Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress has been implicated as a causative factor in the development of pancreatic beta-cell dysfunction and death resulting in type 2 diabetes. This thesis examined the role of ATF6beta in the ER stress response of beta-cells. Using an ATF6beta-specific antibody, expression of full-length ATF6beta was detected in various insulinoma cell lines and rodent islets and the induction of the active form (ATF6beta-p60) under ER stress conditions. Knock-down of ATF6beta in INS-1 832/13 cells did not affect mRNA induction of known ER stress response genes in response to tunicamycin-induced ER stress, however it increased the susceptibility of beta-cells to apoptosis. Conversely, overexpression of ATF6beta-p60 reduced the apoptotic phenotype. Microarray results suggest ATF6beta functions to induce expression of adaptive genes also regulated by ATF6alpha, but also several specific targets genes. These findings have increased our understanding of the role of ATF6beta in the ER stress response of beta-cells.

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress has been implicated as a causative factor in the development of pancreatic beta-cell dysfunction and death resulting in type 2 diabetes. This thesis examined the role of ATF6beta in the ER stress response of beta-cells. Using an ATF6beta-specific antibody, expression of full-length ATF6beta was detected in various insulinoma cell lines and rodent islets and the induction of the active form (ATF6beta-p60) under ER stress conditions. Knock-down of ATF6beta in INS-1 832/13 cells did not affect mRNA induction of known ER stress response genes in response to tunicamycin-induced ER stress, however it increased the susceptibility of beta-cells to apoptosis. Conversely, overexpression of ATF6beta-p60 reduced the apoptotic phenotype. Microarray results suggest ATF6beta functions to induce expression of adaptive genes also regulated by ATF6alpha, but also several specific targets genes. These findings have increased our understanding of the role of ATF6beta in the ER stress response of beta-cells.

Mutations in the COL10A1 gene cause metaphyseal chondrodysplasia type Schmid (MCDS) by triggering ER stress and unfolded protein response (UPR). MCDS is characterised by a mild short-limb dwarfism accompanied by expansion of the cartilage growth plate hypertrophic zone (HZ) and altered differentiation of hypertrophic chondrocytes (HCs). ATF6 is one of the UPR mediators, which exists in two isoforms, ATF6α and ATF6β. Activation and up-regulation of ATF6α was a prominent biochemical sign of ER stress in a mouse model of MCDS, COL10a1 p.N617K. Although ATF6β is induced and activated in response to ER stress in a similar fashion to ATF6α, the role and significance of ATF6β in the pathology of many ER stress-associated diseases including MCDS is unknown. Here we utilized a combination of in vitro and in vivo approaches to define the precise role of each isoform of ATF6 in MCDS.To investigate the functions of ATF6α and ATF6β in vitro, we developed a MCDS cell model system (expressing either the wild type collagen X or one of the following MCDS-causing mutant forms of the protein: p.N617K, G618V, Y598D, and NC1del10) in which the expression of either ATF6α or ATF6β was efficiently silenced using siRNAs. ATF6α knockdown in HeLa cells expressing different MCDS-causing mutations suppressed the increased expression of UPR-associated genes such as BiP leading to an elevated ER stress, based on increased XBP1 splicing and/or ATF4 protein. In contrast, ATF6β knockdown did not significantly affect the mutant collagen X-induced increased expression of UPR-associated genes. Furthermore, the ER stress levels were significantly reduced in the ATF6β knockdown MCDS mutant cells based on the lower levels of XBP1 splicing and/or ATF4 protein detected. We then crossed the ATF6α/β knockout mice models with COL10a1 p.N617K mouse model of MCDS to investigate the function of ATF6α and ATF6β in vivo. Ablation of ATF6α in MCDS mice further- reduced the endochondral bone growth rate, further expanded the growth plate hypertrophic zone, and disrupted differentiation of HCs. Therefore, ATF6α appeared to play a chondroprotective role in MCDS as its deficiency caused an increase in the severity of the disease. Of particular note, the level of ER stress was further increased in the absence of ATF6α in MCDS, based on enhanced activities of PERK and IRE1 signalling pathways in compensation for the ATF6α loss. Paradoxically, ablation of ATF6β in MCDS mice reduced the intracellular retention of collagen X protein, and alleviated the ER stress as judged by the attenuated activities of PERK and IRE1 signalling pathways. The reduced ER stress resulting from deficiency for ATF6β in MCDS mice restored the expression of collagen X mRNA towards normal and improved the differentiation of HCs, causing a mark decrease in the expansion of HZ. The results presented within this thesis greatly increased our understanding of the function of ATF6α and ATF6β and their interplay in the pathogenesis of MCDS. We demonstrated an indispensable beneficiary role for ATF6α but a detrimental role for its closely related isoform, ATF6β, in pathology of MCDS. We also showed that the role of ATF6β should not be ignored. These findings may be used to develop a potential therapeutic strategy for MCDS through targeting and enhancing ATF6α-dependent and/or attenuating/blocking of ATF6β-dependent signalling pathways.

