Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / A hallmark of diabetes is the loss of physical or functional Beta (β) cell mass. Maladaptive intrinsic β cell responses to islet inflammatory stress may exacerbate diabetes development, suggesting that β cells themselves may not be innocent bystanders in diabetes development. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), small RNAs that repress mRNA translation, serve as important regulators of β cell development and function. β cell microRNA 21 (miR-21) is increased in models of diabetes and I have identified Hypoxia Inducible Factor 1 Subunit Alpha (Hif1a) as a regulator of β cell miR-21. However, β cell effects of miR-21, remain poorly defined. To define the effects of miR-21, an in silico analysis of predictive targets of miR-21 identified multiple targets associated with maintenance of β cell identity, including the SMAD Family Member 2 (Smad2) mRNAs in the Transforming Growth Factor Beta 2 (Tgfb2) pathway. Based on this, I hypothesized that β cell miR-21 induces dysfunction via loss of β cell identity. To test this, I developed a tetracycline-on system of miR-21 induction in clonal β cells and human islets, as well as novel transgenic zebrafish and mouse models of inducible β cell specific miR-21 overexpression. β cell miR-21 induction increased aldehyde dehydrogenase (aldh1a3), but reduced expression of transcription factors associated with β cell identity, and glucose stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS), consistent with β cell dedifferentiation and dysfunction. Predicted targets Tgfb2 and Smad2 were reduced by miR-21 overexpression and confirmed to directly bind miR-21 using streptavidin-biotin pulldown. In vivo models of β cell miR-21 induction exhibited hyperglycemia, increased glucagon expression, and decreased insulin expression. These findings implicate miR-21- mediated reduction of mRNAs regulating β cell identity as a contributor to β cell dedifferentiation and dysfunction during islet inflammatory stress. / 2022-05-19

Patients with type-1 diabetes lose their β-cells after autoimmune attack. Islet transplantation is a co-option for curing this disease, but survival of transplanted islets is poor. Thus, methods to enhance β-cell viability and function as well as methods to expand β-cell mass are required. The work presented in this thesis aimed to study the roles of neural crest stem cells or their derivatives in supporting β-cell proliferation, function, and survival. In co-culture when mouse boundary cap neural crest stem cells (bNCSCs) and pancreatic islets were in direct contact, differentiating bNCSCs strongly induced β-cell proliferation, and these proliferating β-cells were glucose responsive in terms of insulin secretion. Moreover, co-culture of murine bNCSCs with β-cell lines RIN5AH and β-TC6 showed partial protection of β-cells against cytokine-induced β-cell death. Direct contacts between bNCSCs and β-cells increased β-cell viability, and led to cadherin and β-catenin accumulations at the bNCSC/β-cell junctions. We proposed that cadherin junctions supported signals which promoted β-cell survival. We further revealed that murine neural crest stem cells harvested from hair follicles were unable to induce β-cell proliferation, and did not form cadherin junctions when cultured with pancreatic islets. Finally, we discovered that the presence of bNCSCs in co-culture counteracted cytokine-mediated insulin-producing human EndoC-βH1 cell death. Furthermore, these two cell types formed N-cadherin, but not E-cadherin, junctions when they were in direct contact. In conclusion, the results of these studies illustrate how neural crest stem cells influence β-cell proliferation, function, and survival which may improve islet transplantation outcome.

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京都大学 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(医学) / 甲第24965号 / 医博第5019号 / 新制||医||1069(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院医学研究科医学専攻 / (主査)教授 川口 義弥, 教授 波多野 悦朗, 教授 中本 裕士 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Medical Science / Kyoto University / DFAM

