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Langlois A, Dumond A, Vion J, Pinget M, Bouzakri K. Crosstalk Communications Between Islets Cells and Insulin Target Tissue: The Hidden Face of Iceberg. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:836344. [PMID: 35185804 PMCID: PMC8851682 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.836344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The regulation of insulin secretion is under control of a complex inter-organ/cells crosstalk involving various metabolites and/or physical connections. In this review, we try to illustrate with current knowledge how β-cells communicate with other cell types and organs in physiological and pathological contexts. Moreover, this review will provide a better understanding of the microenvironment and of the context in which β-cells exist and how this can influence their survival and function. Recent studies showed that β-cell insulin secretion is regulated also by a direct and indirect inter-organ/inter-cellular communication involving various factors, illustrating the idea of "the hidden face of the iceberg". Moreover, any disruption on the physiological communication between β-cells and other cells or organs can participate on diabetes onset. Therefore, for new anti-diabetic treatments' development, it is necessary to consider the entire network of cells and organs involved in the regulation of β-cellular function and no longer just β-cell or pancreatic islet alone. In this context, we discuss here the intra-islet communication, the β-cell/skeletal muscle, β-cell/adipose tissue and β-cell/liver cross talk.
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Nakayama-Iwatsuki K, Hirabayashi M, Hochi S. Fabrication of functional rat pseudo-islets after cryopreservation of pancreatic islets or dispersed islet cells. J Tissue Eng Regen Med 2021; 15:686-696. [PMID: 33999537 DOI: 10.1002/term.3219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Dispersed single cells from pancreatic islets can configure the three-dimensional islet-like architecture (pseudo-islets) with insulin secretion potential and controllable size through their aggregation property. The present study was designed to investigate whether cryopreservation of islets or islet cells can contribute to the efficient pseudo-islet fabrication in the rat model. In control group (CT), islet single cells were prepared by trypsin digestion of 50-400-µm ø fresh control islets, and then cultured for 3 days in the U-bottom microwell to fabricate pseudo-islets. In vitrification-warming group (VW), islet single cells were prepared from postwarm islets cryopreserved by vitrification on nylon mesh device, and then cultured for 3 days. In freezing group (FR), islet single cells originated from fresh islets were subjected to a conventional Bicell® freezing, and postthaw cells were cultured for 3 days. To generate 1 islet equivalent pseudo-islets (150 µm ø) by the sphere culture, 1250 CT cells, 1250 VW cells, and 1500 FR cells were seeded to each microwell. The viability of the pseudo-islets was comparable among the three groups (93.9%-96.9%). Furthermore, the insulin secretion assay showed that those pseudo-islets responded sufficiently to the high glucose stimulation. Immunostaining for insulin and glucagon showed that the endocrine cell arrangement of those pseudo-islets is similar to that of native and isolated islets. These islets/pseudo-islets had the β-cells in core and the α-cells in mantle, which was typical characteristic of the rodent islets. However, some clusters of α-cells were observed inside the FR pseudo-islets. Interestingly, the VW pseudo-islets had significantly fewer α-cells than the CT or FR pseudo-islets. These results suggest that the sphere culture of islet cells is useful tool to generate the pseudo-islets with the customized size and normal functionality, even after islet cryopreservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenyu Nakayama-Iwatsuki
- Graduate School of Medicine, Science and Technology, Shinshu University, Ueda, Nagano, Japan
- National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Okazaki, Aichi, Japan
| | - Masumi Hirabayashi
- National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Okazaki, Aichi, Japan
- School of Life Science, The Graduate University for Advanced Studies, Okazaki, Aichi, Japan
| | - Shinichi Hochi
- Graduate School of Medicine, Science and Technology, Shinshu University, Ueda, Nagano, Japan
- Faculty of Textile Science and Technology, Shinshu University, Ueda, Nagano, Japan
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Ng XW, Chung YH, Piston DW. Intercellular Communication in the Islet of Langerhans in Health and Disease. Compr Physiol 2021; 11:2191-2225. [PMID: 34190340 DOI: 10.1002/cphy.c200026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Blood glucose homeostasis requires proper function of pancreatic islets, which secrete insulin, glucagon, and somatostatin from the β-, α-, and δ-cells, respectively. Each islet cell type is equipped with intrinsic mechanisms for glucose sensing and secretory actions, but these intrinsic mechanisms alone cannot explain the observed secretory profiles from intact islets. Regulation of secretion involves interconnected mechanisms among and between islet cell types. Islet cells lose their normal functional signatures and secretory behaviors upon dispersal as compared to intact islets and in vivo. In dispersed islet cells, the glucose response of insulin secretion is attenuated from that seen from whole islets, coordinated oscillations in membrane potential and intracellular Ca2+ activity, as well as the two-phase insulin secretion profile, are missing, and glucagon secretion displays higher basal secretion profile and a reverse glucose-dependent response from that of intact islets. These observations highlight the critical roles of intercellular communication within the pancreatic islet, and how these communication pathways are crucial for proper hormonal and nonhormonal secretion and glucose homeostasis. Further, misregulated secretions of islet secretory products that arise from defective intercellular islet communication are implicated in diabetes. Intercellular communication within the islet environment comprises multiple mechanisms, including electrical synapses from gap junctional coupling, paracrine interactions among neighboring cells, and direct cell-to-cell contacts in the form of juxtacrine signaling. In this article, we describe the various mechanisms that contribute to proper islet function for each islet cell type and how intercellular islet communications are coordinated among the same and different islet cell types. © 2021 American Physiological Society. Compr Physiol 11:2191-2225, 2021.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue W Ng
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Washington University, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Yong H Chung
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Washington University, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - David W Piston
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Washington University, St Louis, Missouri, USA
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Gil-Rivera M, Medina-Gali RM, Martínez-Pinna J, Soriano S. Physiology of pancreatic β-cells: Ion channels and molecular mechanisms implicated in stimulus-secretion coupling. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2021; 359:287-323. [PMID: 33832651 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2021.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The human and mouse islet of Langerhans is an endocrine organ composed of five different cells types; insulin-secreting β-cells, glucagon-producing α-cells, somatostatin-producing δ-cells, pancreatic polypeptide-secreting PP cells and ɛ-cells that secretes ghrelin. The most important cells are the pancreatic β-cells that comprise around 45-50% of human islets and 75-80% in the mouse. Pancreatic β-cells secrete insulin at high glucose concentration, thereby finely regulating glycaemia by the hypoglycaemic effects of this hormone. Different ion channels are implicated in the stimulus-secretion coupling of insulin. An increase in the intracellular ATP concentration leads to closure KATP channels, depolarizing the cell and opening voltage-gated calcium channels. The increase of intracellular calcium concentration induced by calcium entry through voltage-gated calcium channels promotes insulin secretion. Here, we briefly describe the diversity of ion channels present in pancreatic β-cells and the different mechanisms that are responsible to induce insulin secretion in human and mouse cells. Moreover, we described the pathophysiology due to alterations in the physiology of the main ion channels present in pancreatic β-cell and its implication to predispose metabolic disorders as type 2 diabetes mellitus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minerva Gil-Rivera
- Departamento de Fisiología, Genética y Microbiología, Universidad de Alicante, Alicante, Spain.
| | - Regla M Medina-Gali
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabólicas Asociadas (CIBERDEM), Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigación, Desarrollo e Innovación en Biotecnología Sanitaria de Elche (IDiBE), Universidad Miguel Hernández, Elche, Spain
| | - Juan Martínez-Pinna
- Departamento de Fisiología, Genética y Microbiología, Universidad de Alicante, Alicante, Spain; Instituto de Investigación, Desarrollo e Innovación en Biotecnología Sanitaria de Elche (IDiBE), Universidad Miguel Hernández, Elche, Spain
| | - Sergi Soriano
- Departamento de Fisiología, Genética y Microbiología, Universidad de Alicante, Alicante, Spain; Instituto de Investigación, Desarrollo e Innovación en Biotecnología Sanitaria de Elche (IDiBE), Universidad Miguel Hernández, Elche, Spain.