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(理学) / 甲第22291号 / 理博第4605号 / 新制||理||1660(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院理学研究科生物科学専攻 / (主査)教授 森 和俊, 教授 高田 彰二, 教授 平野 丈夫 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Science / Kyoto University / DFAM

京都大学 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(理学) / 甲第24779号 / 理博第4973号 / 新制||理||1710(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院理学研究科生物科学専攻 / (主査)教授 森 和俊, 教授 青山 卓史, 教授 杤尾 豪人 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Science / Kyoto University / DFAM

The establishment of non-resolving inflammation underlies the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory diseases in humans. Super low dose (SLD) endotoxin has been associated with exacerbating inflammation and the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory diseases. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are not well studied. In this study, I tested the hypothesis that SLD endotoxin may potentiate non-resolving innate immune cell inflammation through disrupting cellular endoplasmic reticulum (ER) homeostasis. We chose to study the dynamics of ER homeostasis in macrophages stimulated with SLD endotoxin. In naïve cells, ER stressor such as tunicamycin (TM) not only will induce cellular stress and inflammation through JNK and NFkβ activation, but also will cause subsequent compensatory homeostasis through inducing homeostatic molecules such as XBP1 and GRP78/BiP. We observed that cells challenged with SLD endotoxin have significantly reduced expression of homeostatic molecules XBP1 and BiP. Mechanistically, we observed that SLD-LPS increases phosphorylated HCK expression in TM treated cells. Phosphorylated HCK activation resulted in the phosphorylation of Golgi protein GRASP, leading to unstacking of Golgi cisterna and overall dysfunction of the Golgi apparatus. Dysfunctional Golgi apparatus and its effect on protein transport and secretion, may account for decreased levels of Site 2 Protease, reduced generation of ATF6 and its transcriptional target BiP. Taken together, our study reveal that super low dose endotoxin exacerbates low grade inflammation through increasing phosphorylation of HCK, inducing Golgi dysfunction, and decreasing BiP /homeostatic protein expression in innate immune cells. / Ph. D. / Non-resolving inflammation is a common factor shared in in many chronic inflammatory diseases such as atherosclerosis and diabetes mellitus type 2. Low levels of endotoxin have been shown to increase inflammation as well as further increase disease development. However, how such low levels of endotoxin is able to produce this effect is not well understood. This research focuses on how low levels of endotoxin can increase inflammation by decreasing the ability of the cell to restore homeostasis. It was found that a super low dose (SLD) endotoxin decreased activation of the unfolded protein response pathway (UPR). The UPR pathway is a prominent signaling pathway utilized by the cell to restore homeostasis and is activated following an accumulation of unfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum of the cell. The disruption of this pathway by SLD endotoxin resulted in increased inflammatory signaling and decreased cellular homeostasis.