Secretion of appropriate amounts of insulin from pancreatic β-cells is crucial for glucose homeostasis. The β-cells release insulin in response to glucose and other nutrients, hormones and neurotransmitters, which trigger intracellular signaling cascades, that result in exocytotic fusion of insulin-containing vesicles with the plasma membrane. Increases of the intracellular concentration of calcium ions ([Ca2+]i) trigger exocytosis, whereas the messenger cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) amplifies various steps of the secretion process. The protein Epac2 mediates some effects of cAMP, but little is known about its regulation in β-cells. In this study, the spatio-temporal dynamics of Epac2 was investigated in insulin-secreting MIN6-cells and primary β-cells using various cell signaling biosensors and live-cell fluorescence microscopy approaches. Increases in the cAMP concentration triggered translocation of Epac2 from the cytoplasm to the plasma membrane. Oscillations of cAMP induced by glucose and the insulin-releasing hormone GLP-1 were associated with cyclic translocation of Epac2. Analyses of Epac2 mutants showed that the high-affinity cyclic nucleotide-binding domain and Ras-association domains were crucial for the translocation, whereas neither the DEP domain, nor the low-affinity cAMP-binding domain were required for membrane binding. However, the latter domain targeted Epac2 to insulin granules at the plasma membrane, which promoted their priming for exocytosis. Depolarization-induced elevations of [Ca2+]i also stimulated Epac2 translocation, but the effects were complex and in the presence of high cAMP concentrations, [Ca2+]i increases often reduced membrane binding. The stimulatory effect of Ca2+ was mediated by increased Ras activity, while the inhibitory effect reflected reduced concentrations of the membrane phospholipid PtdIns(4,5)P2. Anti-diabetic drugs of the sulfonylurea class, suggested to directly activate Epac2, induced translocation indirectly by depolarizing β-cells to increase [Ca2+]i. Epac2 is an activator of Rap GTPases, and its translocation increased Rap activity at the plasma membrane. It is concluded that the subcellular localization of Epac2 is controlled by a complex interplay between cAMP, Ca2+ and PtdIns(4,5)P2 and that the protein controls insulin release by binding to the exocytosis machinery. These results provide new insights into the regulation of β-cell function and may facilitate the development of new anti-diabetic drugs that amplify insulin secretion.

Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disorder that results in β-cell dysfunction and ultimate destruction, and leads to impaired glucose homeostasis. High rates of proliferation and differentiation of pancreatic β-cells occurs mostly during neonatal development. However, research shows these mechanisms remain intact as β-cell proliferation has been observed during pregnancy and obesity. We have shown that overexpression of the β-cell transcription factor Nkx6.1 is sufficient to induce β-cell proliferation. Exploration of the transcriptional targets of Nkx6.1 has identified histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) as a down-stream target of Nkx6.1. Here we demonstrate that HDAC1 overexpression is sufficient to induce β-cell proliferation, enhance β-cell survival upon exposure to apoptotic stimuli and maintains glucose stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS). Our data suggests overexpression of HDAC1 leads to p15/INK4b suppression, a cell cycle inhibitor, potentially explaining the mechanism behind these observed effects. These data demonstrate that HDAC1 overexpression is sufficient to induce β-cell proliferation and enhance cell survival while maintaining glucose stimulated insulin secretion.

A hallmark of type 2 diabetes (T2D) is β-cell dysfunction and the eventual loss of functional β-cell mass. Therefore, mechanisms that improve or preserve β-cell function could be used to improve the quality of life of individuals with T2D. Studies have shown that monomeric, oligomeric and polymeric cocoa flavanols have different effects on obesity, insulin resistance and glucose tolerance. We hypothesized that these cocoa flavanols may have beneficial effects on β-cell function. INS-1 832/13 derived β-cells and primary rat islets cultured with a monomeric catechin-rich cocoa flavanol fraction demonstrated enhanced glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, while cells cultured with total cocoa extract, oligomeric, or polymeric procyanidin-rich fractions demonstrated no improvement. The increased glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in the presence of the monomeric catechin-rich fraction corresponded with enhanced mitochondrial respiration, suggesting improvements in β-cell fuel utilization. Mitochondrial complex III, IV and V components were upregulated after culture with the monomer-rich fraction, corresponding with increased cellular ATP production. The monomer-rich fraction improved cellular redox state and increased glutathione concentration, which corresponds with Nrf2 nuclear localization and expression of Nrf2 target genes, including NRF-1 and GABPA, essential genes for increasing mitochondrial function. We propose a model by which monomeric cocoa catechins improve the cellular redox state, resulting in Nrf2 nuclear migration and upregulation of genes critical for mitochondrial respiration, and, ultimately, enhanced glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and β-cell function. These results suggest a mechanism by which monomeric cocoa catechins exert their effects as an effective complementary strategy to benefit T2D patients.

