Targeted expression of islet neogenesis associated protein to beta cells enhances glucose tolerance and confers resistance to streptozotocin-induced hyperglycemia

Transcriptional signature of islet neogenesis-associated protein peptide-treated rat pancreatic islets reveals induction of novel long non-coding RNAs

Background

Diabetes mellitus is characterized by chronic hyperglycemia with loss of β-cell function and mass. An attractive therapeutic approach to treat patients with diabetes in a non-invasive way is to harness the innate regenerative potential of the pancreas. The Islet Neogenesis-Associated Protein pentadecapeptide (INGAP-PP) has been shown to induce β-cell regeneration and improve their function in rodents. To investigate its possible mechanism of action, we report here the global transcriptional effects induced by the short-term INGAP-PP in vitro treatment of adult rat pancreatic islets.

Methods and findings

Rat pancreatic islets were cultured in vitro in the presence of INGAP-PP for 4 days, and RNA-seq was generated from triplicate treated and control islet samples. We performed a de novo rat gene annotation based on the alignment of RNA-seq reads. The list of INGAP-PP-regulated genes was integrated with epigenomic data. Using the new gene annotation generated in this work, we quantified RNA-seq data profiled in INS-1 cells treated with IL1β, IL1β+Calcipotriol (a vitamin D agonist) or vehicle, and single-cell RNA-seq data profiled in rat pancreatic islets. We found 1,669 differentially expressed genes by INGAP-PP treatment, including dozens of previously unannotated rat transcripts. Genes differentially expressed by the INGAP-PP treatment included a subset of upregulated transcripts that are associated with vitamin D receptor activation. Supported by epigenomic and single-cell RNA-seq data, we identified 9 previously unannotated long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) upregulated by INGAP-PP, some of which are also differentially regulated by IL1β and vitamin D in β-cells. These include Ri-lnc1, which is enriched in mature β-cells.

Conclusions

Our results reveal the transcriptional program that could explain the enhancement of INGAP-PP-mediated physiological effects on β-cell mass and function. We identified novel lncRNAs that are induced by INGAP-PP in rat islets, some of which are selectively expressed in pancreatic β-cells and downregulated by IL1β treatment of INS-1 cells. Our results suggest a relevant function for Ri-lnc1 in β-cells. These findings are expected to provide the basis for a deeper understanding of islet translational results from rodents to humans, with the ultimate goal of designing new therapies for people with diabetes.

Islet neogenesis associated protein (INGAP) protects pancreatic β cells from IL-1β and IFNγ-induced apoptosis

The goal of this study was to determine whether recombinant Islet NeoGenesis Associated Protein (rINGAP) and its active core, a pentadecapeptide INGAP104-118 (Ingap-p), protect β cells against cytokine-induced death. INGAP has been shown to induce islet neogenesis in diabetic animals, to stimulate β-cell proliferation and differentiation, and to improve islet survival and function. Importantly, Ingap-p has shown promising results in clinical trials for diabetes (phase I/II). However, the full potential of INGAP and its mechanisms of action remain poorly understood. Using rat insulinoma cells RINm5F and INS-1 treated with interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), we demonstrate here that both rINGAP and Ingap-p inhibit apoptosis, Caspase-3 activation, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression and nitric oxide (NO) production, and explore the related signaling pathways. As expected, IL-1β induced nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), p38, and JNK signaling, whereas interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) activated the JAK2/STAT1 pathway and potentiated the IL-1β effects. Both rINGAP and Ingap-p decreased phosphorylation of IKKα/β, IkBα, and p65, although p65 nuclear translocation was not inhibited. rINGAP, used for further analysis, also inhibited STAT3, p38, and JNK activation. Interestingly, all inhibitory effects of rINGAP were observed for the cytokine cocktail, not IL-1β alone, and were roughly equal to reversing the potentiating effects of INFγ. Furthermore, rINGAP had no effect on IL-1β/NF-κB-induced gene expression (e.g., Ccl2, Sod2) but downregulated several IFNγ-stimulated (Irf1, Socs1, Socs3) or IFNγ-potentiated (Nos2) genes. This, however, was observed again only for the cytokine cocktail, not IFNγ alone, and rINGAP did not inhibit the IFNγ-induced JAK2/STAT1 activation. Together, these intriguing results suggest that INGAP does not target either IL-1β or IFNγ individually but rather inhibits the signaling crosstalk between the two, the exact mechanism of which remains to be investigated. In summary, our study characterizes the anti-inflammatory effects of INGAP, both protein and peptide, and suggests a new therapeutic utility for INGAP in the treatment of diabetes.