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Ježek P, Holendová B, Jabůrek M, Tauber J, Dlasková A, Plecitá-Hlavatá L. The Pancreatic β-Cell: The Perfect Redox System. Antioxidants (Basel) 2021; 10:antiox10020197. [PMID: 33572903 PMCID: PMC7912581 DOI: 10.3390/antiox10020197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic β-cell insulin secretion, which responds to various secretagogues and hormonal regulations, is reviewed here, emphasizing the fundamental redox signaling by NADPH oxidase 4- (NOX4-) mediated H2O2 production for glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS). There is a logical summation that integrates both metabolic plus redox homeostasis because the ATP-sensitive K+ channel (KATP) can only be closed when both ATP and H2O2 are elevated. Otherwise ATP would block KATP, while H2O2 would activate any of the redox-sensitive nonspecific calcium channels (NSCCs), such as TRPM2. Notably, a 100%-closed KATP ensemble is insufficient to reach the -50 mV threshold plasma membrane depolarization required for the activation of voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels. Open synergic NSCCs or Cl- channels have to act simultaneously to reach this threshold. The resulting intermittent cytosolic Ca2+-increases lead to the pulsatile exocytosis of insulin granule vesicles (IGVs). The incretin (e.g., GLP-1) amplification of GSIS stems from receptor signaling leading to activating the phosphorylation of TRPM channels and effects on other channels to intensify integral Ca2+-influx (fortified by endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+). ATP plus H2O2 are also required for branched-chain ketoacids (BCKAs); and partly for fatty acids (FAs) to secrete insulin, while BCKA or FA β-oxidation provide redox signaling from mitochondria, which proceeds by H2O2 diffusion or hypothetical SH relay via peroxiredoxin "redox kiss" to target proteins.
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Da Silva Xavier G, Rutter GA. Metabolic and Functional Heterogeneity in Pancreatic β Cells. J Mol Biol 2019; 432:1395-1406. [PMID: 31419404 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2019.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2019] [Revised: 07/17/2019] [Accepted: 08/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Metabolic and secretory heterogeneity are fundamental properties of pancreatic islet β cells. Emerging data suggest that stable differences in the transcriptome and proteome of individual cells may create cellular hierarchies, which, in turn, establish coordinated functional networks. These networks appear to govern the secretory activity of the whole islet and be affected in some forms of diabetes mellitus. Functional imaging, for example, of intracellular calcium dynamics, has led to the demonstration of "small worlds" behavior, and the identification of highly connected "hub" (or "leader") cells and of follower populations subservient to them. Subsequent inactivation of members of either population, for example, using optogenetic approaches or photoablation, has confirmed the importance of hub cells as possible pacemakers. Hub cells appear to be enriched for the glucose phosphorylating enzyme glucokinase and for genes encoding other enzymes involved in glucose metabolism compared to follower cells. Recent findings have shown the relevance of cellular hierarchy in islets from multiple species including human, mouse and fish, and shown that it is preserved in vivo in the context of the fully vascularized and innervated islet. Importantly, connectivity is impaired by insults, which mimic the diabetic milieu, including high glucose and/or fatty levels, and by the ablation of genes associated with type 2 diabetes risk in genome-wide association studies. We discuss here the evidence for the existence of these networks and their failure in disease settings. We also briefly survey the challenges in understanding their properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Da Silva Xavier
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research (IMSR), University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, United Kingdom.
| | - Guy A Rutter
- Section of Cell Biology and Functional Genomics, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, United Kingdom; Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nan Yang Technological University, Singapore
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7
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Loppini A, Pedersen MG, Braun M, Filippi S. Gap-junction coupling and ATP-sensitive potassium channels in human β-cell clusters: Effects on emergent dynamics. Phys Rev E 2017; 96:032403. [PMID: 29346932 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.96.032403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2017] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The importance of gap-junction coupling between β cells in pancreatic islets is well established in mouse. Such ultrastructural connections synchronize cellular activity, confine biological heterogeneity, and enhance insulin pulsatility. Dysfunction of coupling has been associated with diabetes and altered β-cell function. However, the role of gap junctions between human β cells is still largely unexplored. By using patch-clamp recordings of β cells from human donors, we previously estimated electrical properties of these channels by mathematical modeling of pairs of human β cells. In this work we revise our estimate by modeling triplet configurations and larger heterogeneous clusters. We find that a coupling conductance in the range 0.005-0.020 nS/pF can reproduce experiments in almost all the simulated arrangements. We finally explore the consequence of gap-junction coupling of this magnitude between β cells with mutant variants of the ATP-sensitive potassium channels involved in some metabolic disorders and diabetic conditions, translating studies performed on rodents to the human case. Our results are finally discussed from the perspective of therapeutic strategies. In summary, modeling of more realistic clusters with more than two β cells slightly lowers our previous estimate of gap-junction conductance and gives rise to patterns that more closely resemble experimental traces.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Loppini
- Nonlinear Physics and Mathematical Modeling Laboratory, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, I-00128 Rome, Italy
| | - M G Pedersen
- Department of Information Engineering, University of Padua, I-35131 Padua, Italy
| | - M Braun
- Alberta Diabetes Institute, Department of Pharmacology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, T6G 2H7 Alberta, Canada
| | - S Filippi
- Nonlinear Physics and Mathematical Modeling Laboratory, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, I-00128 Rome, Italy
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Rutter GA, Hodson DJ, Chabosseau P, Haythorne E, Pullen TJ, Leclerc I. Local and regional control of calcium dynamics in the pancreatic islet. Diabetes Obes Metab 2017; 19 Suppl 1:30-41. [PMID: 28466490 DOI: 10.1111/dom.12990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2017] [Revised: 04/19/2017] [Accepted: 04/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Ca2+ is the key intracellular regulator of insulin secretion, acting in the β-cell as the ultimate trigger for exocytosis. In response to high glucose, ATP-sensitive K+ channel closure and plasma membrane depolarization engage a sophisticated machinery to drive pulsatile cytosolic Ca2+ changes. Voltage-gated Ca2+ channels, Ca2+ -activated K+ channels and Na+ /Ca2+ exchange all play important roles. The use of targeted Ca2+ probes has revealed that during each cytosolic Ca2+ pulse, uptake of Ca2+ by mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum (ER), secretory granules and lysosomes fine-tune cytosolic Ca2+ dynamics and control organellar function. For example, changes in the expression of the Ca2+ -binding protein Sorcin appear to provide a link between ER Ca2+ levels and ER stress, affecting β-cell function and survival. Across the islet, intercellular communication between highly interconnected "hubs," which act as pacemaker β-cells, and subservient "followers," ensures efficient insulin secretion. Loss of connectivity is seen after the deletion of genes associated with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and follows metabolic and inflammatory insults that characterize this disease. Hubs, which typically comprise ~1%-10% of total β-cells, are repurposed for their specialized role by expression of high glucokinase (Gck) but lower Pdx1 and Nkx6.1 levels. Single cell-omics are poised to provide a deeper understanding of the nature of these cells and of the networks through which they communicate. New insights into the control of both the intra- and intercellular Ca2+ dynamics may thus shed light on T2D pathology and provide novel opportunities for therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guy A Rutter
- Section of Cell Biology and Functional Genomics, Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, and the Imperial Pancreatic Islet Biology and Diabetes Consortium, Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - David J Hodson
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research (IMSR), University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, UK
- Centre for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Birmingham Health Partners, COMPARE University of Birmingham and University of Nottingham Midlands, Birmingham, UK
| | - Pauline Chabosseau
- Section of Cell Biology and Functional Genomics, Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, and the Imperial Pancreatic Islet Biology and Diabetes Consortium, Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Elizabeth Haythorne
- Section of Cell Biology and Functional Genomics, Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, and the Imperial Pancreatic Islet Biology and Diabetes Consortium, Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Timothy J Pullen
- Section of Cell Biology and Functional Genomics, Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, and the Imperial Pancreatic Islet Biology and Diabetes Consortium, Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Isabelle Leclerc
- Section of Cell Biology and Functional Genomics, Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, and the Imperial Pancreatic Islet Biology and Diabetes Consortium, Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College London, London, UK
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Meda P. Gap junction proteins are key drivers of endocrine function. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2017; 1860:124-140. [PMID: 28284720 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2017.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2016] [Revised: 03/03/2017] [Accepted: 03/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
It has long been known that the main secretory cells of exocrine and endocrine glands are connected by gap junctions, made by a variety of connexin species that ensure their electrical and metabolic coupling. Experiments in culture systems and animal models have since provided increasing evidence that connexin signaling contributes to control the biosynthesis and release of secretory products, as well as to the life and death of secretory cells. More recently, genetic studies have further provided the first lines of evidence that connexins also control the function of human glands, which are central to the pathogenesis of major endocrine diseases. Here, we summarize the recent information gathered on connexin signaling in these systems, since the last reviews on the topic, with particular regard to the pancreatic beta cells which produce insulin, and the renal cells which produce renin. These cells are keys to the development of various forms of diabetes and hypertension, respectively, and combine to account for the exploding, worldwide prevalence of the metabolic syndrome. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Gap Junction Proteins edited by Jean Claude Herve.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Meda
- Department of Cell Physiology and Metabolism, University of Geneva Medical School, Switzerland.
