Mitochondrial signal transduction in pancreatic β-cells

Transcriptomic analysis reveals the crosstalk between type 2 diabetes and chronic pancreatitis

Background and Aims

Mounting evidence highlights a strong association between chronic pancreatitis (CP) and type 2 diabetes (T2D), although the exact mechanism of interaction remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the crosstalk genes and pathogenesis between CP and T2D.

Methods

Transcriptomic gene expression profiles of CP and T2D were extracted from Gene Expression Omnibus, respectively, and the common differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were subsequently identified. Further analysis, such as Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), protein-protein interaction, transcription factors (TFs), microRNA (miRNAs), and candidate chemicals identification, was performed to explore the possible common signatures between the two diseases.

Results

In total, we acquired 281 common DEGs by interacting CP and T2D datasets, and identified 10 hub genes using CytoHubba. GO and KEGG analyses revealed that endoplasmic reticulum stress and mitochondrial dysfunction were closely related to these common DEGs. Among the shared genes, EEF2, DLD, RAB5A, and SLC30A9 showed promising diagnostic value for both diseases based on receiver operating characteristic curve and precision-recall curves. Additionally, we identified 16 key TFs and 16 miRNAs that were strongly correlated with the hub genes, which may serve as new molecular targets for CP and T2D. Finally, candidate chemicals that might become potential drugs for treating CP and T2D were screened out.

Conclusion

This study provides evidence that there are shared genes and pathological signatures between CP and T2D. The genes EEF2, DLD, RAB5A, and SLC30A9 have been identified as having the highest diagnostic efficiency and could be served as biomarkers for these diseases, providing new insights into precise diagnosis and treatment for CP and T2D.

A composite capsule strategy to support longevity of microencapsulated pancreatic β cells

Pancreatic islet microencapsulation allows transplantation of insulin producing cells in absence of systemic immunosuppression, but graft survival is still limited. In vivo studies have demonstrated that many islet-cells die in the immediate period after transplantation. Here we test whether intracapsular inclusion of ECM components (collagen IV and RGD) with necrostatin-1 (Nec-1), as well as amino acids (AA) have protective effects on islet survival. Also, the inclusion of pectin was tested as it enhances the mitochondrial health of β-cells. To enhance the longevity of encapsulated islets, we studied the impact of the incorporation of the mentioned components into the alginate-based microcapsules in vitro. The efficacy of the different composite microcapsules on MIN6 β-cell or human islet-cell survival and function, as well as suppression of DAMP-induced immune activation, were determined. Finally, we examined the mitochondrial dynamic genes. This was done in the absence and presence of a cytokine cocktail. Here, we found that composite microcapsules of APENAA improved insulin secretion and enhanced the mitochondrial activity of β-cells. Under cytokine exposure, they prevented the cytokine-induced decrease of mitochondrial activity as well as viability till day 5. The rescuing effects of the composite capsules were accompanied by alleviated mitochondrial dynamic gene expression. The composite capsule strategy of APENAA might support the longevity of microencapsulated β-cells by lowering susceptibility to inflammatory stress. Our data demonstrate that combining strategies to support β-cells by changing the intracapsular microenvironment might be an effective way to preserve islet graft longevity in the immediate period after transplantation.

Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidative Phytogenic Substances against Secret Killers in Poultry: Current Status and Prospects

Chronic stress is recognized as a secret killer in poultry. It is associated with systemic inflammation due to cytokine release, dysbiosis, and the so-called leaky gut syndrome, which mainly results from oxidative stress reactions that damage the barrier function of the cells lining the gut wall. Poultry, especially the genetically selected broiler breeds, frequently suffer from these chronic stress symptoms when exposed to multiple stressors in their growing environments. Since oxidative stress reactions and inflammatory damages are multi-stage and long-term processes, overshooting immune reactions and their down-stream effects also negatively affect the animal's microbiota, and finally impair its performance and commercial value. Means to counteract oxidative stress in poultry and other animals are, therefore, highly welcome. Many phytogenic substances, including flavonoids and phenolic compounds, are known to exert anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. In this review, firstly, the main stressors in poultry, such as heat stress, mycotoxins, dysbiosis and diets that contain oxidized lipids that trigger oxidative stress and inflammation, are discussed, along with the key transcription factors involved in the related signal transduction pathways. Secondly, the most promising phytogenic substances and their current applications to ameliorate oxidative stress and inflammation in poultry are highlighted.