Can adipokine visfatin be a novel marker of pregnancy-related disorders in women with obesity?

Overweight and obesity have become a dangerous disease requiring multiple interventions, treatment and preventions. In women of reproductive age, obesity is one of the most common medical conditions. Among others, obese state is characterized by low-grade systemic inflammation and enhanced oxidative stress. Increased maternal body mass index might amplify inflammation and reactive oxygen species production, which is associated with unfavourable clinical outcomes that affect both mother and child. Intrauterine growth retardation, preeclampsia, or gestational diabetes mellitus are examples of the hampered maternal and foetoplacental unit interactions. Visfatin is the obesity-related adipokine produced mainly by the visceral adipose tissue. Visfatin affects glucose homeostasis, as well as the regulation of genes related to oxidative stress and inflammatory response. Here, we review visfatin interactions in pregnancy-related disorders linked to obesity. We highlight the possible predictive and prognostic value of visfatin in diagnostic strategies on gravidas with obesity.

Effects of islet neogenesis associated protein depend on vascular endothelial growth factor gene expression modulated by hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha

BACKGROUND

Pharmacology has provided efficient tools to improve insulin effect/secretion but the decrease in β-cell mass remains elusive. INGAP-PP could provide a therapeutic alternative to meet that challenge.

AIM

To further understand the mechanism that links INGAP-PP effects upon β-cell mass and function with islet angiogenesis.

METHODOLOGY

Normal male Wistar rats were divided into 2 groups and injected with a single dose of 100 mg/Kg suramin or saline. Both groups were divided into 2 subgroups that received daily doses of 2 mg/kg INGAP-PP or saline for ten days. Plasma glucose, triacylglycerol, TBARS, and insulin levels were measured. Pancreas immunomorphometric analyses were also performed. Pancreatic islets were isolated to measure glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS). Specific islet mRNA levels were studied by qRT-PCR. Statistical analysis was done using ANOVA.

RESULTS

No differences were recorded in body weight, food intake, or any other plasma parameter measured in all groups. Islets from INGAP-PP-treated rats significantly increased GSIS, β-cell mass, and mRNA levels of Bcl-2, Ngn-3, VEGF-A, VEGF-R2, CD31, Ang1 and Ang2, Laminin β-1, and Integrin β-1, and decreased mRNA levels of Caspase-8, Bad, and Bax. Islets from suramin-treated rats showed significant opposite effects, but INGAPP-PP administration rescued most of the suramin effects in animals treated with both compounds.

CONCLUSION

Our results reinforce the concept that INGAP-PP enhances insulin secretion and β-cell mass, acting through PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathways and simultaneously activating angiogenesis through HIF-1α-mediated VEGF-A secretion. Therefore, INGAP-PP might be a suitable antidiabetic agent able to overcome two major alterations present in T2D.

