Cosecretion of islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) and insulin from isolated rat pancreatic islets following stimulation or inhibition of beta-cell function

Decreased islet amyloid polypeptide staining in the islets of insulinoma patients

Islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) is a factor that regulates food intake and is secreted from both pancreatic islets and insulinoma cells. Here, we aimed to evaluate IAPP immunohistochemically in islets or insulinoma cells in association with clinical characteristics. We recruited six insulinoma patients and six body mass index-matched control patients with pancreatic diseases other than insulinoma whose glucose tolerance was confirmed to be normal preoperatively. IAPP and IAPP-insulin double staining were performed on pancreatic surgical specimens. We observed that the IAPP staining level and percentage of IAPP-positive beta cells tended to be lower (p = 0.1699) in the islets of insulinoma patients than in those of control patients, which might represent a novel IAPP expression pattern under persistent hyperinsulinemia and hypoglycemia.

Understanding the structural dynamics of human islet amyloid polypeptide: Advancements in and applications of ion-mobility mass spectrometry

Human islet amyloid polypeptide (hIAPP) forms amyloid deposits that contribute to β-cell death in pancreatic islets and are considered a hallmark of Type II diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). Evidence suggests that the early oligomers of hIAPP formed during the aggregation process are the primary pathological agent in islet amyloid induced β-cell death. The self-assembly mechanism of hIAPP, however, remains elusive, largely due to limitations in conventional biophysical techniques for probing the distribution or capturing detailed structures of the early, structurally dynamic oligomers. The advent of Ion-mobility Mass Spectrometry (IM-MS) has enabled the characterisation of hIAPP early oligomers in the gas phase, paving the way towards a deeper understanding of the oligomerisation mechanism and the correlation of structural information with the cytotoxicity of the oligomers. The sensitivity and the rapid structural characterisation provided by IM-MS also show promise in screening hIAPP inhibitors, categorising their modes of inhibition through "spectral fingerprints". This review delves into the application of IM-MS to the dissection of the complex steps of hIAPP oligomerisation, examining the inhibitory influence of metal ions, and exploring the characterisation of hetero-oligomerisation with different hIAPP variants. We highlight the potential of IM-MS as a tool for the high-throughput screening of hIAPP inhibitors, and for providing insights into their modes of action. Finally, we discuss advances afforded by recent advancements in tandem IM-MS and the combination of gas phase spectroscopy with IM-MS, which promise to deliver a more sensitive and higher-resolution structural portrait of hIAPP oligomers. Such information may help facilitate a new era of targeted therapeutic strategies for islet amyloidosis in T2DM.

Zinc and pH modulate the ability of insulin to inhibit aggregation of islet amyloid polypeptide

Aggregation of the human islet amyloid polypeptide (hIAPP) contributes to the development and progression of Type 2 Diabetes (T2D). hIAPP aggregates within a few hours at few micromolar concentration in vitro but exists at millimolar concentrations in vivo. Natively occurring inhibitors of hIAPP aggregation might therefore provide a model for drug design against amyloid formation associated with T2D. Here, we describe the combined ability of low pH, zinc, and insulin to inhibit hIAPP fibrillation. Insulin dose-dependently slows hIAPP aggregation near neutral pH but had less effect on the aggregation kinetics at acidic pH. We determine that insulin alters hIAPP aggregation in two manners. First, insulin diverts the aggregation pathway to large nonfibrillar aggregates with ThT-positive molecular structure, rather than to amyloid fibrils. Second, soluble insulin suppresses hIAPP dimer formation, which is an important early aggregation event. Further, we observe that zinc significantly modulates the inhibition of hIAPP aggregation by insulin. We hypothesize that this effect arose from controlling the oligomeric state of insulin and show that hIAPP interacts more strongly with monomeric than oligomeric insulin.

A new polymorphism of human amylin fibrils with similar protofilaments and a conserved core

Pancreatic amyloid deposits composed of a fibrillar form of the human islet amyloid polypeptide (hIAPP) are the pathological hallmark of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Although various cryo-EM structures of polymorphic hIAPP fibrils were reported, the underlying polymorphic mechanism of hIAPP remains elusive. Meanwhile, the structure of hIAPP fibrils with all residues visible in the fibril core is not available. Here, we report the full-length structures of two different polymorphs of hIAPP fibrils, namely slim form (SF, dimer) and thick form (TF, tetramer), formed in a salt-free environment, which share a similar ζ-shaped protofilament but differ in inter-protofilament interfaces. In the absence of salt, electrostatic interactions were found to play a dominant role in stabilizing the fibril structure, suggesting an antagonistic effect between electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions in different salt concentrations environments. Our results shed light on understanding the mechanism of amyloid fibril polymorphism.

Classical and non-classical islet peptides in the control of β-cell function

The dual role of the pancreas as both an endocrine and exocrine gland is vital for food digestion and control of nutrient metabolism. The exocrine pancreas secretes enzymes into the small intestine aiding digestion of sugars and fats, whereas the endocrine pancreas secretes a cocktail of hormones into the blood, which is responsible for blood glucose control and regulation of carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism. Classical islet hormones, insulin, glucagon, pancreatic polypeptide and somatostatin, interact in an autocrine and paracrine manner, to fine-tube the islet function and insulin secretion to the needs of the body. Recently pancreatic islets have been reported to express a number of non-classical peptide hormones involved in metabolic signalling, whose major production site was believed to reside outside pancreas, e.g. in the small intestine. We highlight the key non-classical islet peptides, and consider their involvement, together with established islet hormones, in regulation of stimulus-secretion coupling as well as proliferation, survival and transdifferentiation of β-cells. We furthermore focus on the paracrine interaction between classical and non-classical islet hormones in the maintenance of β-cell function. Understanding the functional relationships between these islet peptides might help to develop novel, more efficient treatments for diabetes and related metabolic disorders.

Inside the Insulin Secretory Granule

The pancreatic β-cell is purpose-built for the production and secretion of insulin, the only hormone that can remove glucose from the bloodstream. Insulin is kept inside miniature membrane-bound storage compartments known as secretory granules (SGs), and these specialized organelles can readily fuse with the plasma membrane upon cellular stimulation to release insulin. Insulin is synthesized in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) as a biologically inactive precursor, proinsulin, along with several other proteins that will also become members of the insulin SG. Their coordinated synthesis enables synchronized transit through the ER and Golgi apparatus for congregation at the trans-Golgi network, the initiating site of SG biogenesis. Here, proinsulin and its constituents enter the SG where conditions are optimized for proinsulin processing into insulin and subsequent insulin storage. A healthy β-cell is continually generating SGs to supply insulin in vast excess to what is secreted. Conversely, in type 2 diabetes (T2D), the inability of failing β-cells to secrete may be due to the limited biosynthesis of new insulin. Factors that drive the formation and maturation of SGs and thus the production of insulin are therefore critical for systemic glucose control. Here, we detail the formative hours of the insulin SG from the luminal perspective. We do this by mapping the journey of individual members of the SG as they contribute to its genesis.