Inclusion of extracellular matrix molecules and necrostatin-1 in the intracapsular environment of alginate-based microcapsules synergistically protects pancreatic β cells against cytokine-induced inflammatory stress

Immunoisolation of pancreatic islets in alginate-based microcapsules is a promising approach for grafting of islets in absence of immunosuppression. However, loss and damage to the extracellular matrix (ECM) during islet isolation enhance susceptibility of islets for inflammatory stress. In this study, a combined strategy was applied to reduce this stress by incorporating ECM components (collagen type IV/RGD) and necroptosis inhibitor, necrostatin-1 (Nec-1) in alginate-based microcapsules in vitro. To demonstrate efficacy, viability and function of MIN6 β-cells and human islets in capsules with collagen type IV/RGD and/or Nec-1 was investigated in presence and absence of IL-1β, IFN-γ and TNF-α. The combination of collagen type IV/RGD and Nec-1 had higher protective effects than the molecules alone. Presence of collagen type IV/RGD and Nec-1 in the intracapsular environment reduced cytokine-induced overproduction of free radical species and unfavorable shifts in mitochondrial dynamics. In addition, the ECM components collagen type IV/RGD prevented a cytokine induced suppression of the FAK/Akt pathway. Our data indicate that the inclusion of collagen type IV/RGD and Nec-1 in the intracapsular environment prevents islet-cell loss when exposed to inflammatory stress, which might contribute to higher survival of β-cells in the immediate period after transplantation. This approach of inclusion of stress reducing agents in the intracapsular environment of immunoisolating devices may be an effective way to enhance the longevity of encapsulated islet grafts. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Islet-cells in immunoisolated alginate-based microcapsules are very susceptible to inflammatory stress which impacts long-term survival of islet grafts. Here we show that incorporation of ECM components (collagen type IV/RGD) and necrostatin-1 (Nec-1) in the intracapsular environment of alginate-based capsules attenuates this susceptibility and promotes islet-cell survival. This effect induced by collagen type IV/RGD and Nec-1 was probably due to lowering free radical production, preventing mitochondrial dysfunction and by maintaining ECM/integrin/FAK/Akt signaling and Nec-1/RIP1/RIP3 signaling. Our study provides an effective strategy to extend longevity of islet grafts which might be of great potential for future clinical application of immunoisolated cells.

Quantitative Variation in m.3243A > G Mutation Produce Discrete Changes in Energy Metabolism

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) 3243A > G tRNALeu^(UUR) heteroplasmic mutation (m.3243A > G) exhibits clinically heterogeneous phenotypes. While the high mtDNA heteroplasmy exceeding a critical threshold causes mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis with stroke-like episodes (MELAS) syndrome, the low mtDNA heteroplasmy causes maternally inherited diabetes with or without deafness (MIDD) syndrome. How quantitative differences in mtDNA heteroplasmy produces distinct pathological states has remained elusive. Here we show that despite striking similarities in the energy metabolic gene expression signature, the mitochondrial bioenergetics, biogenesis and fuel catabolic functions are distinct in cells harboring low or high levels of the m.3243 A > G mutation compared to wild type cells. We further demonstrate that the low heteroplasmic mutant cells exhibit a coordinate induction of transcriptional regulators of the mitochondrial biogenesis, glucose and fatty acid metabolism pathways that lack in near homoplasmic mutant cells compared to wild type cells. Altogether, these results shed new biological insights on the potential mechanisms by which low mtDNA heteroplasmy may progressively cause diabetes mellitus.

Protein malnutrition blunts the increment of taurine transporter expression by a high-fat diet and impairs taurine reestablishment of insulin secretion

Taurine (Tau) restores β-cell function in obesity; however, its action is lost in malnourished obese rodents. Here, we investigated the mechanisms involved in the lack of effects of Tau in this model. C57BL/6 mice were fed a control diet (CD) (14% protein) or a protein-restricted diet (RD) (6% protein) for 6 wk. Afterward, mice received a high-fat diet (HFD) for 8 wk [CD + HFD (CH) and RD + HFD (RH)] with or without 5% Tau supplementation after weaning on their drinking water [CH + Tau (CHT) and RH + Tau (RHT)]. The HFD increased insulin secretion through mitochondrial metabolism in CH and RH. Tau prevented all those alterations in CHT only. The expression of the taurine transporter (Tau-T), as well as Tau content in pancreatic islets, was increased in CH but had no effect on RH. Protein malnutrition programs β cells and impairs Tau-induced restoration of mitochondrial metabolism and biogenesis. This may be associated with modulation of the expression of Tau-T in pancreatic islets, which may be responsible for the absence of effect of Tau in protein-malnourished obese mice.-Branco, R. C. S., Camargo, R. L., Batista, T. M., Vettorazzi, J. F., Borck, P. C., dos Santos-Silva, J. C. R., Boschero, A. C., Zoppi, C. C., Carneiro, E. M. Protein malnutrition blunts the increment of taurine transporter expression by a high-fat diet and impairs taurine reestablishment of insulin secretion.