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Abstract
The pancreas produces enzymes with a digestive function and hormones with a metabolic function, which are produced by distinct cell types of acini and islets, respectively. Within these units, secretory cells coordinate their functioning by exchanging information via signals that flow in the intercellular spaces and are generated either at distance (several neural and hormonal inputs) or nearby the pancreatic cells themselves (inputs mediated by membrane ionic-specific channels and by ionic- and metabolite-permeant pannexin channels and connexin "hemichannels"). Pancreatic secretory cells further interact via the extracellular matrix of the pancreas (inputs mediated by integrins) and directly with neighboring cells, by mechanisms that do not require extracellular mediators (inputs mediated by gap and tight junction channels). Here, we review the expression and function of the connexins and pannexins that are expressed by the main secretory cells of the exocrine and endocrine pancreatic cells. Available data show that the patterns of expression of these proteins differ in acini and islets, supporting distinct functions in the physiological secretion of pancreatic enzymes and hormones. Circumstantial evidence further suggests that alterations in the signaling provided by these proteins are involved in pancreatic diseases.
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Cherubini C, Filippi S, Gizzi A, Loppini A. Role of topology in complex functional networks of beta cells. PHYSICAL REVIEW. E, STATISTICAL, NONLINEAR, AND SOFT MATTER PHYSICS 2015; 92:042702. [PMID: 26565267 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.92.042702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The activity of pancreatic β cells can be described by biological networks of coupled nonlinear oscillators that, via electrochemical synchronization, release insulin in response to augmented glucose levels. In this work, we analyze the emergent behavior of regular and percolated β-cells clusters through a stochastic mathematical model where "functional" networks arise. We show that the emergence and robustness of the synchronized dynamics depend both on intrinsic and extrinsic parameters. In particular, cellular noise level, glucose concentration, network spatial architecture, and cell-to-cell coupling strength are the key factors for the generation of a rhythmic and robust activity. Their role in the functional network topology associated with β-cells clusters is analyzed and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Cherubini
- Nonlinear Physics and Mathematical Modeling Laboratory, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, I-00128, Rome, Italy
- International Center for Relativistic Astrophysics Network-I.C.R.A.Net, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, I-00128, Rome, Italy
| | - Simonetta Filippi
- Nonlinear Physics and Mathematical Modeling Laboratory, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, I-00128, Rome, Italy
- International Center for Relativistic Astrophysics Network-I.C.R.A.Net, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, I-00128, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessio Gizzi
- Nonlinear Physics and Mathematical Modeling Laboratory, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, I-00128, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Loppini
- Nonlinear Physics and Mathematical Modeling Laboratory, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, I-00128, Rome, Italy
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Ionic imbalance, in addition to molecular crowding, abates cytoskeletal dynamics and vesicle motility during hypertonic stress. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2015; 112:E3104-13. [PMID: 26045497 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1421290112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell volume homeostasis is vital for the maintenance of optimal protein density and cellular function. Numerous mammalian cell types are routinely exposed to acute hypertonic challenge and shrink. Molecular crowding modifies biochemical reaction rates and decreases macromolecule diffusion. Cell volume is restored rapidly by ion influx but at the expense of elevated intracellular sodium and chloride levels that persist long after challenge. Although recent studies have highlighted the role of molecular crowding on the effects of hypertonicity, the effects of ionic imbalance on cellular trafficking dynamics in living cells are largely unexplored. By tracking distinct fluorescently labeled endosome/vesicle populations by live-cell imaging, we show that vesicle motility is reduced dramatically in a variety of cell types at the onset of hypertonic challenge. Live-cell imaging of actin and tubulin revealed similar arrested microfilament motility upon challenge. Vesicle motility recovered long after cell volume, a process that required functional regulatory volume increase and was accelerated by a return of extracellular osmolality to isosmotic levels. This delay suggests that, although volume-induced molecular crowding contributes to trafficking defects, it alone cannot explain the observed effects. Using fluorescent indicators and FRET-based probes, we found that intracellular ATP abundance and mitochondrial potential were reduced by hypertonicity and recovered after longer periods of time. Similar to the effects of osmotic challenge, isovolumetric elevation of intracellular chloride concentration by ionophores transiently decreased ATP production by mitochondria and abated microfilament and vesicle motility. These data illustrate how perturbed ionic balance, in addition to molecular crowding, affects membrane trafficking.
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Lebreton F, Pirog A, Belouah I, Bosco D, Berney T, Meda P, Bornat Y, Catargi B, Renaud S, Raoux M, Lang J. Slow potentials encode intercellular coupling and insulin demand in pancreatic beta cells. Diabetologia 2015; 58:1291-9. [PMID: 25788295 DOI: 10.1007/s00125-015-3558-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2014] [Accepted: 02/23/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
AIMS/HYPOTHESIS Ion fluxes constitute a major integrative signal in beta cells that leads to insulin secretion and regulation of gene expression. Understanding these electrical signals is important for deciphering the endogenous algorithms used by islets to attain homeostasis and for the design of new sensors for monitoring beta cell function. METHODS Mouse and human islets were cultured on multielectrode arrays (MEAs) for 3-13 days. Extracellular electrical activities received on each electrode were continuously amplified and recorded for offline characterisation. RESULTS Differential band-pass filtering of MEA recordings of mouse islets showed two extracellular voltage waveforms: action potentials (lasting 40-60 ms) and very robust slow potentials (SPs, lasting 800-1,500 ms), the latter of which have not been described previously. The frequency of SPs directly correlated with glucose concentration, peaked at 10 mmol/l glucose and was further augmented by picomolar concentrations of glucagon-like peptide-1. SPs required the closure of ATP-dependent potassium channels as they were induced by glucose or glibenclamide but were not elicited by KCl-induced depolarisation. Pharmacological tools and the use of beta cell specific knockout mice showed that SPs reflected cell coupling via connexin 36. Moreover, increasing and decreasing glucose ramps showed hysteresis with reduced glucose sensitivity during the decreasing phase. SPs were also observed in human islets and could be continuously recorded over 24 h. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION This novel electrical signature reflects the syncytial function of the islets and is specific to beta cells. Moreover, the observed hysteresis provides evidence for an endogenous algorithm naturally present in islets to protect against hypoglycaemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fanny Lebreton
- CNRS UMR 5248, Chimie et Biologie des Membranes et Nano-objets, Université de Bordeaux, Batiment B14, Allée Geoffroy St Hilaire, CS90063, 33615, Pessac, France
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14
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Geron E, Boura-Halfon S, Schejter ED, Shilo BZ. The Edges of Pancreatic Islet β Cells Constitute Adhesive and Signaling Microdomains. Cell Rep 2015; 10:317-325. [PMID: 25600867 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2014.12.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2014] [Revised: 11/11/2014] [Accepted: 12/12/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic islet β cells are organized in rosette-like structures around blood vessels and exhibit an artery-to-vein orientation, but they do not display the typical epithelial polarity. It is unclear whether these cells present a functional asymmetry related to their spatial organization. Here, we identify murine β cell edges, the sites at which adjacent cell faces meet at a sharp angle, as surface microdomains of cell-cell adhesion and signaling. The edges are marked by enrichment of F-actin and E-cadherin and are aligned between neighboring cells. The edge organization is E-cadherin contact dependent and correlates with insulin secretion capacity. Edges display elevated levels of glucose transporters and SNAP25 and extend numerous F-actin-rich filopodia. A similar β cell edge organization was observed in human islets. When stimulated, β cell edges exhibit high calcium levels. In view of the functional importance of intra-islet communication, the spatial architecture of their edges may prove fundamental for coordinating physiological insulin secretion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erez Geron
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Sigalit Boura-Halfon
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Eyal D Schejter
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Ben-Zion Shilo
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel.
