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Hædersdal S, Andersen A, Knop FK, Vilsbøll T. Revisiting the role of glucagon in health, diabetes mellitus and other metabolic diseases. Nat Rev Endocrinol 2023; 19:321-335. [PMID: 36932176 DOI: 10.1038/s41574-023-00817-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023]
Abstract
Insulin and glucagon exert opposing effects on glucose metabolism and, consequently, pancreatic islet β-cells and α-cells are considered functional antagonists. The intra-islet hypothesis has previously dominated the understanding of glucagon secretion, stating that insulin acts to inhibit the release of glucagon. By contrast, glucagon is a potent stimulator of insulin secretion and has been used to test β-cell function. Over the past decade, α-cells have received increasing attention due to their ability to stimulate insulin secretion from neighbouring β-cells, and α-cell-β-cell crosstalk has proven central for glucose homeostasis in vivo. Glucagon is not only the counter-regulatory hormone to insulin in glucose metabolism but also glucagon secretion is more susceptible to changes in the plasma concentration of certain amino acids than to changes in plasma concentrations of glucose. Thus, the actions of glucagon also include a central role in amino acid turnover and hepatic fat oxidation. This Review provides insights into glucagon secretion, with a focus on the local paracrine actions on glucagon and the importance of α-cell-β-cell crosstalk. We focus on dysregulated glucagon secretion in obesity, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Lastly, the future potential of targeting hyperglucagonaemia and applying dual and triple receptor agonists with glucagon receptor-activating properties in combination with incretin hormone receptor agonism is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofie Hædersdal
- Clinical Research, Copenhagen University Hospital - Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen, Herlev, Denmark.
- Center for Clinical Metabolic Research, Copenhagen University Hospital - Herlev and Gentofte, Hellerup, Denmark.
| | - Andreas Andersen
- Clinical Research, Copenhagen University Hospital - Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen, Herlev, Denmark
- Center for Clinical Metabolic Research, Copenhagen University Hospital - Herlev and Gentofte, Hellerup, Denmark
| | - Filip K Knop
- Clinical Research, Copenhagen University Hospital - Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen, Herlev, Denmark
- Center for Clinical Metabolic Research, Copenhagen University Hospital - Herlev and Gentofte, Hellerup, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Tina Vilsbøll
- Clinical Research, Copenhagen University Hospital - Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen, Herlev, Denmark.
- Center for Clinical Metabolic Research, Copenhagen University Hospital - Herlev and Gentofte, Hellerup, Denmark.
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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Guerriero I, De Angelis MT, D'Angelo F, Leveque R, Savignano E, Roberto L, Lucci V, Mazzone P, Laurino S, Storto G, Nardelli A, Sgambato A, Ceccarelli M, De Felice M, Amendola E, Falco G. Exploring the Molecular Crosstalk between Pancreatic Bud and Mesenchyme in Embryogenesis: Novel Signals Involved. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20194900. [PMID: 31623299 PMCID: PMC6811752 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20194900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2019] [Revised: 09/23/2019] [Accepted: 09/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic organogenesis is a multistep process that requires the cooperation of several signaling pathways. In this context, the role of pancreatic mesenchyme is important to define the epithelium development; nevertheless, the precise space–temporal signaling activation still needs to be clarified. This study reports a dissection of the pancreatic embryogenesis, highlighting the molecular network surrounding the epithelium–mesenchyme interaction. To investigate this crosstalk, pancreatic epithelium and surrounding mesenchyme, at embryonic day 10.5, were collected through laser capture microdissection (LCM) and characterized based on their global gene expression. We performed a bioinformatic analysis to hypothesize crosstalk interactions, validating the most promising genes and verifying the precise localization of their expression in the compartments, by RNA in situ hybridization (ISH). Our analyses pointed out also the c-Met gene, a very well-known factor involved in stimulating motility, morphogenesis, and organ regeneration. We also highlighted the potential crosstalk between Versican (Vcan) and Syndecan4 (Sdc4) since these genes are involved in pancreatic tissue repair, strengthening the concept that the same signaling pathways required during pancreatic embryogenesis are also involved in tissue repair. This finding leads to novel strategies for obtaining functional pancreatic stem cells for cell replacement therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Guerriero
- Istituto di RicercheGenetiche G. Salvatore, Biogems.c.ar.l, ArianoIrpino, 83031 Avellino, Italy.
| | - Maria Teresa De Angelis
- Istituto di RicercheGenetiche G. Salvatore, Biogems.c.ar.l, ArianoIrpino, 83031 Avellino, Italy.
| | - Fulvio D'Angelo
- Istituto di RicercheGenetiche G. Salvatore, Biogems.c.ar.l, ArianoIrpino, 83031 Avellino, Italy.
