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Mi J, Ren L, Andersson O. Leveraging zebrafish to investigate pancreatic development, regeneration, and diabetes. Trends Mol Med 2024:S1471-4914(24)00124-2. [PMID: 38825440 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2024.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
The zebrafish has become an outstanding model for studying organ development and tissue regeneration, which is prominently leveraged for studies of pancreatic development, insulin-producing β-cells, and diabetes. Although studied for more than two decades, many aspects remain elusive and it has only recently been possible to investigate these due to technical advances in transcriptomics, chemical-genetics, genome editing, drug screening, and in vivo imaging. Here, we review recent findings on zebrafish pancreas development, β-cell regeneration, and how zebrafish can be used to provide novel insights into gene functions, disease mechanisms, and therapeutic targets in diabetes, inspiring further use of zebrafish for the development of novel therapies for diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiarui Mi
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Gastroenterology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, China.
| | - Lipeng Ren
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Medical Cell Biology, Uppsala University, Biomedical Centre, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Olov Andersson
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Medical Cell Biology, Uppsala University, Biomedical Centre, Uppsala, Sweden.
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Yang B, Covington BA, Chen W. In vivo generation and regeneration of β cells in zebrafish. CELL REGENERATION (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2020; 9:9. [PMID: 32613468 PMCID: PMC7329966 DOI: 10.1186/s13619-020-00052-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The pathological feature of diabetes, hyperglycemia, is a result of an inadequate number and/or function of insulin producing β cells. Replenishing functional β cells is a strategy to cure the disease. Although β-cell regeneration occurs in animal models under certain conditions, human β cells are refractory to proliferation. A better understanding of both the positive and the negative regulatory mechanisms of β-cell regeneration in animal models is essential to develop novel strategies capable of inducing functional β cells in patients. Zebrafish are an attractive model system for studying β-cell regeneration due to the ease to which genetic and chemical-genetic approaches can be used as well as their high regenerative capacity. Here, we highlight the current state of β-cell regeneration studies in zebrafish with an emphasis on cell signaling mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingyuan Yang
- Department of Molecular Physiology & Biophysics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, 2215 Garland Avenue, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Brittney A Covington
- Department of Molecular Physiology & Biophysics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, 2215 Garland Avenue, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Wenbiao Chen
- Department of Molecular Physiology & Biophysics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, 2215 Garland Avenue, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.
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Li M, Dean ED, Zhao L, Nicholson WE, Powers AC, Chen W. Glucagon receptor inactivation leads to α-cell hyperplasia in zebrafish. J Endocrinol 2015; 227:93-103. [PMID: 26446275 PMCID: PMC4598637 DOI: 10.1530/joe-15-0284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Glucagon antagonism is a potential treatment for diabetes. One potential side effect is α-cell hyperplasia, which has been noted in several approaches to antagonize glucagon action. To investigate the molecular mechanism of the α-cell hyperplasia and to identify the responsible factor, we created a zebrafish model in which glucagon receptor (gcgr) signaling has been interrupted. The genetically and chemically tractable zebrafish, which provides a robust discovery platform, has two gcgr genes (gcgra and gcgrb) in its genome. Sequence, phylogenetic, and synteny analyses suggest that these are co-orthologs of the human GCGR. Similar to its mammalian counterparts, gcgra and gcgrb are mainly expressed in the liver. We inactivated the zebrafish gcgra and gcgrb using transcription activator-like effector nuclease (TALEN) first individually and then both genes, and assessed the number of α-cells using an α-cell reporter line, Tg(gcga:GFP). Compared to WT fish at 7 days postfertilization, there were more α-cells in gcgra-/-, gcgrb-/-, and gcgra-/-;gcgrb-/- fish and there was an increased rate of α-cell proliferation in the gcgra-/-;gcgrb-/- fish. Glucagon levels were higher but free glucose levels were lower in gcgra-/-, gcgrb-/-, and gcgra-/-;gcgrb-/- fish, similar to Gcgr-/- mice. These results indicate that the compensatory α-cell hyperplasia in response to interruption of glucagon signaling is conserved in zebrafish. The robust α-cell hyperplasia in gcgra-/-;gcgrb-/- larvae provides a platform to screen for chemical and genetic suppressors, and ultimately to identify the stimulus of α-cell hyperplasia and its signaling mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingyu Li
- Departments of Molecular Physiology and BiophysicsVanderbilt University School of Medicine, Light Hall, Room 711, 2215 Garland Avenue, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, USADivision of DiabetesEndocrinology, and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, USAThird Institute of OceanographyState Oceanic Administration, Xiamen 361005, ChinaVeterans Affairs Tennessee Valley Healthcare SystemNashville, Tennessee 37212, USA
| | - E Danielle Dean
- Departments of Molecular Physiology and BiophysicsVanderbilt University School of Medicine, Light Hall, Room 711, 2215 Garland Avenue, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, USADivision of DiabetesEndocrinology, and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, USAThird Institute of OceanographyState Oceanic Administration, Xiamen 361005, ChinaVeterans Affairs Tennessee Valley Healthcare SystemNashville, Tennessee 37212, USA
| | - Liyuan Zhao
- Departments of Molecular Physiology and BiophysicsVanderbilt University School of Medicine, Light Hall, Room 711, 2215 Garland Avenue, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, USADivision of DiabetesEndocrinology, and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, USAThird Institute of OceanographyState Oceanic Administration, Xiamen 361005, ChinaVeterans Affairs Tennessee Valley Healthcare SystemNashville, Tennessee 37212, USA Departments of Molecular Physiology and BiophysicsVanderbilt University School of Medicine, Light Hall, Room 711, 2215 Garland Avenue, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, USADivision of DiabetesEndocrinology, and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, USAThird Institute of OceanographyState Oceanic Administration, Xiamen 361005, ChinaVeterans Affairs Tennessee Valley Healthcare SystemNashville, Tennessee 37212, USA