In vitro Characterization of Insulin-Producing β-Cell Spheroids

Over the years, immortalized rodent β-cell lines such as RIN, HIT, MIN, βTC, and INS-1 have been used to investigate pancreatic β-cell physiology using conventional two-dimensional (2D) culture techniques. However, physical and physiological limitations inherent to 2D cell culture necessitates confirmatory follow up studies using sentient animals. Three-dimensional (3D) culture models are gaining popularity for their recapitulation of key features of in vivo organ physiology, and thus could pose as potential surrogates for animal experiments. In this study, we aimed to develop and characterize a rat insulinoma INS-1 3D spheroid model to compare with 2D monolayers of the same cell line. Ultrastructural verification was done by transmission electron microscopy and toluidine blue staining, which showed that both 2D monolayers and 3D spheroids contained highly granulated cells with ultrastructural features synonymous with mature pancreatic β-cells, with increased prominence of these features observed in 3D spheroids. Viability, as assessed by cellular ATP quantification, size profiling and glucose utilization, showed that our spheroids remained viable for the experimental period of 30 days, compared to the limiting 5-day passage period of INS-1 monolayers. In fact, increasing ATP content together with spheroid size was observed over time, without adverse changes in glucose utilization. Additionally, β-cell function, assessed by determining insulin and amylin secretion, showed that the 3D spheroids retained glucose sensing and insulin secretory capability, that was more acute when compared to 2D monolayer cultures. Thus, we were able to successfully demonstrate that our in vitro INS-1 β-cell 3D spheroid model exhibits in vivo tissue-like structural features with extended viability and lifespan. This offers enhanced predictive capacity of the model in the study of metabolic disease, β-cell pathophysiology and the potential treatment thereof.

Cyanidin-3-O-Glucoside improves the viability of human islet cells treated with amylin or Aβ1-42 in vitro

Islet transplantation is being considered as an alternative treatment for type 1 diabetes. Despite recent progress, transplant recipients continue to experience progressive loss of insulin independence. Cyanidin-3-O-Glucoside (C3G) has shown to be protective against damage that may lead to post-transplant islet loss. In this study, human islets cultured with or without C3G were treated with human amylin, Aβ1-42, H2O2, or rapamycin to mimic stresses encountered in the post-transplant environment. Samples of these islets were collected and assayed to determine C3G's effect on cell viability and function, reactive oxygen species (ROS), oxidative stress, amyloid formation, and the presence of inflammatory as well as autophagic markers. C3G treatment of human islets exposed to either amylin or Aβ1-42 increased cell viability (p<0.01) and inhibited amyloid formation (p<0.01). A reduction in ROS and an increase in HO-1 gene expression as well as in vitro islet function were also observed in C3G-treated islets exposed to amylin or Aβ1-42, although not significantly. Additionally, treatment with C3G resulted in a significant reduction in the protein expression of inflammatory markers IL-1β and NLRP3 (p<0.01) as well as an increase in LC3 autophagic marker (p<0.05) in human islets treated with amylin, Aβ1-42, rapamycin, or H2O2. Thus, C3G appears to have a multi-faceted protective effect on human islets in vitro, possibly through its anti-oxidant property and alteration of inflammatory as well as autophagic pathways.

Pro-islet amyloid polypeptide in micelles contains a helical prohormone segment

Pro-islet amyloid polypeptide (proIAPP) is the prohormone precursor molecule to IAPP, also known as amylin. IAPP is a calcitonin family peptide hormone that is cosecreted with insulin, and largely responsible for hunger satiation and metabolic homeostasis. Amyloid plaques containing mixtures of mature IAPP and misprocessed proIAPP deposit on, and destroy pancreatic β-cell membranes, and they are recognized as a clinical hallmark of type 2 diabetes mellitus. In order to better understand the interaction with cellular membranes, we solved the solution NMR structure of proIAPP bound to dodecylphosphocholine micelles at pH 4.5. We show that proIAPP is a dynamic molecule with four α-helices. The first two helices are contained within the mature IAPP sequence, while the second two helices are part of the C-terminal prohormone segment (Cpro). We mapped the membrane topology of the amphipathic helices by paramagnetic relaxation enhancement, and we used CD and diffusion-ordered spectroscopy to identify environmental factors that impact proIAPP membrane affinity. We discuss how our structural results relate to prohormone processing based on the varied pH environments and lipid compositions of organelle membranes within the regulated secretory pathway, and the likelihood of Cpro survival for cosecretion with IAPP. DATABASE: The assigned resonances have been deposited in the Biological Magnetic Resonance Bank (BMRB) with accession numbers 50007 and 50019 for proIAPP and Cpro, respectively. The lowest energy structures have been deposited in the Protein Data Bank (PDB) with access codes 6UCJ and 6UCK.

Vaccination Against Amyloidogenic Aggregates in Pancreatic Islets Prevents Development of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic progressive disease characterized by insulin resistance and insufficient insulin secretion to maintain normoglycemia. The majority of T2DM patients bear amyloid deposits mainly composed of islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) in their pancreatic islets. These-originally β-cell secretory products-extracellular aggregates are cytotoxic for insulin-producing β-cells and are associated with β-cell loss and inflammation in T2DM advanced stages. Due to the absence of T2DM preventive medicaments and the presence of only symptomatic drugs acting towards increasing hormone secretion and action, we aimed at establishing a novel disease-modifying therapy targeting the cytotoxic IAPP deposits in order to prevent the development of T2DM. We generated a vaccine based on virus-like particles (VLPs), devoid of genomic material, coupled to IAPP peptides inducing specific antibodies against aggregated, but not monomeric IAPP. Using a mouse model of islet amyloidosis, we demonstrate in vivo that our vaccine induced a potent antibody response against aggregated, but not soluble IAPP, strikingly preventing IAPP depositions, delaying onset of hyperglycemia and the induction of the associated pro-inflammatory cytokine Interleukin 1β (IL-1β). We offer the first cost-effective and safe disease-modifying approach targeting islet dysfunction in T2DM, preventing pathogenic aggregates without disturbing physiological IAPP function.

Amyloidogenicity and cytotoxicity of des-Lys-1 human amylin provides insight into amylin self-assembly and highlights the difficulties of defining amyloidogenicity

The polypeptide amylin is responsible for islet amyloid in type 2 diabetes, a process which contributes to β-cell death in the disease. The role of the N-terminal region of amylin in amyloid formation is relatively unexplored, although removal of the disulfide bridged loop between Cys-2 and Cys-7 accelerates amyloid formation. We examine the des Lys-1 variant of human amylin (h-amylin), a variant which is likely produced in vivo. Lys-1 is a region of high charge density in the h-amylin amyloid fiber. The des Lys-1 polypeptide forms amyloid on the same time scale as wild-type amylin in phosphate buffered saline, but does so more rapidly in Tris. The des Lys-1 variant is somewhat less toxic to cultured INS cells than wild type. The implications for the in vitro mechanism of amyloid formation and for comparative analysis of amyloidogenicity are discussed.

The flanking peptides issue from the maturation of the human islet amyloid polypeptide (hIAPP) slightly modulate hIAPP-fibril formation but not hIAPP-induced cell death

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a disease characterized by the formation of amyloid fibrillar deposits consisting mainly in human islet amyloid polypeptide (hIAPP), a peptide co-produced and co-secreted with insulin. hIAPP and insulin are synthesized by pancreatic β cells initially as prehormones resulting after sequential cleavages in the mature peptides as well as the two flanking peptides (N- and C-terminal) and the C-peptide, respectively. It has been suggested that in the secretory granules, the kinetics of hIAPP fibril formation could be modulated by some internal factors. Indeed, insulin is known to be a potent inhibitor of hIAPP fibril formation and hIAPP-induced cell toxicity. Here we investigate whether the flanking peptides could regulate hIAPP fibril formation and toxicity by combining biophysical and biological approaches. Our data reveal that both flanking peptides are not amyloidogenic. In solution and in the presence of phospholipid membranes, they are not able to totally inhibit hIAPP-fibril formation neither hIAPP-membrane damage. In the presence of INS-1 cells, a rat pancreatic β-cell line, the flanking peptides do not modulate hIAPP fibrillation neither hIAPP-induced cell death while in the presence of human islets, they have a slightly tendency to reduce hIAPP fibril formation but not its toxicity. These data demonstrate that the flanking peptides do not strongly contribute to reduce mature hIAPP amyloidogenesis in solution and in living cells, suggesting that other biochemical factors present in the cells must act on mature hIAPP fibril formation and hIAPP-induced cell death.