Des études montrent que l’accumulation de lipides dans l’hypothalamus serait responsable de l’installation d’une lipotoxicité centrale : phénomène qui pourrait jouer un rôle dans l’apparition d’une insulino-résistance périphérique et du diabète de type II en dérégulant le contrôle nerveux de l’homéostasie glucidique. Il est connu que l'accumulation des céramides est impliquée dans le développement d’une lipotoxicité des tissus périphériques. L’objectif de cette étude est de déterminer le rôle du métabolisme des céramides au niveau hypothalamique dans l’installation d’une insulino-résistance centrale et d'en étudier les mécanismes impliqués. Nous avons également déterminé le rôle du métabolisme des céramides hypothalamiques dans la dérégulation de l’homéostasie glucidique induite par l’obésité.L’installation d'une insulino-résistance centrale est étudiée à l'aide d'approches in vitro, en utilisant des cellules hypothalamiques de souris GT1-7 traitées avec du palmitate pendant 24h. L'action de l’insuline est mesurée par la quantification d’Akt phosphorylée (western blot). Les céramides sont quantifiées par lipidomique, l'expression d’ARNm des gènes codant pour les enzymes de la voie de synthèse de novo des céramides par qRT-PCR. Des rats Zucker obèses sont perfusés avec la myriocine (inhibiteur de la synthèse de novo des céramides) en ICV pendant 21 jours. Des tests de sensibilité à l'insuline et de tolérance au glucose sont réalisés. A la fin du traitement, ils reçoivent une injection ICV d'insuline, la sensibilité à l’insuline ainsi que les taux de céramides sont quantifiés dans l’hypothalamus. Les îlots de Langerhans sont isolés pour des tests de sécrétion d'insuline.Nous avons mis en évidence une insulino-résistance dans la lignée hypothalamique GT1-7 traitées avec le palmitate qui s’accompagne d’une accumulation de céramides. En présence de myriocine, les céramides ne sont plus accumulés et le l’insulino-résistance induite par le palmitate est contre-carrée. En utilisant un inhibiteur de la PKCζ et un adénovirus codant pour un dominant-négatif de la PKCζ, nous avons montré que le palmitate n'est plus capable d'induire une insulino-résistance et ce malgré la présence d'une accumulation de céramides. Chez le rat Zucker obèse, nous avons mis en évidence une accumulation de céramides hypothalamiques qui est contre-carrée par la myriocine. Ceci est associé avec une amélioration de la sensibilité à l’insuline dans l’hypothalamus. De façon, intéressante, ces animaux améliorent leur tolérance au glucose qui est associée à une augmentation du tonus parasympathique conduisant à une augmentation de la sécrétion d’insuline. Les îlots de Langerhans isolés à partir de ces rats présentent une capacité sécrétoire augmentée lors du traitement avec la myriocine.Au final, notre étude révèle que la lipotoxicité hypothalamique est associée à une accumulation de céramides dans cette structure, responsable de l’installation d’une insulino-résistance. Ces résultats mettent également en évidence le rôle clé du métabolisme des céramides au niveau de l’hypothalamus dans la dérégulation du contrôle nerveux de l’homéostasie glucidique induit par l’obésité / Studies show that hypothalamic lipid accumulation is responsible for the development of central lipotoxicity, a phenomenon that could play a role in the installation of peripheral insulin resistance and type II diabetes by deregulating the nervous control of glucose homeostasis. It is known that the accumulation of ceramides is involved in the development of lipotoxicity of peripheral tissues. The objective of this study is to determine the role of the hypothalamic ceramide metabolism on the installation of a central insulin resistance and to study the mechanisms involved on this phenomenon. We also determined the role of hypothalamic ceramide metabolism in the deregulation of obesity-induced glucose homeostasis.The installation of a central insulin resistance is studied using in vitro approaches using hypothalamic GT1-7 mouse cells treated with palmitate for 24 hours. The action of insulin is measured by the quantification of phosphorylated Akt (western blot). The ceramides are quantified by lipidomic assay, mRNA expression of genes encoding enzymes of de novo synthesis pathway of ceramides by qRT-PCR. Obese Zucker rats were perfused with myriocin (an inhibitor of de novo synthesis of ceramides) in ICV for 21 days. Insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance tests are performed. At the end of treatment, they receive an ICV injection of insulin, insulin sensitivity and ceramide levels are quantified in the hypothalamus. Islets of Langerhans are isolated for insulin secretion tests.We have demonstrated that palmitate is able to induce insulin resistance in the hypothalamic GT1-7, which is accompanied by an accumulation of ceramides. In the presence of myriocin, ceramides are no longer accumulated and the insulin resistance induced by palmitate is counteract. Using an inhibitor of PKCζ and an adenovirus encoding a dominant-negative of PKCζ, we have shown that palmitate is no longer able to induce insulin resistance despite the presence of an accumulation of ceramides. In the obese Zucker rat, we have demonstrated an accumulation of hypothalamic ceramides which is counteract by myriocin. This is associated with an improvement in insulin sensitivity in the hypothalamus. Interestingly, these animals improve their glucose tolerance which is associated with an increase in parasympathetic tone leading to an increase in insulin secretion. Islets of Langerhans isolated from these rats have increased secretory capacity when treated with myriocin.In conclusion, our study reveals that hypothalamic lipotoxicity is associated with an accumulation of ceramides in this structure, responsible for the installation of insulin resistance. These results also highlight the key role of ceramide metabolism at the hypothalamus level in the deregulation of nervous control of obesity-induced carbohydrate homeostasis