Liver carbohydrates metabolism: A new islet-neogenesis associated protein peptide (INGAP-PP) target

Islet-Neogenesis Associated Protein-Pentadecapeptide (INGAP-PP) increases β-cell mass and enhances glucose and amino acids-induced insulin secretion. Our aim was to demonstrate its effect on liver metabolism. For that purpose, adult male Wistar rats were injected twice-daily (10 days) with saline solution or INGAP-PP (250 μg). Thereafter, serum glucose, triglyceride and insulin levels were measured and homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR) and hepatic insulin sensitivity (HIS) were determined. Liver glucokinase and glucose-6-phosphatase (G-6-Pase) expression and activity, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) expression, phosphofructokinase-2 (PFK-2) protein content, P-Akt/Akt and glycogen synthase kinase-3β (P-GSK3/GSK3) protein ratios and glycogen deposit were also determined. Additionally, glucokinase activity and G-6-Pase and PEPCK gene expression were also determined in isolated hepatocytes from normal rats incubated with INGAP-PP (5 μg/ml). INGAP-PP administration did not modify any of the serum parameters tested but significantly increased activity of liver glucokinase and the protein level of its cytosolic activator, PFK-2. Conversely, INGAP-PP treated rats decreased gene expression and enzyme activity of gluconeogenic enzymes, G-6-Pase and PEPCK. They also showed a higher glycogen deposit and P-GSK3/GSK3 and P-Akt/Akt ratio. In isolated hepatocytes, INGAP-PP increased GK activity and decreased G-6-Pase and PEPCK expression. These results demonstrate a direct effect of INGAP-PP on the liver acting through P-Akt signaling pathway. INGAP-PP enhances liver glucose metabolism and deposit and reduces its production/output, thereby contributing to maintain normal glucose homeostasis. These results reinforce the concept that INGAP-PP might become a useful tool to treat people with impaired islet/liver glucose metabolism as it occurs in T2D.

Deteriorated high-fat diet-induced diabetes caused by pancreatic β-cell-specific overexpression of Reg3β gene in mice

Reg family proteins have long been implicated in islet β-cell proliferation, survival, and regeneration. In our previous study, we reported that Reg3β overexpression did not increase islet growth but prevented streptozotocin-induced islet damage by inducing specific genes. In order to explore its role in type 2 diabetes (T2D), we established high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity and diabetes in RIP-I/Reg3β mice. Glucose and insulin tolerance tests, immunofluorescence for insulin, eIF2α, and GLUT2 in islets, Western blots on phosphorylated AMPKα and hepatic histology were performed. Both RIP-I/Reg3β and wild-type mice gained weight rapidly and became hyperglycemic after 10 weeks on the HFD. However, the transgenic mice exhibited more significant acceleration in blood glucose levels, further deterioration of glucose intolerance and insulin resistance, and a lower intensity of insulin staining. Immunofluorescence revealed similar magnitude of islet compensation to a wild-type HFD. The normal GLUT2 distribution in the transgenic β-cells was disrupted and the staining was obviously diminished on the cell membrane. HFD feeding also caused a further decrease in the level of AMPKα phosphorylation in the transgenic islets. Our results suggest that unlike its protective effect against T1D, overexpressed Reg3β was unable to protect the β-cells against HFD-induced damage.

Pancreatic β Cell Mass Death

Type two diabetes (T2D) is a challenging metabolic disorder for which a cure has not yet been found. Its etiology is associated with several phenomena, including significant loss of insulin-producing, beta cell (β cell) mass via progressive programmed cell death and disrupted cellular autophagy. In diabetes, the etiology of β cell death and the role of mitochondria are complex and involve several layers of mechanisms. Understanding the dynamics of those mechanisms could permit researchers to develop an intervention for the progressive loss of β cells. Currently, diabetes research has shifted toward rejuvenation and plasticity technology and away from the simplified approach of hormonal compensation. Diabetes research is currently challenged by questions such as how to enhance cell survival, decrease apoptosis and replenish β cell mass in diabetic patients. In this review, we discuss evidence that β cell development and mass formation are guided by specific signaling systems, particularly hormones, transcription factors, and growth factors, all of which could be manipulated to enhance mass growth. There is also strong evidence that β cells are dynamically active cells, which, under specific conditions such as obesity, can increase in size and subsequently increase insulin secretion. In certain cases of aggressive or advanced forms of T2D, β cells become markedly impaired, and the only alternatives for maintaining glucose homeostasis are through partial or complete cell grafting (the Edmonton protocol). In these cases, the harvesting of an enriched population of viable β cells is required for transplantation. This task necessitates a deep understanding of the pharmacological agents that affect β cell survival, mass, and function. The aim of this review is to initiate discussion about the important signals in pancreatic β cell development and mass formation and to highlight the process by which cell death occurs in diabetes. This review also examines the attempts that have been made to recover or increase cell mass in diabetic patients by using various pharmacological agents.