Nonclassical Islet Peptides: Pancreatic and Extrapancreatic Actions

The pancreas has physiologically important endocrine and exocrine functions; secreting enzymes into the small intestine to aid digestion and releasing multiple peptide hormones via the islets of Langerhans to regulate glucose metabolism, respectively. Insulin and glucagon, in combination with ghrelin, pancreatic polypeptide and somatostatin, are the main classical islet peptides critical for the maintenance of blood glucose. However, pancreatic islets also synthesis numerous ‘nonclassical’ peptides that have recently been demonstrated to exert fundamental effects on overall islet function and metabolism. As such, insights into the physiological relevance of these nonclassical peptides have shown impact on glucose metabolism, insulin action, cell survival, weight loss, and energy expenditure. This review will focus on the role of individual nonclassical islet peptides to stimulate pancreatic islet secretions as well as regulate metabolism. In addition, the more recognised actions of these peptides on satiety and energy regulation will also be considered. Furthermore, recent advances in the field of peptide therapeutics and obesity-diabetes have focused on the benefits of simultaneously targeting several hormone receptor signalling cascades. The potential for nonclassical islet hormones within such combinational approaches will also be discussed.

Physico-chemical stability of co-formulation of PEGylated human amylin with insulin

Since the discovery of amylin no combined formulation with insulin has been made available. Amylin or its triple proline analog pramlintide are not compatible in solution with insulin. The drug candidate hAmy-PEG5k is a novel monoPEGylated amylin derivative with improved physicochemical properties and retained similar pharmacological activity compared to free amylin and pramlintide. We have investigated the short- and long-term physicochemical compatibility of hAmy-PEG5k co-formulated with slow-acting human insulin analogs glargine or detemir. While human amylin promptly aggregates over a large range of pH, and both free and in the presence of regular, glargine or detemir insulin, the hAmy-PEG5k analog is stable at these conditions as shown by Thioflavin T (ThT) binding assay. When hAmy-PEG5k (100 or 500 µg/mL) was added to the commercial formulations of either insulin glargine or detemir (95 IU/mL), the combinations remained stable after 6 months stored at 4 °C, as probed by ThT, dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analyses, confirming the absence of amyloid fibers, minor aggregation products or loss of material. These results suggest hAmy-PEG5k and the insulin analogs glargine and detemir are physicochemically compatible and are candidate ready-to-use fixed-dose combinations.

Islet inflammation in type 2 diabetes

Metabolic diseases including type 2 diabetes are associated with meta-inflammation. β-Cell failure is a major component of the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes. It is now well established that increased numbers of innate immune cells, cytokines, and chemokines have detrimental effects on islets in these chronic conditions. Recently, evidence emerged which points to initially adaptive and restorative functions of inflammatory factors and immune cells in metabolism. In the following review, we provide an overview on the features of islet inflammation in diabetes and models of prediabetes. We separately emphasize what is known on islet inflammation in humans and focus on in vivo animal models and how they are used to elucidate mechanistic aspects of islet inflammation. Further, we discuss the recently emerging physiologic signaling role of cytokines during adaptation and normal function of islet cells.

Role and Cytotoxicity of Amylin and Protection of Pancreatic Islet β-Cells from Amylin Cytotoxicity

Amylin, (or islet amyloid polypeptide; IAPP), a 37-amino acid peptide hormone, is released in response to nutrients, including glucose, lipids or amino acids. Amylin is co-stored and co-secreted with insulin by pancreatic islet β-cells. Amylin inhibits food intake, delays gastric emptying, and decreases blood glucose levels, leading to the reduction of body weight. Therefore, amylin as well as insulin play important roles in controlling the level of blood glucose. However, human amylin aggregates and human amylin oligomers cause membrane disruption, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and mitochondrial damage. Since cytotoxicity of human amylin oligomers to pancreatic islet β-cells can lead to diabetes, the protection of pancreatic islet β cells from cytotoxic amylin is crucial. Human amylin oligomers also inhibit autophagy, although autophagy can function to remove amylin aggregates and damaged organelles. Small molecules, including β-sheet breaker peptides, chemical chaperones, and foldamers, inhibit and disaggregate amyloid formed by human amylin, suggesting the possible use of these small molecules in the treatment of diabetes. In this review, we summarize recent findings regarding the role and cytotoxicity of amylin and the protection of pancreatic islet β-cells from cytotoxicity of amylin.

Physico-chemical properties of co-formulated fast-acting insulin with pramlintide

Since the discovery of amylin its use has been discouraged by the inadequacy of the protocol involving multiple injections in addition to insulin. We aimed here to develop a combined fixed-dose formulation of pramlintide with fast-acting insulin. We have investigated the compatibility of regular and fast-acting insulin analogues (Aspart, Asp^B28, and LisPro, Lys^B28Pro^B29) with the amylin analogue pramlintide by using electrospray ionization - ion mobility spectrometry-mass spectrometry (ESI-IMS-MS), kinetic aggregation assays monitored by thioflavin T, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) in the evaluation of the aggregation product. Insulin interacts with pramlintide, forming heterodimers as probed by ESI-IMS-MS. While their interaction is likely to delay the amyloid aggregation of pramlintide in phosphate-buffered solution pH 7.0, they do not prevent aggregation at this condition. At acidic sodium acetate solution pH 5.0, combination of pramlintide and the fast-acting insulin analogues become stable against amyloid aggregation. The co-formulated product at high concentration of both pramlintide (600 μg/mL,150 μM) and LisPro insulin (50 IU/mL, 300 μM) showed also stability against amyloid aggregation. These data indicate the physico-chemical short-term stability of the co-formulated preparation of LisPro insulin with pramlintide, which could bring benefits for the combined therapy.

Localization of amylin-like immunoreactivity in the striped velvet gecko pancreas

Immunohistochemical techniques were employed to investigate the distribution of amylin-like immunoreactive cells in the pancreas of gecko Homopholis fasciata. Four types of endocrine cells were distinguished: insulin immunoreactive (B cells), pancreatic polypeptide immunoreactive (PP cells), glucagon and pancreatic polypeptide immunoreactive (A/PP cells) and somatostatin immunoreactive cells (D cells). Pancreatic islets contained B, A/PP and D cells, whereas extrainsular regions contained B, D and PP cells. In the pancreatic islets, amylin-like immunoreactive cells corresponded to B cells, but not to A/PP or D cells. In the extrainsular regions, amylin-like immunoreactive cells corresponded to either B or PP cells. Amylin secreted from intrainsular B cells may regulate pancreatic hormone secretion in an autocrine and/or a paracrine fashion. On the other hand, amylin secreted from extrainsular PP and B cells, and/or intrainsular B cells may participate in the modulation of calcium homoeostasis in an endocrine fashion.