Type 1 and type 2 diabetes are characterized by an excessive loss of insulin producing β-cells. β-cells are particularly susceptible to increased oxidative stress induced apoptosis due to low expression of major antioxidants. Peroxiredoxin-2 (PRDX2) belongs to a group of antioxidants with antiapoptotic roles. Preliminary data indicate PRDX2 is expressed in the β-cells. Endogenous PRDX2 in the β-cell line MIN6 is found to decrease under oxidative stress conditions. I hypothesize that PRDX2 has a role in protecting β-cells against oxidative stress induced apoptosis. Overexpression or knockdown strategies were used to examine the role of PRDX2 in insulin-secreting MIN6 cells treated with various stimuli (cytokines, palmitate, streptozotocin) to induce apoptosis. Results showed that PRDX2 overexpression decreased oxidative stress induced apoptosis markers and cell death indicators, whereas knockdown of PRDX2 exaggerated oxidative stress induced toxicity. These findings suggest that PRDX2 plays a protective role in pancreatic β-cells under oxidative stress conditions.

Type 1 and type 2 diabetes are characterized by an excessive loss of insulin producing β-cells. β-cells are particularly susceptible to increased oxidative stress induced apoptosis due to low expression of major antioxidants. Peroxiredoxin-2 (PRDX2) belongs to a group of antioxidants with antiapoptotic roles. Preliminary data indicate PRDX2 is expressed in the β-cells. Endogenous PRDX2 in the β-cell line MIN6 is found to decrease under oxidative stress conditions. I hypothesize that PRDX2 has a role in protecting β-cells against oxidative stress induced apoptosis. Overexpression or knockdown strategies were used to examine the role of PRDX2 in insulin-secreting MIN6 cells treated with various stimuli (cytokines, palmitate, streptozotocin) to induce apoptosis. Results showed that PRDX2 overexpression decreased oxidative stress induced apoptosis markers and cell death indicators, whereas knockdown of PRDX2 exaggerated oxidative stress induced toxicity. These findings suggest that PRDX2 plays a protective role in pancreatic β-cells under oxidative stress conditions.