameters [i.e., HOMA of β-cell function (HOMA-β), insulin generation index, insulin sensitivity index, and DI] increased while AHI level increased (all P for trend < 0.01). Multivariate logistic regression illustrated that the odds ratios for a low DI for increasing levels of AHI were 1.00, 0.22 (0.16-0.29), 0.16 (0.11-0.22), and 0.09 (0.06-0.13), respectively, showing a decreasing trend (P for trend < 0.01). Conclusion: AHI could reflect the changes in the trend of glucose metabolism disorder and the function of islet β cells to some extent. The lower AHI was associated with worsening of the glucose metabolism disorder in recent years, and the islet β-cell function was correspondingly poor. Disclosure X. Ma: None. H. Su: None. Y. Shen: None. X. He: None. L. Ying: None. W. Zhu: None. Y. Wang: None. Y. Bao: None. J. Zhou: None.