Measurement of Pro-Islet Amyloid Polypeptide (1-48) in Diabetes and Islet Transplants

CONTEXT

Islet amyloid is a feature of β-cell failure in type 2 diabetes (T2D) and type 1 diabetes (T1D) recipients of islet transplants. Islet amyloid contains islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP; amylin), a circulating peptide that is produced in β cells by processing of its precursor, proIAPP1-67, via an intermediate form, proIAPP1-48. Elevated proinsulin to C-peptide ratios in the plasma of persons with diabetes suggest defects in β-cell prohormone processing.

OBJECTIVE

Determine whether plasma levels of precursor forms of IAPP are elevated in diabetes.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PATIENTS

We developed an immunoassay to detect proIAPP1-48 in human plasma, and we determined the ratio of proIAPP1-48 to mature IAPP in subjects with T1D, T2D, recipients of islet transplants, and healthy controls.

RESULTS

The proIAPP1-48 immunoassay had a limit of detection of 0.18 ± 0.06 pM and cross-reactivity with intact proIAPP1-67 <15%. Healthy individuals had plasma concentrations of proIAPP1-48 immunoreactivity of 1.5 ± 0.2 pM and a proIAPP1-48 to total IAPP ratio of 0.28 ± 0.03. Plasma concentrations of proIAPP1-48 immunoreactivity were not significantly different in subjects with T2D but were markedly increased in T1D recipients of islet transplants. Children and adults with T1D had reduced mature IAPP levels relative to age-matched controls but an elevated ratio of proIAPP1-48 to total IAPP.

CONCLUSION

The β cells in T1D and islet transplants have impaired processing of the proIAPP1-48 intermediate. The ratio of proIAPP1-48-to-IAPP immunoreactivity may have value as a biomarker of β-cell stress and dysfunction.

Loss of prohormone convertase 2 promotes beta cell dysfunction in a rodent transplant model expressing human pro-islet amyloid polypeptide

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

A contributor to beta cell failure in type 2 diabetes and islet transplants is amyloid formation by aggregation of the beta cell peptide, islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP). Similar to the proinsulin processing pathway that generates insulin, IAPP is derived from a prohormone precursor, proIAPP, which requires cleavage by prohormone convertase (PC) 1/3 and PC2 in rodent pancreatic beta cells. We hypothesised that loss of PC2 would promote beta cell death and dysfunction in a rodent model of human beta cell proIAPP overexpression.

METHODS

We generated an islet transplant model wherein immune-deficient mouse models of diabetes received islets expressing amyloidogenic human proIAPP and lacking PC2, leading to restoration of normoglycaemia accompanied by increased secretion of human proIAPP. Blood glucose levels were analysed for up to 16 weeks in transplant recipients and grafts were assessed for islet amyloid and beta cell number and death.

RESULTS

Hyperglycaemia (blood glucose >16.9 mmol/l) returned in 94% of recipients of islets expressing human proIAPP and lacking PC2, whereas recipients of islets that express human proIAPP and normal PC2 levels remained normoglycaemic for at least 16 weeks. Islet graft failure was accompanied by a ∼20% reduction in insulin-positive cells, yet the degree of amyloid deposition and beta cell apoptosis was similar to those of controls expressing human proIAPP with functional PC2 levels.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

PC2 deficiency in transplanted mouse islets expressing human proIAPP promotes beta cell loss and graft failure. Our data suggest that impaired NH₂-terminal processing and increased secretion of human proIAPP promote beta cell failure.

Amyloidogenesis of the amylin analogue pramlintide

Amylin is a pancreatic peptide hormone co-secreted along with insulin by the β-cells. It is found in amyloid deposits in both type 2 diabetic individuals and elder non-diabetic. The triple proline amylinomimetic compound (25,28,29-Pro-human amylin) named pramlintide was designed aiming to solve the solubility and amyloid characteristics of human amylin. We have found by using ion mobility spectrometry-based mass spectrometry that pramlintide is able to assembly into multimers. Pramlintide formed amyloid fibrils in vitro in a pH-dependent kinetic process within a few hours, as followed by thioflavin T, quantification of soluble peptide and further characterized by transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy and X-ray diffraction. These data indicate that pramlintide can form amyloid fibers.

Regulation of the assembly and amyloid aggregation of murine amylin by zinc

The secretory granule of the pancreatic β-cells is a zinc-rich environment copopulated with the hormones amylin and insulin. The human amylin is shown to interact with zinc ions with major contribution from the single histidine residue, which is absent in amylin from other species such as cat, rhesus and rodents. We report here the interaction of murine amylin with zinc ions in vitro. The self-assembly of murine amylin is tightly regulated by zinc and pH. Ion mobility mass spectrometry revealed zinc interaction with monomers and oligomers. Nuclear magnetic resonance confirms the binding of zinc to murine amylin. The aggregation process of murine amylin into amyloid fibrils is accelerated by zinc. Collectively these data suggest a general role of zinc in the modulation of amylin variants oligomerization and amyloid fibril formation.

Localization of amylin-like immunoreactivity in melanocyte-stimulating hormone-containing cells of the pars intermedia but not those of the pars distalis in the axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) pituitary

Immunohistochemical techniques were employed to investigate the distribution of amylin-like immunoreactivity in the axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) pituitary. Amylin-immunoreactive cells were observed in the pars intermedia, and these cells were found to be immunoreactive for α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (αMSH) as well. In contrast, αMSH-immunoreactive cells in the pars distalis were immuno-negaitive for amylin. These light microscopic findings were confirmed by immunoelectron microscopy. Amylin-immunoreactive signals were located on the haloes of presumable secretory granules in association with αMSH-immunoreactive signals in the amylin-positive cells. However, in the pars distalis, the αMSH-positive cells did not contain amylin-immunoreactive secretory granules. Western blot analysis of axolotl pituitary extracts revealed the labeling of a protein band at approximately 10.5-kDa by the anti-rat amylin serum, which was not labeled by the anti-αMSH antibody. These findings indicate that amylin secreted from MSH-producing cells in the pars intermedia may modulate MSH secretion in an autocrine fashion and may participate in MSH functions such as fatty homeostasis together with MSH.

Detection of Helical Intermediates During Amyloid Formation by Intrinsically Disordered Polypeptides and Proteins

Amyloid formation and aberrant protein aggregation are hallmarks of more than 30 different human diseases. The proteins that form amyloid can be divided into two structural classes: those that form compact, well-ordered, globular structures in their unaggregated state and those that are intrinsically disordered in their unaggregated states. The latter include the Aβ peptide of Alzheimer's disease, islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP, amylin) implicated in type 2 diabetes and α-synuclein, which is linked to Parkinson's disease. Work in the last 10 years has highlighted the potential role of pre-amyloid intermediates in cytotoxicity and has focused attention on their properties. A number of intrinsically disordered proteins appear to form helical intermediates during amyloid formation. We discuss the spectroscopic methods employed to detect and characterize helical intermediates in homogenous solution and in membrane-catalyzed amyloid formation, with the emphasis on the application of circular dichroism (CD). IAPP is used as an example, but the methods are generally applicable.

In Vitro Studies of Membrane Permeability Induced by Amyloidogenic Polypeptides Using Large Unilamellar Vesicles

The process of amyloid formation is cytotoxic and contributes to a wide range of human diseases, but the mechanisms of amyloid-induced cytotoxicity are not well understood. It has been proposed that amyloidogenic peptides exert their toxic effects by damaging membranes. Membrane disruption is clearly not the only mechanism of toxicity, but the literature suggests that loss of membrane integrity may be a contributing factor. In this chapter we describe the measurement of in vitro membrane leakage induced by amyloidogenic proteins via the use of model vesicles. We use islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP, amylin) as an example, but the methods are general.