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Pseudoislet formation enhances gene expression, insulin secretion and cytoprotective mechanisms of clonal human insulin-secreting 1.1B4 cells. Pflugers Arch 2015; 467:2219-28. [DOI: 10.1007/s00424-014-1681-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2014] [Revised: 12/08/2014] [Accepted: 12/18/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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16
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Li W, Cavelti-Weder C, Zhang Y, Zhang Y, Clement K, Donovan S, Gonzalez G, Zhu J, Stemann M, Xu K, Hashimoto T, Yamada T, Nakanishi M, Zhang Y, Zeng S, Gifford D, Meissner A, Weir G, Zhou Q. Long-term persistence and development of induced pancreatic beta cells generated by lineage conversion of acinar cells. Nat Biotechnol 2014; 32:1223-30. [PMID: 25402613 DOI: 10.1038/nbt.3082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2014] [Accepted: 10/23/2014] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Direct lineage conversion is a promising approach to generate therapeutically important cell types for disease modeling and tissue repair. However, the survival and function of lineage-reprogrammed cells in vivo over the long term has not been examined. Here, using an improved method for in vivo conversion of adult mouse pancreatic acinar cells toward beta cells, we show that induced beta cells persist for up to 13 months (the length of the experiment), form pancreatic islet-like structures and support normoglycemia in diabetic mice. Detailed molecular analyses of induced beta cells over 7 months reveal that global DNA methylation changes occur within 10 d, whereas the transcriptional network evolves over 2 months to resemble that of endogenous beta cells and remains stable thereafter. Progressive gain of beta-cell function occurs over 7 months, as measured by glucose-regulated insulin release and suppression of hyperglycemia. These studies demonstrate that lineage-reprogrammed cells persist for >1 year and undergo epigenetic, transcriptional, anatomical and functional development toward a beta-cell phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weida Li
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Claudia Cavelti-Weder
- Section on Islet Cell and Regenerative Biology, Joslin Diabetes Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Yinying Zhang
- 1] Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA. [2] Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kendell Clement
- 1] Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA. [2] Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA. [3] Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Scott Donovan
- 1] Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA. [2] Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Jiang Zhu
- 1] Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA. [2] Center for System Biology and Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Marianne Stemann
- Section on Islet Cell and Regenerative Biology, Joslin Diabetes Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ke Xu
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Tatsu Hashimoto
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Takatsugu Yamada
- Section on Islet Cell and Regenerative Biology, Joslin Diabetes Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Mio Nakanishi
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Yuemei Zhang
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Samuel Zeng
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - David Gifford
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Alexander Meissner
- 1] Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA. [2] Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Gordon Weir
- Section on Islet Cell and Regenerative Biology, Joslin Diabetes Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Qiao Zhou
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
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17
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Liu X, Yan F, Yao H, Chang M, Qin J, Li Y, Wang Y, Pei X. Involvement of RhoA/ROCK in insulin secretion of pancreatic β-cells in 3D culture. Cell Tissue Res 2014; 358:359-69. [PMID: 25129107 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-014-1961-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2014] [Accepted: 07/03/2014] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Cell-cell contacts and interactions between pancreatic β-cells and/or other cell populations within islets are essential for cell survival, insulin secretion, and functional synchronization. Three-dimensional (3D) culture systems supply the ideal microenvironment for islet-like cluster formation and functional maintenance. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, mouse insulinoma 6 (MIN6) cells were cultured in a rotating 3D culture system to form islet-like aggregates. Glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) and the RhoA/ROCK pathway were investigated. In the 3D-cultured MIN6 cells, more endocrine-specific genes were up-regulated, and GSIS was increased to a greater extent than in cells grown in monolayers. RhoA/ROCK inactivation led to F-actin remodeling in the MIN6 cell aggregates and greater insulin exocytosis. The gap junction protein, connexin 36 (Cx36), was up-regulated in MIN6 cell aggregates and RhoA/ROCK-inactivated monolayer cells. GSIS dramatically decreased when Cx36 was knocked down by short interfering RNA and could not be reversed by RhoA/ROCK inactivation. Thus, the RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway is involved in insulin release through the up-regulation of Cx36 expression in 3D-cultured MIN6 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofang Liu
- Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, Beijing Institute of Transfusion Medicine, Beijing, 100850, China
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18
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Schweicher J, Nyitray C, Desai TA. Membranes to achieve immunoprotection of transplanted islets. FRONT BIOSCI-LANDMRK 2014; 19:49-76. [PMID: 24389172 PMCID: PMC4230297 DOI: 10.2741/4195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Transplantation of islet or beta cells is seen as the cure for type 1 diabetes since it allows physiological regulation of blood glucose levels without requiring any compliance from the patients. In order to circumvent the use of immunosuppressive drugs (and their side effects), semipermeable membranes have been developed to encapsulate and immunoprotect transplanted cells. This review presents the historical developments of immunoisolation and provides an update on the current research in this field. A particular emphasis is laid on the fabrication, characterization and performance of membranes developed for immunoisolation applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julien Schweicher
- Therapeutic Micro and Nanotechnology Laboratory, Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), 1700 4 Street, Box 2520, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
| | - Crystal Nyitray
- Therapeutic Micro and Nanotechnology Laboratory, Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), 1700 4 Street, Box 2520, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
| | - Tejal A. Desai
- Therapeutic Micro and Nanotechnology Laboratory, Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), 1700 4 Street, Box 2520, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
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19
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Stamper IJ, Jackson E, Wang X. Phase transitions in pancreatic islet cellular networks and implications for type-1 diabetes. PHYSICAL REVIEW. E, STATISTICAL, NONLINEAR, AND SOFT MATTER PHYSICS 2014; 89:012719. [PMID: 24580269 PMCID: PMC4172977 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.89.012719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2013] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
In many aspects the onset of a chronic disease resembles a phase transition in a complex dynamic system: Quantitative changes accumulate largely unnoticed until a critical threshold is reached, which causes abrupt qualitative changes of the system. In this study we examine a special case, the onset of type-1 diabetes (T1D), a disease that results from loss of the insulin-producing pancreatic islet β cells. Within each islet, the β cells are electrically coupled to each other via gap-junctional channels. This intercellular coupling enables the β cells to synchronize their insulin release, thereby generating the multiscale temporal rhythms in blood insulin that are critical to maintaining blood glucose homeostasis. Using percolation theory we show how normal islet function is intrinsically linked to network connectivity. In particular, the critical amount of β-cell death at which the islet cellular network loses site percolation is consistent with laboratory and clinical observations of the threshold loss of β cells that causes islet functional failure. In addition, numerical simulations confirm that the islet cellular network needs to be percolated for β cells to synchronize. Furthermore, the interplay between site percolation and bond strength predicts the existence of a transient phase of islet functional recovery after onset of T1D and introduction of treatment, potentially explaining the honeymoon phenomenon. Based on these results, we hypothesize that the onset of T1D may be the result of a phase transition of the islet β-cell network.