Role of Islet Glucokinase, Glucose Metabolism, and Insulin Pathway in the Enhancing Effect of Islet Neogenesis-Associated Protein on Glucose-Induced Insulin Secretion

OBJECTIVE

To demonstrate the role of islet glucokinase, glucose metabolism, and intracellular insulin mediators in the enhancing effect of islet neogenesis-associated protein pentadecapeptide (INGAP-PP) on glucose-induced insulin secretion.

METHODS

Islets from normal rats were cultured for 4 days in the absence or presence of 10 μg/mL INGAP-PP, with/without Wortmannin or LY294002. Islets were incubated with different glucose concentrations to measure insulin secretion and content, hexokinase and glucokinase activity, glucose oxidation and utilization, glucokinase, insulin receptor, insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1/2, and PI3K concentration and phosphorylation.

RESULTS

The INGAP-PP significantly increased insulin release at high but not at low glucose concentration, glucokinase activity, glucose metabolism, glucokinase, insulin receptor, IRS-2 and PI3K protein concentration, insulin receptor and IRS-1/2 tyrosine phosphorylation, and the association of p85 with IRS-1. Wortmannin and LY294002 blocked INGAP-PP effect on insulin secretion and glucokinase protein levels in a dose-dependent manner.

CONCLUSIONS

The enhancing effect of INGAP-PP on glucose-induced insulin release could be partly ascribed to its effect on glucokinase activity and glucose metabolism and is mainly mediated by the PI3K/AKT pathway. These results, together with the low hypoglycemia risk associated with the use of INGAP-PP, offer a new alternative for diabetes prevention and treatment.

Development of the endocrine pancreas and novel strategies for β-cell mass restoration and diabetes therapy

Diabetes mellitus represents a serious public health problem owing to its global prevalence in the last decade. The causes of this metabolic disease include dysfunction and/or insufficient number of β cells. Existing diabetes mellitus treatments do not reverse or control the disease. Therefore, β-cell mass restoration might be a promising treatment. Several restoration approaches have been developed: inducing the proliferation of remaining insulin-producing cells, de novo islet formation from pancreatic progenitor cells (neogenesis), and converting non-β cells within the pancreas to β cells (transdifferentiation) are the most direct, simple, and least invasive ways to increase β-cell mass. However, their clinical significance is yet to be determined. Hypothetically, β cells or islet transplantation methods might be curative strategies for diabetes mellitus; however, the scarcity of donors limits the clinical application of these approaches. Thus, alternative cell sources for β-cell replacement could include embryonic stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, and mesenchymal stem cells. However, most differentiated cells obtained using these techniques are functionally immature and show poor glucose-stimulated insulin secretion compared with native β cells. Currently, their clinical use is still hampered by ethical issues and the risk of tumor development post transplantation. In this review, we briefly summarize the current knowledge of mouse pancreas organogenesis, morphogenesis, and maturation, including the molecular mechanisms involved. We then discuss two possible approaches of β-cell mass restoration for diabetes mellitus therapy: β-cell regeneration and β-cell replacement. We critically analyze each strategy with respect to the accessibility of the cells, potential risk to patients, and possible clinical outcomes.