Molecular Structure, Membrane Interactions, and Toxicity of the Islet Amyloid Polypeptide in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Human islet amyloid polypeptide (hIAPP) is the major component of the amyloid deposits found in the pancreatic islets of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Mature hIAPP, a 37-aa peptide, is natively unfolded in its monomeric state but forms islet amyloid in T2DM. In common with other misfolded and aggregated proteins, amyloid formation involves aggregation of monomers of hIAPP into oligomers, fibrils, and ultimately mature amyloid deposits. hIAPP is coproduced and stored with insulin by the pancreatic islet β-cells and is released in response to the stimuli that lead to insulin secretion. Accumulating evidence suggests that hIAPP amyloid deposits that accompany T2DM are not just an insignificant phenomenon derived from the disease progression but that hIAPP aggregation induces processes that impair the functionality and the viability of β-cells. In this review, we particularly focus on hIAPP structure, hIAPP aggregation, and hIAPP-membrane interactions. We will also discuss recent findings on the mechanism of hIAPP-membrane damage and on hIAPP-induced cell death. Finally, the development of successful antiamyloidogenic agents that prevent hIAPP fibril formation will be examined.

Islet Amyloid Polypeptide: Structure, Function, and Pathophysiology

The hormone islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP, or amylin) plays a role in glucose homeostasis but aggregates to form islet amyloid in type-2 diabetes. Islet amyloid formation contributes to β-cell dysfunction and death in the disease and to the failure of islet transplants. Recent work suggests a role for IAPP aggregation in cardiovascular complications of type-2 diabetes and hints at a possible role in type-1 diabetes. The mechanisms of IAPP amyloid formation in vivo or in vitro are not understood and the mechanisms of IAPP induced β-cell death are not fully defined. Activation of the inflammasome, defects in autophagy, ER stress, generation of reactive oxygen species, membrane disruption, and receptor mediated mechanisms have all been proposed to play a role. Open questions in the field include the relative importance of the various mechanisms of β-cell death, the relevance of reductionist biophysical studies to the situation in vivo, the molecular mechanism of amyloid formation in vitro and in vivo, the factors which trigger amyloid formation in type-2 diabetes, the potential role of IAPP in type-1 diabetes, the development of clinically relevant inhibitors of islet amyloidosis toxicity, and the design of soluble, bioactive variants of IAPP for use as adjuncts to insulin therapy.

Cholesterol modulates the interaction of the islet amyloid polypeptide with membranes

The deposition of insoluble amyloid fibrils resulting from the aggregation of the human islet amyloid polypeptide (hIAPP) within the islet of Langerhans is a pathological feature of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Increasing evidence indicates that biological membranes play a key role in amyloid aggregation, modulating among others the kinetics of amyloid formation, and being the target of toxic species generated during amyloid formation. In T2DM patients, elevated levels of cholesterol, an important determinant of the physical state of biological membranes, are observed in β-cells and are thought to directly impair β-cell function and insulin secretion. However, it is not known whether cholesterol enhances membrane-interaction or membrane-insertion of hIAPP. In this study, we investigated the effect of cholesterol incorporated in zwitterionic and anionic membranes. Our circular dichroism and liquid state NMR data reveal that 10-30% of cholesterol slightly affects the aggregational and conformational behaviour of hIAPP. Additional fluorescence results indicate that 10 and 20% of cholesterol slightly slow down the kinetics of oligomer and fibril formation while anionic lipids accelerate this kinetics. This behavior might be caused by differences in membrane insertion and therefore in membrane binding of hIAPP. The membrane binding affinity was evaluated using (1)H NMR experiments and our results show that the affinity of hIAPP for membranes containing cholesterol is significantly smaller than that for membranes containing anionic lipids. Furthermore, we found that hIAPP-induced membrane damage is synchronized to fibril formation in the absence and in the presence of cholesterol.

Amylin-like immunoreactivity in pancreatic X cells of the black-spotted frog Rana (Pelophylax) nigromaculata

tIn this study, we investigated the presence of ovoid or ellipsoidal amylin-immunoreactive cells of the pancreatic islets of the black-spotted frog Rana (Pelophylax) nigromaculata. Using double immunofluorescent staining, all amylin-immunoreactive cells were shown to be immuno-negative for insulin, glucagon, and somatostatin, and they were often observed in peripheral regions of clusters of insulin-immunoreactive cells. Under immunoelectron microscopy, amylin-immunoreactive signals were detected on the secretory granules in a specific type of endocrine cells. From our results, we conclude that the amylin-immunoreactive cells correspond to X cells among the 4 distinct types of endocrine cells (B, A/PP, D, and X) previously identified in the frog. Amylin secreted from X cells may regulate the hormone secretion from A/PP cells and/or B cells through a paracrine mechanism.

Islet amyloid: from fundamental biophysics to mechanisms of cytotoxicity

Pancreatic islet amyloid is a characteristic feature of type 2 diabetes. The major protein component of islet amyloid is the polypeptide hormone known as islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP, or amylin). IAPP is stored with insulin in the β-cell secretory granules and is released in response to the stimuli that lead to insulin secretion. IAPP is normally soluble and is natively unfolded in its monomeric state, but forms islet amyloid in type 2 diabetes. Islet amyloid is not the cause of type 2 diabetes, but it leads to β-cell dysfunction and cell death, and contributes to the failure of islet cell transplantation. The mechanism of IAPP amyloid formation is not understood and the mechanisms of cytotoxicity are not fully defined.

Distribution of pancreatic endocrine cells including IAPP-expressing cells in non-diabetic and type 2 diabetic cases

There is a lack of agreement on the distribution of islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) in the pancreases of healthy and diabetic subjects. Therefore, a detailed morphometrical and immunohistochemical study was performed to obtain information on the distribution of cells expressing insulin, glucagon, somatostatin, pancreatic polypeptide (PP), and IAPP in the pancreases of non-diabetic (n=4) and diabetic individuals (n=6). In the non-diabetic cases, beta-cells contributed to approximately 64%, alpha-cells to 26%, delta-cells to 8%, PP cells to 0.3%, and IAPP cells to 34% of the islet cell population. The ratio of IAPP/insulin was approximately 1:2. In diabetic cases, beta-cells were decreased by 24%, and IAPP was decreased by 57%. The alpha- and delta-cells were increased by 40% and 58%, respectively. IAPP/insulin ratio was decreased by 41%. Thus, only 50% of the beta-cells in non-diabetics and only 30% in diabetics coexpressed IAPP. In diabetics, more delta-cells coexpressed IAPP than in non-diabetics. The results seem to argue against the notion that the secretion of IAPP is increased in diabetics. It is possible that an increase in somatostatin and glucagon plays a greater role in diabetes than IAPP.

Does epidermal growth factor participate in the regulation of glucose, insulin and glucagon levels?

BACKGROUND/AIMS

The presence of receptors for epidermal growth factor (EGF) on beta cells in the rat pancreatic islets has been established, but the physiological role remains to be settled. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of EGF on glucose homeostasis.

METHODS

Fasted rats were treated with intraperitoneal injections of 10, 40 or 80 microg/kg body weight, either with EGF or 1% bovine serum albumin (controls). In a second experiment, fasted rats received an intraperitoneal injection of 1 mg glucose/kg body weight, followed by an injection of EGF or bovine serum albumin. Blood was drawn before the injections and at different time points afterwards. The plasma concentrations of glucose, insulin and glucagon were measured.