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Affiliation(s)
- I. J. Stamper
- Department of Physics, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
- The Comprehensive Diabetes Center, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Elais Jackson
- Department of Computer and Information Sciences, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Xujing Wang
- Department of Physics, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
- The Comprehensive Diabetes Center, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
- Systems Biology Center, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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20
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Abstract
The field of nanoscience has produced more hype than probably any other branch of materials science and engineering in its history. Still, the potentials of this new field largely lay undiscovered ahead of us; what we have learnt so far with respect to the peculiarity of physical processes on the nanoscale is only the tip of an iceberg. Elaborated in this critical review is the idea that the surge of interest in physical chemistry of phenomena at the nanoscale presents a natural consequence of the spatial refinement of the human ability to controllably manipulate the substratum of our physical reality. Examples are given to illustrate the sensitivity of material properties to grain size on the nanoscale, a phenomenon that directly contributed to the rise of nanoscience as a special field of scientific inquiry. Main systemic challenges faced by the present and future scientists in this field are also mentioned. In part, this perspective article resembles standing on the constantly expanding seashore of the coast of nanoscience and nanoengineering and envisioning the parts of the island where the most significant advances may be expected to occur and where, therefore, most of the attention of scientist in this field is to be directed: (a) crossing the gap between life science and materials science; (b) increasing experimentation sensitivity; (c) crisscrossing theory and experiments; and (d) conjoining top-down and bottom-up synthetic approaches. As for materials and the application areas discussed, a special emphasis is placed on calcium phosphate nanoparticles and their usage in controlled drug delivery devices and other applications of biomedical relevance. It is argued that the properties of nanoparticles as drug carriers often comprise the critical determinant for- the efficacy of the drug therapy. Therefore, the basic properties of nanoparticles to be optimized for the purpose of maximizing this efficacy are discussed: size, size distribution, morphology, polymorphic nature, crystallinity, biocompatibility, biodegradability, drug elution profiles, and aggregation propensity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vuk Uskoković
- Therapeutic Micro and Nanotechnology Laboratory, Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California, 1700 4th Street, San Francisco, CA 94158-2330, USA.
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21
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Cigliola V, Chellakudam V, Arabieter W, Meda P. Connexins and β-cell functions. Diabetes Res Clin Pract 2013; 99:250-9. [PMID: 23176806 DOI: 10.1016/j.diabres.2012.10.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2012] [Accepted: 10/15/2012] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Proper functioning of pancreatic islets requires that numerous β-cells are properly coordinated. With evolution, many mechanisms have converged, which now allow individual β-cells to sense the state of activity of their neighbors as well as the changes taking place in the extracellular medium, and to regulate accordingly their own function. Here, we review one such mechanism for intercellular coordination, which depends on connexins. These integral membrane proteins accumulate at sites of close apposition between adjacent islet cell membranes, referred to as gap junctions. Recent evidence demonstrates that connexin-dependent signaling is relevant for the in vivo control of insulin biosynthesis and release, as well as for the survival of β-cells under stressing conditions. The data suggest that alterations of this signaling may be implicated in the β-cell alterations which characterize most forms of diabetes, raising the tantalizing possibility that targeting of the direct intercellular communications β-cells establish within each pancreatic islet may provide a novel, therapeutically useful strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Cigliola
- Department of Cell Physiology and Metabolism, University of Geneva School of Medicine, 1 rue Michel-Servet, Geneva, Switzerland
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22
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Portuesi R, Cherubini C, Gizzi A, Buzzetti R, Pozzilli P, Filippi S. A stochastic mathematical model to study the autoimmune progression towards type 1 diabetes. Diabetes Metab Res Rev 2013; 29:194-203. [PMID: 23229223 DOI: 10.1002/dmrr.2382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2012] [Revised: 11/19/2012] [Accepted: 11/30/2012] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The integrity of the interactions and the 3D architecture among beta cell populations in pancreatic islets is critical for proper biosynthesis, storage and release of insulin. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect on electrophysiological signalling of beta cells that is produced by progressive lymphocytic islet cell infiltration (insulitis), by modelling the disruption of pancreatic islet anatomy as a consequence of insulitis and altered glucose concentrations. METHODS On the basis of histopathological images of murine islets from non-obese diabetic mice, we simulated the electrophysiological dynamics of a 3D cluster of mouse beta cells via a stochastic model. Progressive damage was modelled at different glucose concentrations, representing the different glycaemic states in the autoimmune progression towards type 1 diabetes. RESULTS At 31% of dead beta cells (normoglycaemia) and 69% (hyperglycaemia), the system appeared to be biologically robust to maintain regular Ca(2+) ion oscillations guaranteeing an effective insulin release. Simulations at 84%, 94% and 98% grades (severe hyperglycemia) showed that intracellular calcium oscillations were absent. In such conditions, insulin pulsatility is not expected to occur. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that the islet tissue is biophysically robust enough to compensate for high rates of beta cell loss. These predictions can be experimentally tested in vitro by quantifying space and time electrophysiological dynamics of animal islets kept at different glucose gradients. The model indicates the necessity of maintaining glycaemia within the physiological range as soon as possible after diabetes onset to avoid a dramatic interruption of Ca(2+) pulsatility and the consequent drop of insulin release.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Portuesi
- Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, University Campus Bio-Medico, Rome, Italy
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23
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Stožer A, Gosak M, Dolenšek J, Perc M, Marhl M, Rupnik MS, Korošak D. Functional connectivity in islets of Langerhans from mouse pancreas tissue slices. PLoS Comput Biol 2013; 9:e1002923. [PMID: 23468610 PMCID: PMC3585390 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1002923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2012] [Accepted: 12/28/2012] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
We propose a network representation of electrically coupled beta cells in islets of Langerhans. Beta cells are functionally connected on the basis of correlations between calcium dynamics of individual cells, obtained by means of confocal laser-scanning calcium imaging in islets from acute mouse pancreas tissue slices. Obtained functional networks are analyzed in the light of known structural and physiological properties of islets. Focusing on the temporal evolution of the network under stimulation with glucose, we show that the dynamics are more correlated under stimulation than under non-stimulated conditions and that the highest overall correlation, largely independent of Euclidean distances between cells, is observed in the activation and deactivation phases when cells are driven by the external stimulus. Moreover, we find that the range of interactions in networks during activity shows a clear dependence on the Euclidean distance, lending support to previous observations that beta cells are synchronized via calcium waves spreading throughout islets. Most interestingly, the functional connectivity patterns between beta cells exhibit small-world properties, suggesting that beta cells do not form a homogeneous geometric network but are connected in a functionally more efficient way. Presented results provide support for the existing knowledge of beta cell physiology from a network perspective and shed important new light on the functional organization of beta cell syncitia whose structural topology is probably not as trivial as believed so far.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andraž Stožer
- Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Marko Gosak
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia
- Faculty of Civil Engineering, University of Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia
- Faculty of Education, University of Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Jurij Dolenšek
- Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Matjaž Perc
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Marko Marhl
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia
- Faculty of Education, University of Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Marjan Slak Rupnik
- Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia
- CIPKeBiP-Centre of Excellence for Integrated Approaches in Chemistry and Biology of Proteins, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- * E-mail:
| | - Dean Korošak
- Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia
- Faculty of Civil Engineering, University of Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia
- CAMTP - Center for Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, University of Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia
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24
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Meda P. Protein-mediated interactions of pancreatic islet cells. SCIENTIFICA 2013; 2013:621249. [PMID: 24278783 PMCID: PMC3820362 DOI: 10.1155/2013/621249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2012] [Accepted: 12/10/2012] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