| | - Rita Leveque
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Universita' degliStudi di Napoli, Federico II, 80126 Napoli, Italy.
| | - Eleonora Savignano
- Istituto di RicercheGenetiche G. Salvatore, Biogems.c.ar.l, ArianoIrpino, 83031 Avellino, Italy.
| | - Luca Roberto
- Istituto di RicercheGenetiche G. Salvatore, Biogems.c.ar.l, ArianoIrpino, 83031 Avellino, Italy.
| | - Valeria Lucci
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Universita' degliStudi di Napoli, Federico II, 80126 Napoli, Italy.
| | - Pellegrino Mazzone
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Universita' degliStudi di Napoli, Federico II, 80126 Napoli, Italy.
| | - Simona Laurino
- IRCCS-Referral Cancer Center of Basilicata (CROB), 85028 Rionero in Vulture (PZ), Italy.
| | - Giovanni Storto
- IRCCS-Referral Cancer Center of Basilicata (CROB), 85028 Rionero in Vulture (PZ), Italy.
| | - Anna Nardelli
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini-CNR, Via De Amicis No. 95, 80145 Napoli, Italy.
| | - Alessandro Sgambato
- IRCCS-Referral Cancer Center of Basilicata (CROB), 85028 Rionero in Vulture (PZ), Italy.
| | - Michele Ceccarelli
- Department of Science and Technology, University of Sannio, 82100 Benevento, Italy.
| | - Mario De Felice
- Istituto per l'Endocrinologia e l'OncologiaSperimentale "G. Salvatore", CNR, 80131 Napoli, Italy.
| | - Elena Amendola
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Universita' degliStudi di Napoli, Federico II, 80126 Napoli, Italy.
- Istituto per l'Endocrinologia e l'OncologiaSperimentale "G. Salvatore", CNR, 80131 Napoli, Italy.
| | - Geppino Falco
- Istituto di RicercheGenetiche G. Salvatore, Biogems.c.ar.l, ArianoIrpino, 83031 Avellino, Italy.
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Universita' degliStudi di Napoli, Federico II, 80126 Napoli, Italy.
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Bioluminescent reporter assay for monitoring ER stress in human beta cells. Sci Rep 2018; 8:17738. [PMID: 30532033 PMCID: PMC6288136 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-36142-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2018] [Accepted: 11/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
During type 1 diabetes development, cells in the islets of Langerhans engage adaptive mechanisms in response to inflammatory signals to cope with stress, to restore cellular homeostasis, and to preserve cell function. Disruption of these mechanisms may induce the formation of a repertoire of stress-induced neoantigens, which are critical in the loss of tolerance to beta cells and the development of autoimmunity. While multiple lines of evidence argue for a critical role of the endoplasmic reticulum in these processes, the lack of tools to specifically monitor beta cell stress hampers the development of therapeutic interventions focusing on maintaining endoplasmic reticulum homeostasis. Here we designed and evaluated a stress-induced reporter in which induction of stress correlates with increased light emission. This Gaussia luciferase-based reporter system employs the unconventional cytoplasmic splicing of XBP1 to report ER stress in cells exposed to known ER-stress inducers. Linking this reporter to a human beta cell-specific promotor allows tracing ER-stress in isolated human beta cells as well as in the EndoC-βH1 cell line. This reporter system represents a valuable tool to assess ER stress in human beta cells and may aid the identification of novel therapeutics that can prevent beta cell stress in human pancreatic islets.