RESULTS

A modest elevation of the concentrations of glucose and insulin in plasma during the study was found in fasted rats in experiment 1. The increase in insulin concentration was attenuated by EGF, but after glucose injection this effect was reversed. Plasma glucagon levels were dose-dependently elevated by EGF and increased instead of decreased after glucose injection.

CONCLUSION

Our data suggest that EGF might play an important role in the regulation of glucagon secretion by preventing the lowering effect of glucose on plasma glucagon levels.

Regulation of amylin release from cultured rabbit gastric fundic mucosal cells

Background

Amylin (islet amyloid polypeptide) is a hormone with suggested roles in the regulation of glucose homeostasis, gastric motor and secretory function and gastroprotection. In the gastric mucosa amylin is found co-localised with somatostatin in D-cells. The factors regulating gastric amylin release are unknown. In this study we have investigated the regulation of amylin release from gastric mucosal cells in primary culture. Rabbit fundic mucosal cells enriched for D-cells by counterflow elutriation were cultured for 40 hours. Amylin and somatostatin release over 2 hours in response to agonists were assessed.

Results

Amylin release was significantly enhanced by activation of protein kinase C with phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate, adenylate cyclase with forskolin and elevation of intracellular calcium with A23187. Cholecystokinin (CCK), epinephrine and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) each stimulated amylin release in a dose-dependent manner. Maximal CCK-stimulated release was greater than either epinephrine or GLP-1, even when the effects of the latter two were enhanced by isobutylmethylxanthine. Stimulated amylin release was significantly inhibited by carbachol (by 51–59%) and octreotide (by 33–42%). Somatostatin release paralleled that of amylin.

Conclusions

The cultured D-cell model provides a means of studying amylin release. Amylin secretion is stimulated by receptor-dependent and -independent activation of Ca²⁺/protein kinase C and adenylate cyclase pathways. Inhibition involves activation of muscarinic receptors and auto-regulation by somatostatin.

Islet amyloid polypeptide inhibits glucagon release and exerts a dual action on insulin release from isolated islets

We have studied the influence of a wide concentration range of islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) on both glucagon and insulin release stimulated by various types of secretagogues. In an islet incubation medium devoid of glucose, the rate of glucagon release being high, we observed a marked suppressive action by low concentrations of IAPP, 10(-10) and 10(-8) M, on glucagon release. Similarly, glucagon release stimulated by L-arginine, the cholinergic agonist carbachol, or the phosphodiesterase inhibitor isobutylmethyl xanthine (IBMX), an activator of the cyclic AMP system, was inhibited by IAPP in the 10(-10) and 10(-8) M concentration range. Moreover, basal glucagon release at 7 and 10 mM glucose was suppressed by IAPP. In contrast, IAPP exerted a dual action on insulin release. Hence, low concentrations of IAPP brought about a modest increase of basal insulin secretion at 7 mM glucose and also of insulin release stimulated by carbachol. High concentrations of IAPP, however, inhibited insulin release stimulated by glucose (10 and 16.7 mM), IBMX, carbachol and L-arginine. In conclusion, our data suggest that IAPP has complex effects on islet hormone secretion serving as an inhibitor of glucagon release and having a dual action on insulin secretion exerting mainly a negative feedback on stimulated and a positive feedback on basal insulin release.

Salmon calcitonin - a potent inhibitor of food intake in states of impaired leptin signalling in laboratory rodents

To compare the anorectic effectiveness of leptin and the amylin analogue salmon calcitonin (sCT), rodents were treated on 1 day with subcutaneous injections. In chow-fed C57Bl/6J mice, leptin and sCT reduced energy intake and acted additively. After C57Bl/6J mice had become leptin-resistant on being fed chocolate as a palatable high-caloric supplement to chow, their sCT-induced decrease in energy intake was more pronounced than in chow-fed mice with differential changes in the intake of chocolate (strong reduction) and chow (slight increase). Dose-response relationships for sCT-induced reductions in energy intake were analysed in chow-fed C57Bl/6J mice and two obese strains, ob/ob mice and melanocortin-4 receptor knockout (MC4-r-KO) mice, as well as in wild-type and fatty (fa/fa) rats. Compared to C57Bl/6J mice, reduction in food intake induced by sCT was attenuated in MC4-r-KO mice, and nearly absent in ob/ob mice, over the dose range investigated. Compared to C57Bl/6J mice, wild-type rats responded more sensitively to sCT and its efficiency was only slightly reduced in fatty (fa/fa) rats. Thus, while genetically induced failures of leptin signalling reduce the action of sCT, it effectively inhibits the intake of a palatable, high fat-high sugar diet even in states of diet-induced obesity with functional leptin resistance.

Distribution of amylin-immunoreactive neurons in the monkey hypothalamus and their relationships with the histaminergic system

Amylin (AMY) is a 37 amino acid peptide of pancreatic origin that has been localized in peripheral and central nervous structures. Both peripheral and central injection of the peptide causes various effects, including anorectic behavior in rats. Prompted by previous reports showing that the anorectic effect of AMY is mediated by histamine release, we immunohistochemically investigated possible relationships between these two systems at the light microscopical level. Monkey (Macaca fuscata japonica) hypothalamus specimens were submitted to immunohistochemical double staining procedures using AMY and histidine decarboxylase (HDC) antisera. AMY-immunoreactive neurons were found widely distributed in several nuclei of the monkey hypothalamus including the supraoptic, paraventricular, perifornical, periventricular, ventromedial, arcuate, and tuberomammillary nuclei. We detected AMY-immunoreactive nerve fibers throughout the hypothalamus, the median eminence and hypothalamus-neurohypophysial tract. Although AMY- and HDC-immunoreactive neuronal cell bodies occupied distinct hypothalamic zones, many HDC-immunoreactive cell bodies and dendrites, particularly those in the periventricular, arcuate, and rostral tuberomammillary regions, were surrounded by numerous AMY-immunoreactive nerve fiber varicosities. These findings demonstrate for the first time the presence of a discrete number of AMY-immunoreactive neurons in the monkey hypothalamus and add morphological support to the experimental data demonstrating that AMY probably exerts its influence on food intake via the histaminergic system.

Immunohistochemical localization of amylin in rat brainstem

Immunohistochemical studies were conducted on rat brainstem using a specific polyclonal antiserum against the COOH-terminal (25-37) of human amylin. Amylin-immunoreactive cell bodies were observed in the vestibular, cochlear, trapezoid, and inner cerebellar nuclei and in the mesencephalic nucleus of trigeminal nerve. Positive cell bodies were also found in lateral, gigantocellular and magnocellular reticular nuclei. Numerous amylin-immunoreactive nerve fibers were shown in the trigeminal spinal tract, in the solitary area and in the area postrema. Amylin-immunoreactive cell bodies were often surrounded by a network of tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive nerve fibers. These results provide morphologic evidence that amylin may play a role in some discrete sensory functions.