Islet neogenesis-associated protein (INGAP): the role of its endogenous production as a positive modulator of insulin secretion

Islet neogenesis-associated protein (INGAP) is a peptide found in pancreatic exocrine-, duct- and islet- non-β-cells from normal hamsters. Its increase induced by either its exogenous administration or by the overexpression of its gene enhances β-cell secretory function and increases β-cell mass by a combination of stimulation of cell replication and islet neogenesis and reduction of β-cell apoptosis. We studied the potential modulatory role of endogenous INGAP in insulin secretion using two different experimental approaches. Hamster islets transfected with INGAP-small interfering RNA (INGAP-siRNA) were used to study glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS). In parallel, freshly isolated islets were incubated with high glucose and the same concentration of either a specific anti-INGAP rabbit serum or normal rabbit serum. INGAP-siRNA transfected islets reduced their INGAP mRNA and protein content by 35.1% and 47.2%, respectively whereas GSIS decreased by 25.8%. GSIS by transfected islets attained levels comparable to those recorded in control islets when INGAP pentadecapeptide (INGAP-PP) was added to the culture medium. INGAP antibody in the medium decreased significantly GSIS in a dose-dependent manner. These results indicate that endogenous INGAP plays a "physiological" positive modulatory role in insulin secretion, supporting its possible use in the treatment of prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes.

Parp1 deficient mice are protected from streptozotocin-induced diabetes but not caerulein-induced pancreatitis, independent of the induction of Reg family genes

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (Parp) 1 is a key regulator of cell death, its inhibition prevented streptozotocin-induced diabetes and attenuated caerulein-induced acute pancreatitis. Reg family proteins are significantly induced by Parp1 inhibitor, experimental diabetes and/or acute pancreatitis. We propose that Reg proteins are involved in the protection of pancreatic cells by Parp1 inhibition. To test this possibility, Parp1-/- and wild-type mice were injected with streptozotocin to induce diabetes. Separately, acute pancreatitis was induced with repeated injections of caerulein. Upon streptozotocin administration, Parp1-/- mice displayed much decreased hyperglycemia and preserved serum insulin level. The treatment induced similar levels of Reg1, -2, -3α and -3β genes in the pancreas of both wild-type and Parp1-/- mice, suggesting that the upregulation of Reg family genes during streptozotocin-induced diabetes was independent of Parp1 ablation. In caerulein-induced pancreatitis, unlike being reported, Parp1 knockout caused no relief on the severity of pancreatitis; the upregulation of pancreatic Reg1, -2, -3α and -3β genes upon caerulein was unaffected by Parp1 deletion. Our results reconfirmed the protective effect of Parp1 gene deletion on islet β-cells but questioned its effect on the acinar cells. In either case, the significant induction of Reg family genes seemed independent of Parp1-mediated cell death.

NOX, NOX Who is There? The Contribution of NADPH Oxidase One to Beta Cell Dysfunction

Predictions of diabetes prevalence over the next decades warrant the aggressive discovery of new approaches to stop or reverse loss of functional beta cell mass. Beta cells are recognized to have a relatively high sensitivity to reactive oxygen species (ROS) and become dysfunctional under oxidative stress conditions. New discoveries have identified NADPH oxidases in beta cells as contributors to elevated cellular ROS. Reviewed are recent reports that evidence a role for NADPH oxidase-1 (NOX-1) in beta cell dysfunction. NOX-1 is stimulated by inflammatory cytokines that are elevated in diabetes. First, regulation of cytokine-stimulated NOX-1 expression has been linked to inflammatory lipid mediators derived from 12-lipoxygenase activity. For the first time in beta cells these data integrate distinct pathways associated with beta cell dysfunction. Second, regulation of NOX-1 in beta cells involves feed-forward control linked to elevated ROS and Src-kinase activation. This potentially results in unbridled ROS generation and identifies candidate targets for pharmacologic intervention. Third, consideration is provided of new, first-in-class, selective inhibitors of NOX-1. These compounds could have an important role in assessing a disruption of NOX-1/ROS signaling as a new approach to preserve and protect beta cell mass in diabetes.