Pancreatic beta-cells are responsible for secreting insulin into the circulation to maintain whole body glucose homeostasis. While pancreatic beta-cells have a large capacity to secrete insulin, their function progressively deteriorates during the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes as a result of both genetic predisposition and environmental factors. Obesity is the largest risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes and is associated with various conditions that can impair normal beta-cell function, including excess free fatty acids, inflammation and insulin resistance. Accumulating evidence in the literature suggests that endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress contributes to the molecular mechanism of pancreatic beta-cell failure during the progression of type 2 diabetes. In this thesis, I have examined the role of the ER stress sensor ATF6-alpha and also the ER-resident chaperone GRP78 in pancreatic beta-cell homeostasis and function. Work presented in Chapter 2 examined the function of naturally occurring ATF6-alpha protein variants associated with type 2 diabetes. I also examined the role of endogenous ATF6-alpha in pancreatic beta-cells, which is described in Chapter 3. Results from these analyses suggest that the ATF6-alpha gene is not a type 2 diabetes susceptibility gene; however, ATF6-alpha protein expression is important to beta-cell function and survival. Finally, ER stress markers have been detected in pancreatic beta-cells and insulin sensitive tissues (such as adipose and liver), which promote beta-cell dysfunction and insulin resistance, respectively. In Chapter 4, I examined the contribution of ER stress in beta-cell dysfunction specifically by generating transgenic mice over-expressing GRP78. The mice were subsequently challenged by high fat diet to determine their susceptibility to developing symptoms of type 2 diabetes. Indeed increased chaperone capacity in pancreatic beta-cells protected against obesity-induced glucose intolerance and insulin resistance. Overall, these data support the hypothesis that ER stress contributes to beta-cell dysfunction in type 2 diabetes progression.

Pancreatic beta-cells are responsible for secreting insulin into the circulation to maintain whole body glucose homeostasis. While pancreatic beta-cells have a large capacity to secrete insulin, their function progressively deteriorates during the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes as a result of both genetic predisposition and environmental factors. Obesity is the largest risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes and is associated with various conditions that can impair normal beta-cell function, including excess free fatty acids, inflammation and insulin resistance. Accumulating evidence in the literature suggests that endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress contributes to the molecular mechanism of pancreatic beta-cell failure during the progression of type 2 diabetes. In this thesis, I have examined the role of the ER stress sensor ATF6-alpha and also the ER-resident chaperone GRP78 in pancreatic beta-cell homeostasis and function. Work presented in Chapter 2 examined the function of naturally occurring ATF6-alpha protein variants associated with type 2 diabetes. I also examined the role of endogenous ATF6-alpha in pancreatic beta-cells, which is described in Chapter 3. Results from these analyses suggest that the ATF6-alpha gene is not a type 2 diabetes susceptibility gene; however, ATF6-alpha protein expression is important to beta-cell function and survival. Finally, ER stress markers have been detected in pancreatic beta-cells and insulin sensitive tissues (such as adipose and liver), which promote beta-cell dysfunction and insulin resistance, respectively. In Chapter 4, I examined the contribution of ER stress in beta-cell dysfunction specifically by generating transgenic mice over-expressing GRP78. The mice were subsequently challenged by high fat diet to determine their susceptibility to developing symptoms of type 2 diabetes. Indeed increased chaperone capacity in pancreatic beta-cells protected against obesity-induced glucose intolerance and insulin resistance. Overall, these data support the hypothesis that ER stress contributes to beta-cell dysfunction in type 2 diabetes progression.

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Aging is associated with a loss of proliferation of the insulin-secreting beta cell, a possible contributing factor to the greatly increased rate of type-2 diabetes in the elderly. A landmark study from our lab previously illustrated that mild endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress drives beta cell proliferation specifically through ATF6α, one arm of the tripartite Unfolded Protein Response (UPR). It is unknown if old beta cells differ from young beta cells in UPR signaling or proliferative response to ER stress or ATF6α activation. To investigate, young and old mouse islets were cultured ex vivo in high glucose, and beta cell proliferation was quantified by BrdU incorporation after treatment with low dose thapsigargin or activation of overexpressed ATF6α. In addition, levels of UPR signaling were compared by semi-quantitative Xbp1 splicing assay. Interestingly, although old beta cells displayed reduced proliferation in glucose compared to young beta cells, their proliferative response to low-dose thapsigargin and ATF6α activation were nearly identical, and no difference was found in Xbp1 splicing under high glucose or high ER stress conditions. These results suggest that the aged mouse beta cell does not have impaired UPR-responsive proliferation or aberrant UPR signaling when cultured ex vivo