Interaction of the renal amylin and renin-angiotensin systems in animal models of diabetes and hypertension

The range of known actions of amylin are reviewed together with the proposal that an important role for amylin may be the hormonal integration of diverse physiological systems activated with feeding. Major targets for the action of amylin are found within the kidney. Components of the amylin system (AS) have been shown to influence the activity of components of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), and vice versa, in normal, hypertensive and diabetic models. For instance, amylin injected into humans and rats elicits a rapid rise in plasma renin activity. Furthermore, in two models of hypertension (the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) and the model with subtotal nephrectomy (STNx)), the density of amylin-binding sites in the renal cortex associated with the proximal tubules, was associated with elevation of blood pressure. In normotensive controls and in the STNx model, but not in the SHR model, treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors reduced blood pressure and the density of amylin binding in the renal cortex. In Sprague-Dawley rats, angiotensin II (Ang II) infusion was associated with increased density of amylin-binding sites as well as elevated blood pressure. Thus, there appears to be a direct relationship between the activity of Ang II and the binding sites for amylin in the renal cortex. From these studies it has been postulated that the activation of the AS in the kidney may play a role in the genesis and/or development of hypertension in certain contexts. The transient expression of amylin mRNA has been detected perinatally, using in situ hybridization, in the subnephrogenic zone of the metanephros and is associated with proximal tubules of the developing nephron. These cells situated close to the glomeruli, represent a subset of brush border epithelial cells. Amylin immunoreactivity (IR) is also found in these cells and colocalizes with angiotensinogen IR. Thus a second important role for amylin is described in which it plays a role as a growth factor in the developing kidney and in renal regrowth in the adult kidney. In a model of IDDM (streptozotocin diabetes), amylin and angiotensinogen IR are both restricted to a subset of brush border epithelial cells close to glomeruli which, in the developing kidney, expressed amylin mRNA. Thus in this IDDM model, we hypothesize that amylin mRNA transcription which is normally downregulated in the adult, is upregulated in this subset of these brush border epithelial cells, and that it stimulates the activity of a local RAS by an intracellular mechanism, leading to the biosynthesis of Ang II. It remains to be determined that if amylin is playing a role in stimulating local Ang II production at these sites, this provides a mechanism for activation of TGF-beta, ultimately leading to interstitial fibrosis.

Pancreatic cancer cells selectively stimulate islet beta cells to secrete amylin

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma have a high incidence of diabetes, profound insulin resistance, and high circulating amylin concentrations. It was hypothesized that pancreatic cancer cells produce a factor that stimulates islets to secrete amylin but not insulin.

METHODS

Amylin and insulin secretion were measured after coculture of pancreatic cancer cells with beta cells (BRIN-BD11). The factor responsible was characterized by exposing beta cells to cancer cell-conditioned medium.

RESULTS

Coculture with pancreatic (PANC-1 HPAF, and MiaPaCa2) but not colonic cancer cells (Colo 320) significantly increased amylin secretion but did not change insulin output. This effect was both time and cell number dependent. Coculture with PANC-1 or HPAF cells significantly decreased intracellular amylin, but not insulin, content. PANC-1 or HPAF cell-conditioned medium also increased amylin secretion and decreased intracellular amylin content. The factor responsible was extracted under both neutral and acidic conditions, was heat labile, and had a molecular weight of approximately 1500.

CONCLUSIONS

A soluble factor from pancreatic cancer cells selectively stimulates amylin secretion from islet cells, explaining the excessive amylin secretion found in pancreatic cancer. Because elevation of amylin concentration is an early feature of pancreatic cancer, characterization and measurement of the tumor-derived amylin-releasing factor might be valuable in the early detection of this disease.

Effect of islet amyloid polypeptide on somatostatin inhibition of insulin secretion from isolated rat pancreatic islets

In this study, we investigated the presence of islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) in somatostatin cells of rat endocrine pancreas and the effect of exogenous IAPP and somatostatin, separate or combined, on in vitro insulin secretion. By immunocytochemistry, IAPP was found in both B and D cells of rat pancreatic islets. Furthermore, the labeling density of IAPP in D cells was nearly four times higher than in B cells. After a 2-day preincubation in RPMI 1640 (11.1 mM glucose), isolated rat pancreatic islets were exposed to IAPP and/or somatostatin for 90 min in modified Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate (KRB) buffers containing 11.1 or 22.2 mM glucose, or 11.1 mM glucose + 10 mM L-arginine, respectively. At 11.1 mM glucose, insulin secretion was not affected by IAPP and/or somatostatin at concentrations investigated. Insulin response to 22.2 mM glucose was inhibited by exogenous somatostatin. Arginine-stimulated insulin secretion was also inhibited by somatostatin, and the effect was significantly potentiated with additional 10(-5) M IAPP. The study shows that rat pancreatic D cells have higher IAPP density than B cells in the same islets and that IAPP and somatostatin may cooperate on rat pancreatic B cells to regulate the insulin secretion in response to potent stimulation.

Dissociated secretion of islet amyloid polypeptide and insulin in serum-free culture media conditioned by human pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell lines

CONCLUSION

The cosecretion of insulin and islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) is altered when isolated rat pancreatic islets are incubated in culture media conditioned by human pancreatic cancer cells.

BACKGROUND

Pancreatic cancer is usually associated with impaired glucose tolerance. This study investigates the tumor-derived influence on beta-cell secretion of pancreatic islets.

METHODS

Four conditioned media were prepared from two human pancreatic cancer cell lines (Panc-1 and HPAF), a hamster pancreatic cancer cell line (PC-1), and a fibroblast cell line (Ag1523). Isolated rat pancreatic islets were incubated first in the conditioned media or nonconditioned control medium for 24 h, then in the same kind of media containing 100 microM carbamylcholine for 90 min. Insulin and IAPP secretion were measured by radioimmunoassay.

RESULTS

Islets in media conditioned by Panc-1 and HPAF cells demonstrated dissociation of insulin and IAPP secretion. During 24-h incubation, the dissociation was expressed as selectively decreased insulin secretion. With addition of 100 microM carbamylcholine, the dissociation was expressed as normal secretion of insulin and hypersecretion of IAPP. As a result, the IAPP/insulin molar ratios were increased in both groups during both time periods. The islets in PC-1 and Ag1523 media did not show any significant changes in insulin and IAPP secretion.

Glucose regulation of islet amyloid polypeptide gene expression in rat pancreatic islets

Intracellular pathways by which glucose regulates islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) gene expression in pancreatic islets were studied. IAPP mRNA levels were threefold higher in islets cultured with 16.7 mM glucose compared with control (5.5 mM glucose). Mannose and amino acids but not 2-deoxyglucose or 6-deoxyglucose mimicked the effect of glucose. Mannoheptulose (a glycolysis inhibitor) and verapamil and diazoxide (which affect calcium signaling pathway) abolished the difference in islet IAPP mRNA content between high and low glucose. At low glucose, IAPP mRNA levels were increased 1.9-fold in islets treated with forskolin or dibutyryl adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (DBcAMP) but not with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate. Insulin mRNA levels were 1.6-fold higher in islets cultured at high glucose than controls; glucose metabolism was required, whereas no effects of cAMP or diazoxide were observed. IAPP and insulin were cosecreted into the media. We conclude that glucose regulation of IAPP mRNA abundance requires intracellular metabolism of the hexose and that calcium may serve as a mediator of this effect; cAMP but not protein kinase C possibly participates in this regulation.

Regulation of glycosylphosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase D secretion from beta TC3 cells

Glycosylphosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase D (GPI-PLD) is abundant in mammalian serum, but the source of the circulating enzyme is unknown. Pancreatic islets have been reported to contain and secrete GPI-PLD. In this report we examined the regulation of GPI-PLD secretion from beta TC3 cells, a mouse insulinoma cell line. In the absence of glucose, phorbol myristic acid (0.1 microM) stimulated insulin secretion by 2.5-fold and GPI-PLD secretion by 2-fold. Carbachol (5 microM), glucagon-like peptide I-(7-36) amide (0.1 microM), and isobutylmethylxanthine (0.1 mM) had no significant effect on insulin or GPI-PLD secretion in the absence of glucose. Glucose (16.7 mM) stimulated both GPI-PLD and insulin secretion from beta TC3 cells by 55% and 235%, respectively. In addition, glucose potentiated the secretagogue effect of isobutylmethylxanthine, phorbol myristic acid, and glucagon-like peptide I on both insulin and GPI-PLD secretion. By immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy, beta TC3 cells contain both insulin and GPI-PLD, which generally colocalized intracellularly. However, GPI-PLD secretion differed from insulin secretion by a higher rate of basal release (2.8% vs. 0.23%/h), a lower magnitude of response to secretagogues, and a more prolonged period of increased secretion. These results demonstrate that beta TC3 cells secrete GPI-PLD in response to insulin secretagogues and suggest that GPI-PLD may be secreted via the regulated pathway in these cells.