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Hædersdal S, Lund A, Knop FK, Vilsbøll T. The Role of Glucagon in the Pathophysiology and Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes. Mayo Clin Proc 2018; 93:217-239. [PMID: 29307553 DOI: 10.1016/j.mayocp.2017.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2017] [Revised: 12/04/2017] [Accepted: 12/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Type 2 diabetes is a disease involving both inadequate insulin levels and increased glucagon levels. While glucagon and insulin work together to achieve optimal plasma glucose concentrations in healthy individuals, the usual regulatory balance between these 2 critical pancreatic hormones is awry in patients with diabetes. Although clinical discussion often focuses on the role of insulin, glucagon is equally important in understanding type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, an awareness of the role of glucagon is essential to appreciate differences in the mechanisms of action of various classes of glucose-lowering therapies. Newer drug classes such as dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists improve glycemic control, in part, by affecting glucagon levels. This review provides an overview of the effect of glucose-lowering therapies on glucagon on the basis of an extensive PubMed literature search to identify clinical studies of glucose-lowering therapies in type 2 diabetes that included assessment of glucagon. Clinical practice currently benefits from available therapies that impact the glucagon regulatory pathway. As clinicians look to the future, improved treatment strategies are likely to emerge that will either use currently available therapies whose mechanisms of action complement each other or take advantage of new therapies based on an improved understanding of glucagon pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofie Hædersdal
- Center for Diabetes Research, Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Hellerup, Denmark
| | - Asger Lund
- Center for Diabetes Research, Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Hellerup, Denmark
| | - Filip K Knop
- Center for Diabetes Research, Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Hellerup, Denmark; Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Tina Vilsbøll
- Center for Diabetes Research, Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Hellerup, Denmark; Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen, University of Copenhagen, Gentofte, Denmark; Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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Stošić M, Matavulj M, Marković J. Effects of subchronic acrylamide treatment on the endocrine pancreas of juvenile male Wistar rats. Biotech Histochem 2018; 93:89-98. [PMID: 29319366 DOI: 10.1080/10520295.2017.1393562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Acrylamide (AA) is a well-known industrial monomer with carcinogenic, mutagenic, neurotoxic and endocrine disruptive effects on living organisms. AA has been the subject of renewed interest owing to its presence in various food products. We investigated the potential adverse effects of oral AA treatment on the endocrine pancreas of juvenile rats using histochemical, immunohistochemical, stereological and biochemical methods. Thirty juvenile male Wistar rats were divided into one control and two AA treatment groups: one treated with 25 mg/kg AA and the other treated with 50 mg/kg AA for 21 days. We found a significant decrease in β-cell mass. The significant decrease in β-cell optical density and unchanged blood glucose levels indicate that normoglycemia in AA treated rats may result from intensive exocytosis of insulin-containing secretory granules. By contrast with β-cells, we observed increased α-cell mass. The slight increase in α-cell cytoplasmic volume suggests retention of glucagon in α-cells, which is consistent with the significant increase in α-cell optical density for AA treated animals. The number of islets of Langerhans did not change significantly in AA treated groups. Our findings suggest that AA treatment causes decreased β-cell mass and moderate α-cell mass increase in the islets of Langerhans of juvenile male Wistar rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Stošić
- a Faculty of Technical Sciences, Department of Environmental engineering and Occupational Safety and Health , University of Novi Sad , Novi Sad , Serbia
| | - M Matavulj
- b Faculty of Sciences, Department of Biology and Ecology , University of Novi Sad , Novi Sad , Serbia
| | - J Marković
- b Faculty of Sciences, Department of Biology and Ecology , University of Novi Sad , Novi Sad , Serbia
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Khan D, Vasu S, Moffett RC, Irwin N, Flatt PR. Differential expression of glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) is involved in pancreatic islet cell adaptations to stress and beta-cell survival. Peptides 2017; 95:68-75. [PMID: 28746825 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2017.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2017] [Revised: 07/17/2017] [Accepted: 07/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Recent studies have confirmed that locally released proglucagon derived gene products, other than glucagon, have a major influence on pancreatic endocrine function. We assessed the impact of glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) on beta-cell secretory function, proliferation and apoptosis, as well as glucose tolerance, feeding behaviour and islet adaptions to chemically-induced insulin deficiency and resistance. The GLP-2 receptor was evidenced on cultured rodent and human beta-cells, rodent alpha-cells and isolated mouse islets. GLP-2 had no effect on insulin secretion from beta-cells, or isolated mouse islets. In vivo, GLP-2 administration significantly (P<0.05 to P<0.01) decreased food intake in mice. Conversely, GLP-2 had no discernible effects on glucose disposal or insulin secretion. As expected, streptozotocin treatment decreased and hydrocortisone increased beta-cell mass in mice. GLP-2 was visualised in mouse islets and intestinal L-cells. Islet GLP-2 co-localisation with glucagon was significantly decreased (P<0.01) by both streptozotocin and hydrocortisone. In contrast, both interventions increased (P<0.05) co-localisation of GLP-2 with somatostatin. Interestingly, GLP-2 positive cells were reduced (P<0.05) in the intestines of streptozotocin, but not hydrocortisone, treated mice. Further in vitro investigations revealed that GLP-2 protected rodent and human 1.1B4 beta-cells against streptozotocin induced DNA damage. Furthermore, GLP-2 augmented (P<0.05) BRIN BD11 beta-cell proliferation, but was less efficacious in 1.1B4 cells. These data highlight the involvement of GLP-2 receptor signalling in the adaptations to pancreatic islet cell stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dawood Khan
- SAAD Centre for Pharmacy and Diabetes, Ulster University, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Srividya Vasu
- SAAD Centre for Pharmacy and Diabetes, Ulster University, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - R Charlotte Moffett
- SAAD Centre for Pharmacy and Diabetes, Ulster University, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Nigel Irwin
- SAAD Centre for Pharmacy and Diabetes, Ulster University, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, UK.
| | - Peter R Flatt
- SAAD Centre for Pharmacy and Diabetes, Ulster University, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, UK
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