The islets of Langerhans collectively form the endocrine pancreas, the organ that is soley responsible for insulin secretion in mammals, and which plays a prominent role in the control of circulating glucose and metabolism. Normal function of these islets implies the coordination of different types of endocrine cells, noticeably of the beta cells which produce insulin. Given that an appropriate secretion of this hormone is vital to the organism, a number of mechanisms have been selected during evolution, which now converge to coordinate beta cell functions. Among these, several mechanisms depend on different families of integral membrane proteins, which ensure direct (cadherins, N-CAM, occludin, and claudins) and paracrine communications (pannexins) between beta cells, and between these cells and the other islet cell types. Also, other proteins (integrins) provide communication of the different islet cell types with the materials that form the islet basal laminae and extracellular matrix. Here, we review what is known about these proteins and their signaling in pancreatic β -cells, with particular emphasis on the signaling provided by Cx36, given that this is the integral membrane protein involved in cell-to-cell communication, which has so far been mostly investigated for effects on beta cell functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Meda
- Department of Cell Physiology and Metabolism, University of Geneva School of Medicine, 1 rue Michel-Servet, 1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
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25
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Mendelsohn AD, Nyitray C, Sena M, Desai TA. Size-controlled insulin-secreting cell clusters. Acta Biomater 2012; 8:4278-84. [PMID: 22902301 PMCID: PMC4030672 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2012.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2012] [Revised: 08/03/2012] [Accepted: 08/08/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
The search for an effective cure for type I diabetes from the transplantation of encapsulated pancreatic β-cell clusters has so far produced sub-optimal clinical outcomes. Previous efforts have not controlled the size of transplanted clusters, a parameter implicated in affecting long-term viability and the secretion of therapeutically sufficient insulin. Here we demonstrate a method based on covalent attachment of patterned laminin for fabricating uniformly size-controlled insulin-secreting cell clusters. We show that cluster size within the range 40-120μm in diameter affects a variety of therapeutically relevant cellular responses including insulin expression, content and secretion. Our studies elucidate two size-dependent phenomena: (1) as the cluster size increases from 40μm to 60μm, glucose stimulation results in a greater amount of insulin produced per cell; and (2) as the cluster size increases beyond 60μm, sustained glucose stimulation results in a greater amount of insulin secreted per cell. Our study describes a method for producing uniformly sized insulin-secreting cell clusters, and since larger cluster sizes risk nutrient availability limitations, our data suggest that 100-120μm clusters may provide optimal viability and efficacy for encapsulated β-cell transplants as a treatment for type I diabetes and that further in vivo evaluation is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam D. Mendelsohn
- UC Berkeley – UCSF Graduate Program in Bioengineering, University of California at San Francisco and University of California at Berkeley, San Francisco, California, 94158
| | - Crystal Nyitray
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California, 94158
| | - Mark Sena
- UC Berkeley – UCSF Graduate Program in Bioengineering, University of California at San Francisco and University of California at Berkeley, San Francisco, California, 94158
| | - Tejal A. Desai
- UC Berkeley – UCSF Graduate Program in Bioengineering, University of California at San Francisco and University of California at Berkeley, San Francisco, California, 94158
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California, 94158
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26
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Matsumoto T, Sakurai K, Tanaka A, Ishibashi T, Tachibana K, Ishikawa K, Yokote K. The anti-ulcer agent, irsogladine, increases insulin secretion by MIN6 cells. Eur J Pharmacol 2012; 685:213-7. [PMID: 22542662 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2012.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2011] [Revised: 03/28/2012] [Accepted: 04/05/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Insulin secretion by pancreatic islets is a multicellular process. In addition to other essential systems, gap junctions are an important component of cell-to-cell communication in pancreatic islets. It is well known that dysfunction of gap junctions causes inappropriate insulin secretion. The anti-ulcer agent, irsogladine, increases gap junctions in some cell types. To examine the effect of irsogladine on insulin secretion, we investigated insulin secretion by MIN6 cells treated with or without irsogladine. The expression of connexin 36 proteins and intracellular cAMP levels were also determined using immunoblotting and ELISA assays, respectively. Irsogladine had no effect on insulin secretion under 5.6mM glucose conditions. However, under 16.7 mM glucose conditions, irsogladine (1.0 × 10(-5)M) induced a 1.7 ± 0.20 fold increase in insulin secretion compared to the control (P<0.05). This effect of irsogladine on insulin secretion was inhibited by the addition of the gap junction inhibitor 18-beta-glycyrrhetinic acid. Irsogladine treatment increased the protein level of connexin 36 in the plasma membrane fraction. The intracellular cAMP level in MIN6 cells was significantly, but mildly, increased by irsogladine treatment. Furthermore, Rp-cAMP and H89 inhibited the effects of irsogladine on insulin secretion under high glucose conditions. Irsogladine increases insulin secretion under high glucose conditions. The up-regulation of gap junction channels and the increased level of intracellular cAMP induced by irsogladine treatment suggest that these phenomena are involved in irsogladine-induced increased insulin secretion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsuyoshi Matsumoto
- Department of Clinical Cell Biology and Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan.
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27
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Potolicchio I, Cigliola V, Velazquez-Garcia S, Klee P, Valjevac A, Kapic D, Cosovic E, Lepara O, Hadzovic-Dzuvo A, Mornjacovic Z, Meda P. Connexin-dependent signaling in neuro-hormonal systems. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2011; 1818:1919-36. [PMID: 22001400 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2011.09.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2011] [Revised: 09/14/2011] [Accepted: 09/23/2011] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The advent of multicellular organisms was accompanied by the development of short- and long-range chemical signalling systems, including those provided by the nervous and endocrine systems. In turn, the cells of these two systems have developed mechanisms for interacting with both adjacent and distant cells. With evolution, such mechanisms have diversified to become integrated in a complex regulatory network, whereby individual endocrine and neuro-endocrine cells sense the state of activity of their neighbors and, accordingly, regulate their own level of functioning. A consistent feature of this network is the expression of connexin-made channels between the (neuro)hormone-producing cells of all endocrine glands and secretory regions of the central nervous system so far investigated in vertebrates. This review summarizes the distribution of connexins in the mammalian (neuro)endocrine systems, and what we know about the participation of these proteins on hormone secretion, the life of the producing cells, and the action of (neuro)hormones on specific targets. The data gathered since the last reviews on the topic are summarized, with particular emphasis on the roles of Cx36 in the function of the insulin-producing beta cells of the endocrine pancreas, and of Cx40 in that of the renin-producing juxta-glomerular epithelioid cells of the kidney cortex. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: The Communicating junctions, composition, structure and characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Potolicchio
- Department of Cell Physiology and Metabolism, University of Geneva Medical School, Switzerland
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28
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Abstract
The appearance of multicellular organisms imposed the development of several mechanisms for cell-to-cell communication, whereby different types of cells coordinate their function. Some of these mechanisms depend on the intercellular diffusion of signal molecules in the extracellular spaces, whereas others require cell-to-cell contact. Among the latter mechanisms, those provided by the proteins of the connexin family are widespread in most tissues. Connexin signaling is achieved via direct exchanges of cytosolic molecules between adjacent cells at gap junctions, for cell-to-cell coupling, and possibly also involves the formation of membrane "hemi-channels," for the extracellular release of cytosolic signals, direct interactions between connexins and other cell proteins, and coordinated influence on the expression of multiple genes. Connexin signaling appears to be an obligatory attribute of all multicellular exocrine and endocrine glands. Specifically, the experimental evidence we review here points to a direct participation of the Cx36 isoform in the function of the insulin-producing β-cells of the endocrine pancreas, and of the Cx40 isoform in the function of the renin-producing juxtaglomerular epithelioid cells of the kidney cortex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Domenico Bosco
- Department of Surgery, University of Geneva Medical School, Geneva, Switzerland
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29
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Klee P, Lamprianou S, Charollais A, Caille D, Sarro R, Cederroth M, Haefliger JA, Meda P. Connexin implication in the control of the murine beta-cell mass. Pediatr Res 2011; 70:142-7. [PMID: 21527868 DOI: 10.1203/pdr.0b013e318220f106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Diabetes develops when the insulin needs of peripheral cells exceed the availability or action of the hormone. This situation results from the death of most beta-cells in type 1 diabetes, and from an inability of the beta-cell mass to adapt to increasing insulin needs in type 2 and gestational diabetes. We analyzed several lines of transgenic mice and showed that connexins (Cxs), the transmembrane proteins that form gap junctions, are implicated in the modulation of the beta-cell mass. Specifically, we found that the native Cx36 does not alter islet size or insulin content, whereas the Cx43 isoform increases both parameters, and Cx32 has a similar effect only when combined with GH. These findings open interesting perspectives for the in vitro and in vivo regulation of the beta-cell mass.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philippe Klee
- Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital of Geneva, Geneva 1211, Switzerland.