Inhibition of SCD1 impairs palmitate-derived autophagy at the step of autophagosome-lysosome fusion in pancreatic β-cells

Autophagy is indispensable for the proper architecture and flawless functioning of pancreatic β-cells. A growing body of evidence indicates reciprocal communication between autophagic pathways, apoptosis, and intracellular lipids. The way in which elevated levels of free saturated or unsaturated FAs contribute to progressive β-cell failure remains incompletely understood. Stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD)1, a key regulatory enzyme in biosynthesis of MUFAs, was shown to play an important role in regulation of β-cell function. Here, we investigated whether SCD1 activity is engaged in palmitate-induced pancreatic β-cell autophagy. We found augmented apoptosis and diminished autophagy upon cotreatment of INS-1E cells with palmitate and an SCD1 inhibitor. Furthermore, we found that additional treatment of the cells with monensin, an inhibitor of autophagy at the step of fusion, exacerbates palmitate-induced apoptosis. Accordingly, diminished SCD1 activity affected the accumulation, composition, and saturation status of cellular membrane phospholipids and neutral lipids. Such an effect was accompanied by aberrant endoplasmic reticulum stress, mitochondrial injury, and decreases in insulin secretion and cell proliferation. Our data reveal a novel mechanism by which the inhibition of SCD1 activity affects autophagosome-lysosome fusion because of perturbations in cellular membrane integrity, thus leading to an aberrant stress response and β-cell failure.

Streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetes in rodents as a model for studying mitochondrial mechanisms of diabetic β cell glucotoxicity

Chronic hyperglycemia and the corresponding glucotoxicity are the main pathogenic mechanisms of diabetes and its complications. Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic animal models are useful platforms for the understanding of β cell glucotoxicity in diabetes. As diabetes induced by a single STZ injection is often referred to as type 1 diabetes that is caused by STZ's partial destruction of pancreas, one question often being asked is whether the STZ type 1 diabetes animal model is a good model for studying the mitochondrial mechanisms of β cell glucotoxicity. In this mini review, we provide evidence garnered from the literature that the STZ type 1 diabetes is indeed a suitable model for studying mitochondrial mechanisms of diabetic β cell glucotoxicity. Evidence presented includes: 1) continued β cell derangement is due to chronic hyperglycemia after STZ is completely eliminated out of the body; 2) STZ diabetes can be reversed by insulin treatment, which indicates that β cell responds to treatment and shows ability to regenerate; and 3) STZ diabetes can be ameliorated or alleviated by administration of phytochemicals. In addition, mechanisms of STZ action and fundamental gaps in understanding mitochondrial mechanisms of β cell dysfunction are also discussed.

Roles of Pyruvate, NADH, and Mitochondrial Complex I in Redox Balance and Imbalance in β Cell Function and Dysfunction

Pancreatic β cells not only use glucose as an energy source, but also sense blood glucose levels for insulin secretion. While pyruvate and NADH metabolic pathways are known to be involved in regulating insulin secretion in response to glucose stimulation, the roles of many other components along the metabolic pathways remain poorly understood. Such is the case for mitochondrial complex I (NADH/ubiquinone oxidoreductase). It is known that normal complex I function is absolutely required for episodic insulin secretion after a meal, but the role of complex I in β cells in the diabetic pancreas remains to be investigated. In this paper, we review the roles of pyruvate, NADH, and complex I in insulin secretion and hypothesize that complex I plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of β cell dysfunction in the diabetic pancreas. This hypothesis is based on the establishment that chronic hyperglycemia overloads complex I with NADH leading to enhanced complex I production of reactive oxygen species. As nearly all metabolic pathways are impaired in diabetes, understanding how complex I in the β cells copes with elevated levels of NADH in the diabetic pancreas may provide potential therapeutic strategies for diabetes.