| | - Wendell E Nicholson
- Departments of Molecular Physiology and BiophysicsVanderbilt University School of Medicine, Light Hall, Room 711, 2215 Garland Avenue, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, USADivision of DiabetesEndocrinology, and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, USAThird Institute of OceanographyState Oceanic Administration, Xiamen 361005, ChinaVeterans Affairs Tennessee Valley Healthcare SystemNashville, Tennessee 37212, USA
| | - Alvin C Powers
- Departments of Molecular Physiology and BiophysicsVanderbilt University School of Medicine, Light Hall, Room 711, 2215 Garland Avenue, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, USADivision of DiabetesEndocrinology, and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, USAThird Institute of OceanographyState Oceanic Administration, Xiamen 361005, ChinaVeterans Affairs Tennessee Valley Healthcare SystemNashville, Tennessee 37212, USA Departments of Molecular Physiology and BiophysicsVanderbilt University School of Medicine, Light Hall, Room 711, 2215 Garland Avenue, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, USADivision of DiabetesEndocrinology, and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, USAThird Institute of OceanographyState Oceanic Administration, Xiamen 361005, ChinaVeterans Affairs Tennessee Valley Healthcare SystemNashville, Tennessee 37212, USA Departments of Molecular Physiology and BiophysicsVanderbilt University School of Medicine, Light Hall, Room 711, 2215 Garland Avenue, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, USADivision of DiabetesEndocrinology, and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, USAThird Institute of OceanographyState Oceanic Administration, Xiamen 361005, ChinaVeterans Affairs Tennessee Valley Healthcare SystemNashville, Tennessee 37212, USA
| | - Wenbiao Chen
- Departments of Molecular Physiology and BiophysicsVanderbilt University School of Medicine, Light Hall, Room 711, 2215 Garland Avenue, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, USADivision of DiabetesEndocrinology, and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, USAThird Institute of OceanographyState Oceanic Administration, Xiamen 361005, ChinaVeterans Affairs Tennessee Valley Healthcare SystemNashville, Tennessee 37212, USA
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Maddison LA, Joest KE, Kammeyer RM, Chen W. Skeletal muscle insulin resistance in zebrafish induces alterations in β-cell number and glucose tolerance in an age- and diet-dependent manner. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 2015; 308:E662-9. [PMID: 25670827 PMCID: PMC4398831 DOI: 10.1152/ajpendo.00441.2014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2014] [Accepted: 02/04/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Insulin resistance creates an environment that promotes β-cell failure and development of diabetes. Understanding the events that lead from insulin resistance to diabetes is necessary for development of effective preventional and interventional strategies, and model systems that reflect the pathophysiology of disease progression are an important component toward this end. We have confirmed that insulin enhances glucose uptake in zebrafish skeletal muscle and have developed a zebrafish model of skeletal muscle insulin resistance using a dominant-negative IGF-IR. These zebrafish exhibit blunted insulin signaling and glucose uptake in the skeletal muscle, confirming insulin resistance. In young animals, we observed an increase in the number of β-cells and normal glucose tolerance that was indicative of compensation for insulin resistance. In older animals, the β-cell mass was reduced to that of control with the appearance of impaired glucose clearance but no elevation in fasting blood glucose. Combined with overnutrition, the insulin-resistant animals have an increased fasting blood glucose compared with the control animals, demonstrating that the β-cells in the insulin-resistant fish are in a vulnerable state. The relatively slow progression from insulin resistance to glucose intolerance in this model system has the potential in the future to test cooperating genes or metabolic conditions that may accelerate the development of diabetes and provide new therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisette A Maddison
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee; and
| | - Kaitlin E Joest
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee; and
| | - Ryan M Kammeyer
- Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Wenbiao Chen
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee; and
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Li M, Maddison LA, Page-McCaw P, Chen W. Overnutrition induces β-cell differentiation through prolonged activation of β-cells in zebrafish larvae. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 2014; 306:E799-807. [PMID: 24473439 PMCID: PMC3962607 DOI: 10.1152/ajpendo.00686.2013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Insulin from islet β-cells maintains glucose homeostasis by stimulating peripheral tissues to remove glucose from circulation. Persistent elevation of insulin demand increases β-cell number through self-replication or differentiation (neogenesis) as part of a compensatory response. However, it is not well understood how a persistent increase in insulin demand is detected. We have previously demonstrated that a persistent increase in insulin demand by overnutrition induces compensatory β-cell differentiation in zebrafish. Here, we use a series of pharmacological and genetic analyses to show that prolonged stimulation of existing β-cells is necessary and sufficient for this compensatory response. In the absence of feeding, tonic, but not intermittent, pharmacological activation of β-cell secretion was sufficient to induce β-cell differentiation. Conversely, drugs that block β-cell secretion, including an ATP-sensitive potassium (K ATP) channel agonist and an L-type Ca(2+) channel blocker, suppressed overnutrition-induced β-cell differentiation. Genetic experiments specifically targeting β-cells confirm existing β-cells as the overnutrition sensor. First, inducible expression of a constitutively active K ATP channel in β-cells suppressed the overnutrition effect. Second, inducible expression of a dominant-negative K ATP mutant induced β-cell differentiation independent of nutrients. Third, sensitizing β-cell metabolism by transgenic expression of a hyperactive glucokinase potentiated differentiation. Finally, ablation of the existing β-cells abolished the differentiation response. Taken together, these data establish that overnutrition induces β-cell differentiation in larval zebrafish through prolonged activation of β-cells. These findings demonstrate an essential role for existing β-cells in sensing overnutrition and compensating for their own insufficiency by recruiting additional β-cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingyu Li
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
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