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30
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Van Hoof D, Mendelsohn AD, Seerke R, Desai TA, German MS. Differentiation of human embryonic stem cells into pancreatic endoderm in patterned size-controlled clusters. Stem Cell Res 2011; 6:276-85. [DOI: 10.1016/j.scr.2011.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2011] [Revised: 02/22/2011] [Accepted: 02/23/2011] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
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Carvalho CPF, Barbosa HCL, Britan A, Santos-Silva JCR, Boschero AC, Meda P, Collares-Buzato CB. Beta cell coupling and connexin expression change during the functional maturation of rat pancreatic islets. Diabetologia 2010; 53:1428-37. [PMID: 20361177 DOI: 10.1007/s00125-010-1726-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2009] [Accepted: 01/22/2010] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
AIMS/HYPOTHESIS Cell-cell coupling mediated by gap junctions formed from connexin (CX) contributes to the control of insulin secretion in the endocrine pancreas. We investigated the cellular production and localisation of CX36 and CX43, and gap junction-mediated beta cell coupling in pancreatic islets from rats of different ages, displaying different degrees of maturation of insulin secretion. METHODS The presence and distribution of islet connexins were assessed by immunoblotting and immunofluorescence. The expression of connexin genes was evaluated by RT-PCR and quantitative real-time PCR. The ultrastructure of gap junctions and the function of connexin channels were assessed by freeze-fracture electron microscopy and tracer microinjection, respectively. RESULTS Young and adult beta cells, which respond to glucose, expressed significantly higher levels of Cx36 (also known as Gjd2) than fetal and newborn beta cells, which respond poorly to the sugar. Accordingly, adult beta cells also showed a significantly higher membrane density of gap junctions and greater intercellular exchange of ethidium bromide than newborn beta cells. Cx43 (also known as Gja1) was not expressed by beta cells, but was located in various cell types at the periphery of fetal and newborn islets. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION These findings show that the pattern of connexins, gap junction membrane density and coupling changes in islets during the functional maturation of beta cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- C P F Carvalho
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, CEP 13083-970, Brazil
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32
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Mendelsohn AD, Bernards DA, Lowe RD, Desai TA. Patterning of mono- and multilayered pancreatic beta-cell clusters. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2010; 26:9943-9949. [PMID: 20218546 PMCID: PMC2883011 DOI: 10.1021/la1004424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Cluster-size dependent behavior of pancreatic beta-cells has direct implications in islet transplantation therapy for type I diabetes treatment. Control over the cluster size enables evaluation of cluster-size-dependent function, ultimately leading to the production of beta-cell clusters with improved transplant efficacy. This work for the first time demonstrates the use of microcontact-printing-based cell patterning of discrete two- and three-dimensional clusters of pancreatic beta-cells. Both single and multiple cell layers are confined to a 2D area by attaching to patterns of covalently linked laminin and not adhering to surrounding polyethylene glycol. Cell clusters were successfully formed within 24 h for printed patterns in the range 40-120 microm, and simple modulation of the initial cell seeding density leads to the formation of multiple cell layers. Semiquantitative fluorescence microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were used to extensively characterize the surface chemistry. This technique offers exceptional control over cell cluster shape and size, and not only provides an effective tool to study the cluster-size-dependent behavior of pancreatic beta-cells but also has potential applicability to numerous other cell lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam D. Mendelsohn
- Joint Graduate Group in Bioengineering, University of California at San Francisco and University of California at Berkeley, San Francisco, California, 94158
| | - Daniel A. Bernards
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California, 94158
| | - Rachel D. Lowe
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California, 94158
| | - Tejal A. Desai
- Joint Graduate Group in Bioengineering, University of California at San Francisco and University of California at Berkeley, San Francisco, California, 94158
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California, 94158
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Serre-Beinier V, Bosco D, Zulianello L, Charollais A, Caille D, Charpantier E, Gauthier BR, Diaferia GR, Giepmans BN, Lupi R, Marchetti P, Deng S, Buhler L, Berney T, Cirulli V, Meda P. Cx36 makes channels coupling human pancreatic beta-cells, and correlates with insulin expression. Hum Mol Genet 2009; 18:428-39. [PMID: 19000992 PMCID: PMC2638800 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddn370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have documented that the insulin-producing beta-cells of laboratory rodents are coupled by gap junction channels made solely of the connexin36 (Cx36) protein, and have shown that loss of this protein desynchronizes beta-cells, leading to secretory defects reminiscent of those observed in type 2 diabetes. Since human islets differ in several respects from those of laboratory rodents, we have now screened human pancreas, and islets isolated thereof, for expression of a variety of connexin genes, tested whether the cognate proteins form functional channels for islet cell exchanges, and assessed whether this expression changes with beta-cell function in islets of control and type 2 diabetics. Here, we show that (i) different connexin isoforms are differentially distributed in the exocrine and endocrine parts of the human pancreas; (ii) human islets express at the transcript level different connexin isoforms; (iii) the membrane of beta-cells harbors detectable levels of gap junctions made of Cx36; (iv) this protein is concentrated in lipid raft domains of the beta-cell membrane where it forms gap junctions; (v) Cx36 channels allow for the preferential exchange of cationic molecules between human beta-cells; (vi) the levels of Cx36 mRNA correlated with the expression of the insulin gene in the islets of both control and type 2 diabetics. The data show that Cx36 is a native protein of human pancreatic islets, which mediates the coupling of the insulin-producing beta-cells, and contributes to control beta-cell function by modulating gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Domenico Bosco
- Cell Isolation and Transplantation Center, Department of Surgery, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Laurence Zulianello
- Department of Cell Physiology and Metabolism, University of Geneva School of Medicine, CMU 1, rue Michel-Servet, 1211 Geneva 4, CH, Switzerland
| | - Anne Charollais
- Department of Cell Physiology and Metabolism, University of Geneva School of Medicine, CMU 1, rue Michel-Servet, 1211 Geneva 4, CH, Switzerland
| | - Dorothée Caille
- Department of Cell Physiology and Metabolism, University of Geneva School of Medicine, CMU 1, rue Michel-Servet, 1211 Geneva 4, CH, Switzerland
| | - Eric Charpantier
- Department of Cell Physiology and Metabolism, University of Geneva School of Medicine, CMU 1, rue Michel-Servet, 1211 Geneva 4, CH, Switzerland
| | - Benoit R. Gauthier
- Department of Cell Physiology and Metabolism, University of Geneva School of Medicine, CMU 1, rue Michel-Servet, 1211 Geneva 4, CH, Switzerland
| | - Giuseppe R. Diaferia
- Islet Research Laboratory, The Whittier Institute for Diabetes, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Ben N. Giepmans
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Roberto Lupi
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Piero Marchetti
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Shaoping Deng
- Department of Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Léo Buhler
- Surgical Research Unit, Department of Surgery
| | - Thierry Berney
- Cell Isolation and Transplantation Center, Department of Surgery, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Vincenzo Cirulli
- Islet Research Laboratory, The Whittier Institute for Diabetes, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Paolo Meda
- Department of Cell Physiology and Metabolism, University of Geneva School of Medicine, CMU 1, rue Michel-Servet, 1211 Geneva 4, CH, Switzerland
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Wojtusciszyn A, Armanet M, Morel P, Berney T, Bosco D. Insulin secretion from human beta cells is heterogeneous and dependent on cell-to-cell contacts. Diabetologia 2008; 51:1843-52. [PMID: 18665347 DOI: 10.1007/s00125-008-1103-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2008] [Accepted: 07/01/2008] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