Islet amyloid polypeptide in the gut and pancreas: localization, ontogeny and gut motility effects

The occurrence of islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) in the gut and pancreas of several species and during ontogeny of the rat, was studied using immunocytochemistry. Effects of IAPP on rat ileal smooth muscle were assessed in vitro. Islets of most, but not all, species examined, displayed IAPP in insulin cells and, in some species, also in somatostatin- and peptide YY (PYY)-containing cells. In the gut, expression of IAPP varied among species; when present, IAPP was most abundant in the proximal part and co-localized with somatostatin, PYY, gastrin/cholecystokinin, enteroglucagon or serotonin. IAPP was first demonstrated at embryonic day 12 and 16 in islet and gastrointestinal endocrine cells, respectively. IAPP relaxed gut muscle and reduced electrical field stimulation-evoked contractions, presumably by inhibiting acetylcholine release. Thus, IAPP expression in islets is consistent with an important role for IAPP in fuel metabolism; the gastrointestinal expression and motor effects of IAPP suggest that IAPP may modulate gastrointestinal function.

Islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) secretion from pancreatic islets isolated from non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice

The secretion of islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) during the course of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) is essentially unknown. In the present study we elucidated this issue by examining IAPP and insulin secretion from isolated pancreatic islets obtained from IDDM-prone female NOD mice aged 6-9 weeks and 12-15 weeks and from non-IDDM-prone male NMRI mice. Basal islet hormone secretion at 1.7 mM glucose and after stimulation with 17 mM glucose or with 17 mM glucose + 5 mM theophylline was studied acutely or after 1 week of tissue culture. The levels of glucose-stimulated insulin release from NOD mouse islets increased after tissue culture, whereas it remained unchanged in NMRI mouse islets. Overall changes in islet insulin secretion were accompanied by similar changes in IAPP secretion. Acute after isolation, islets from NMRI mice displayed a reduced IAPP/insulin secretion ratio in response to the stimulation, which could reflect a destabilized hormone release. When the NOD mouse islets at 6-9 weeks of age were exposed to secretory stimuli the molar ratio of IAPP/insulin secretion declined. At a later stage of advanced insulitis (12-15 weeks) also the basal IAPP/insulin secretory ratio at low glucose tended to decline. If extrapolated to the early prediabetic phase of human IDDM, this would mean that a relative hypersecretion of insulin in relation to IAPP might occur, due to an increased secretory demand for insulin or due to an intrinsic change in the biology of the secretory cells.

Islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) in patients with neuroendocrine tumours

Although IAPP was first discovered and isolated from amyloid deposits in an endocrine pancreatic tumour (EPT), surprisingly few reports have investigated the potential use of IAPP as a marker for neuroendocrine tumour growth. In this study we present results from plasma measurements of IAPP in 102 patients with neuroendocrine tumours. Four of 35 patients (11%) with midgut carcinoid tumours, but none of the patients (4 and 5, respectively) with lung carcinoids or with rectal carcinoids displayed elevated plasma levels of IAPP. Five of 31 patients (16%) with sporadic EPT and 3 of 27 patients (11%) with EPT and multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 syndrome disclosed elevated IAPP levels. Within the different syndromes, 1/11 individuals with insulinoma, 2/16 with gastrinoma, 0/2 with glucagonoma, 0/3 with VIPoma and 5/26 with non-functioning tumours showed elevated plasma levels of IAPP. In two patients, the plasma IAPP levels were extremely elevated. These patients also exhibited altered glucose homeostasis. In response to a standardised mixed meal test, IAPP increased in parallel to the insulin, pancreatic polypeptide, gastrin and glucose responses. In MEN1 patients with hypercalcaemia due to increased secretion of parathyroid hormone, the plasma levels of IAPP were significantly higher before than after surgical removal of the parathyroid adenomas. However in normocalcaemic patients, no correlation between the blood calcium and plasma IAPP levels was found. Immunocytochemical staining of tumour tissue showed that 9/13 (69%) of insulin producing tumours, 4/14 (29%) of non-functioning tumours and 1/9 (11%) of gastrin producing tumours were IAPP immunoreactive. Amyloid deposits were always IAPP immunoreactive. In conclusion, increased circulating levels of IAPP occurred in 12% of 102 patients with neuroendocrine tumours. In 2 patients with extremely elevated plasma levels of IAPP, effects on glucose homeostasis were recorded. Thus, IAPP may be useful as an additional marker for neuroendocrine tumour growth in selected cases.

Chronic exposure of cultured rat pancreatic islets to elevated concentrations of islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) causes a decrease in islet DNA content and medium insulin accumulation

The biological action of islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) remains to be established, although a role for IAPP in causing beta-cell failure in diabetes has been proposed. Acute in vitro experiments with IAPP have given controversial results as to beta-cell insulin secretion. We have studied the effect of a long-term exposure of pancreatic islets to elevated IAPP concentrations. Thus, rat pancreatic islets were cultured for 4 days in medium supplemented with 0, 0.1, 1, 10, 100 or 1000 nM of synthetic amidated rat IAPP. Islets exposed to the two highest IAPP concentrations contained about 20% less DNA, whereas the rate of DNA synthesis was unchanged. Culture with 1000 nM IAPP, but not the lower concentrations of the peptide, slightly decreased the glucose oxidation rate. There was a correlation between increasing IAPP concentrations and and a decline in the medium insulin accumulation. The preceding IAPP exposure did, however, neither significantly affect basal and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion nor (pro)insulin and total protein biosynthesis rates, when tested after the culture. The finding of a decreased islet cell DNA content after culture with elevated IAPP concentrations suggests a toxic action to islet cells, whereas a putative inhibition of the islet insulin production appears to be transient.

Islet amyloid polypeptide is expressed in endocrine cells of the gastric mucosa in the rat and mouse

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) or amylin is a novel islet hormone candidate with a suggested role in the regulation of glucose homeostasis and the pathogenesis of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. Occurrence of IAPP in the gastrointestinal tract of rats and humans has also been shown. The expression of IAPP in the stomach of the rat and mouse and the possible colocalization of IAPP and known gastric hormones were investigated in this study.

METHODS

In situ hybridization, immunofluorescence, and combined in situ hybridization and immunocytochemistry were used.

RESULTS

IAPP messenger RNA and IAPP-like immunoreactivity were shown in the same endocrine cells in the antrum and fundus of the rat and in the antrum of the mouse. IAPP was expressed in a major population of somatostatin-immunoreactive cells as well as in small populations of gastrin- and peptide YY-immunoreactive cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results establish the synthesis and storage of IAPP in gastric endocrine cells in the rat and mouse. The extensive colocalization of IAPP with somatostatin and to a lesser extent with gastrin and peptide YY suggests that IAPP may modulate endocrine activity in the gastric mucosa in a paracrine and/or autocrine mode.