Integration of pro-inflammatory cytokines, 12-lipoxygenase and NOX-1 in pancreatic islet beta cell dysfunction

Elevated cellular reactive species, which can be produced by diabetic serum conditions such as elevated inflammatory cytokines, lipotoxicity or glucotoxicity contribute to islet beta cell dysfunction and cell death. Cellular pathways that result in beta cell oxidative stress are poorly resolved. In this study, stimulation of human donor islets, primary mouse islets or homogeneous beta cell lines with a cocktail of inflammatory cytokines (TNFα, IL-1β, and INFγ) significantly induced NADPH oxidase-1 (NOX-1) gene expression (p<0.05). This pro-inflammatory cytokine cocktail concomitantly induced loss of islet glucose stimulated insulin response (p<0.05), elevated expression of MCP-1 (p<0.01), increased cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and induced cell death. Inhibitors of NADPH oxidase, apocynin and diphenyleneiodonium, and a dual selective NOX1/4 inhibitor, blocked ROS generation (p<0.01) and induction of MCP-1 (p<0.05) by pro-inflammatory cytokines in beta cells. It has previously been reported that pro-inflammatory cytokine stimulation induces 12-lipoxygenase (12-LO) expression in human islets. 12-Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (12-HETE), a product of 12-LO activity, stimulated NOX-1 expression in human islets (p<0.05). A novel selective inhibitor of 12-LO blocked induction of NOX-1, production of ROS and pro-caspase 3 cleavage by pro-inflammatory cytokines in INS-1 beta cells (p<0.01). Inhibition was not seen with a structurally related but inactive analog. Importantly, islets from human type 2 diabetic donors have an elevated expression of NOX-1 (p<0.05). This study describes an integrated pathway in beta cells that links beta cell dysfunction induced by pro-inflammatory cytokines with 12-lipoxygenase and NADPH oxidase (NOX-1) activation. Inhibitors of this pathway may provide a new therapeutic strategy to preserve beta cell mass in diabetes.

Short-term effects of INGAP and Reg family peptides on the appearance of small β-cells clusters in non-diabetic mice

The Reg3 peptides INGAP-PP and human Reg3α/β (HIP) have been hypothesized to stimulate β-cell neogenesis in the pancreas. Administration of INGAP-PP has been shown to cause an increase in β-cell mass in multiple animal models, reverse streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetes in mice and reduces HbA1c levels in type 2 diabetic humans. In this study, we have examined the ability of the INGAP-PP and HIP peptides to induce β-cell formation in vivo in normal mice through short-term administration of the peptides. We assessed the peptides ability to induce an increase in extra-islet insulin-positive cell clusters by looking at β-cell number by point counting morphometry on pancreata that had been randomized using the smooth fractionator principle in non-diabetic NMRI mice after short-term injections of the peptides (5 d). Five day continuous BrdU labeling was used to determine if the new β-cells were derived from replicating β-cells. Real time quantitative RT-PCR and immuno-histochemistry was used to analyze changes in pancreatic transcription factor expression. A 1.5- to 2-fold increase in the volume of small extra-islet insulin-positive clusters post 5 d treatment with INGAP-PP and HIP as compared with mice treated with a non-peptide control or scrambled peptide (p<0.05) (n = 7) was found. Five day continuous BrdU infusion during the 5 d period showed little or no incorporation in islets or small insulin clusters. Five days of treatment with INGAP-PP or HIP, showed a tendency toward increased levels of pancreatic progenitor markers such as Ngn3, Nkx6.1, Sox9 and Ins. These are the first studies to compare and indicate that the human Reg3 α/β (HIP) peptide has similar bioactivity in vivo as INGAP by causing formation of small β-cell clusters in extra-islet pancreatic tissue after only 5 d of treatment. Upregulation of pancreatic transcription factors may be part of the mechanism of action.