AIMS/HYPOTHESIS We assessed the heterogeneity of insulin secretion from human isolated beta cells and its regulation by cell-to-cell contacts. METHODS Insulin secretion from single and paired cells was assessed by a reverse haemolytic plaque assay. The percentage of plaque-forming cells, the mean plaque area and the total plaque development were evaluated after 1 h of stimulation with different secretagogues. RESULTS Not all beta cells were surrounded by a haemolytic plaque under all conditions tested. A small fraction of the beta cell population (20%) secreted more than 90% and 70% of total insulin at 2.2 and 22.2 mmol/l glucose, respectively. Plaque-forming cells, mean plaque area and total plaque development were increased at 12.2 and 22.2 compared with 2.2 mmol/l glucose. Insulin secretion of single beta cells was similar at 12.2 and 22.2 mmol/l glucose. Insulin secretion of beta cell pairs was increased compared with that of single beta cells and was higher at 22.2 than at 12.2 mmol/l glucose. Insulin secretion of beta cells in contact with alpha cells was also increased compared with single beta cells, but was similar at 22.2 compared with 12.2 mmol/l glucose. Delta and other non-beta cells did not increase insulin secretion of contacting beta cells compared with that of single beta cells. Differences in insulin secretion between 22.2 and 12.2 mmol/l glucose were observed in murine but not in human islets. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION Human beta cells are highly heterogeneous in terms of insulin secretion so that a small fraction of beta cells contributes to the majority of insulin secreted. Homologous and heterologous intercellular contacts have a significant impact on insulin secretion and this could be related to the particular architecture of human islets.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Wojtusciszyn
- Cell Isolation and Transplantation Center, Department of Surgery, Geneva University Hospitals, 1 rue Michel Servet, Genève-4, Switzerland
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Nittala A, Wang X. The hyperbolic effect of density and strength of inter beta-cell coupling on islet bursting: a theoretical investigation. Theor Biol Med Model 2008; 5:17. [PMID: 18673579 PMCID: PMC2538510 DOI: 10.1186/1742-4682-5-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2008] [Accepted: 08/03/2008] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Insulin, the principal regulating hormone of blood glucose, is released through the bursting of the pancreatic islets. Increasing evidence indicates the importance of islet morphostructure in its function, and the need of a quantitative investigation. Recently we have studied this problem from the perspective of islet bursting of insulin, utilizing a new 3D hexagonal closest packing (HCP) model of islet structure that we have developed. Quantitative non-linear dependence of islet function on its structure was found. In this study, we further investigate two key structural measures: the number of neighboring cells that each beta-cell is coupled to, nc, and the coupling strength, gc. RESULTS BETA-cell clusters of different sizes with number of beta-cells nbeta ranging from 1-343, nc from 0-12, and gc from 0-1000 pS, were simulated. Three functional measures of islet bursting characteristics--fraction of bursting beta-cells fb, synchronization index lambda, and bursting period Tb, were quantified. The results revealed a hyperbolic dependence on the combined effect of nc and gc. From this we propose to define a dimensionless cluster coupling index or CCI, as a composite measure for islet morphostructural integrity. We show that the robustness of islet oscillatory bursting depends on CCI, with all three functional measures fb, lambda and Tb increasing monotonically with CCI when it is small, and plateau around CCI = 1. CONCLUSION CCI is a good islet function predictor. It has the potential of linking islet structure and function, and providing insight to identify therapeutic targets for the preservation and restoration of islet beta-cell mass and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aparna Nittala
- Max McGee National Research Center for Juvenile Diabetes & Human and Molecular Genetics Center, Medical College of Wisconsin and Children's Research Institute of the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA.
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36
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Charpantier E, Cancela J, Meda P. Beta cells preferentially exchange cationic molecules via connexin 36 gap junction channels. Diabetologia 2007; 50:2332-41. [PMID: 17828386 DOI: 10.1007/s00125-007-0807-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2007] [Accepted: 07/19/2007] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
AIMS/HYPOTHESIS Pancreatic beta cells are connected by gap junction channels made of connexin 36 (Cx36), which permit intercellular exchanges of current-carrying ions (ionic coupling) and other molecules (metabolic coupling). Previous studies have suggested that ionic coupling may extend to larger regions of pancreatic islets than metabolic coupling. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether this apparent discrepancy reflects a difference in the sensitivity of the techniques used to evaluate beta cell communication or a specific characteristic of the Cx36 channels themselves. METHODS We microinjected several gap junction tracers, differing in size and charge, into individual insulin-producing cells and evaluated their intercellular exchange either within intact islets of control, knockout and transgenic mice featuring beta cells with various levels of Cx36, or in cultures of wild-type and Cx36-transfected MIN6 cells. RESULTS We found that (1) Cx36 channels favour the exchange of cations and larger positively charged molecules between beta cells at the expense of anionic molecules; (2) this exchange occurs across sizable portions of pancreatic islets; and (3) during glibenclamide (known as glyburide in the USA and Canada) stimulation beta cell coupling increases to an extent that varies for different gap junction-permeant molecules. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION The data show that beta cells are extensively coupled within pancreatic islets via exchanges of mostly positively charged molecules across Cx36 channels. These exchanges selectively increase during stimulation of insulin secretion. The identification of this permselectivity is expected to facilitate the identification of endogenous permeant molecules and of the mechanism whereby Cx36 signalling significantly contributes to the modulation of insulin secretion.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Charpantier
- Department of Cell Physiology and Metabolism, University of Geneva, C.M.U., 1 rue Michel Servet, 1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
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Bavamian S, Klee P, Britan A, Populaire C, Caille D, Cancela J, Charollais A, Meda P. Islet-cell-to-cell communication as basis for normal insulin secretion. Diabetes Obes Metab 2007; 9 Suppl 2:118-32. [PMID: 17919186 DOI: 10.1111/j.1463-1326.2007.00780.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The emergence of pancreatic islets has necessitated the development of a signalling system for the intra- and inter-islet coordination of beta cells. With evolution, this system has evolved into a complex regulatory network of partially cross-talking pathways, whereby individual cells sense the state of activity of their neighbours and, accordingly, regulate their own level of functioning. A consistent feature of this network in vertebrates is the expression of connexin (Cx)-36-made cell-to-cell channels, which cluster at gap junction domains of the cell membrane, and which adjacent beta cells use to share cytoplasmic ions and small metabolites within individual islets. This chapter reviews what is known about Cx36, and the mechanism whereby this beta-cell connexin significantly regulates insulin secretion. It further outlines other less established functions of the protein and evaluates its potential relevance for the development of novel therapeutic approaches to diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Bavamian
- Department of Cell Physiology and Metabolism, University of Geneva, Medical School, Genève, Switzerland
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Konstantinova I, Nikolova G, Ohara-Imaizumi M, Meda P, Kucera T, Zarbalis K, Wurst W, Nagamatsu S, Lammert E. EphA-Ephrin-A-mediated beta cell communication regulates insulin secretion from pancreatic islets. Cell 2007; 129:359-70. [PMID: 17448994 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2007.02.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 242] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2006] [Revised: 12/22/2006] [Accepted: 02/05/2007] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
In vertebrates, beta cells are aggregated in the form of pancreatic islets. Within these islets, communication between beta cells inhibits basal insulin secretion and enhances glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, thus contributing to glucose homeostasis during fasting and feeding. In the search for the underlying molecular mechanism, we have discovered that beta cells communicate via ephrin-As and EphAs. We provide evidence that ephrin-A5 is required for glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. We further show that EphA-ephrin-A-mediated beta cell communication is bidirectional: EphA forward signaling inhibits insulin secretion, whereas ephrin-A reverse signaling stimulates insulin secretion. EphA forward signaling is downregulated in response to glucose, which indicates that, under basal conditions, beta cells use EphA forward signaling to suppress insulin secretion and that, under stimulatory conditions, they shift to ephrin-A reverse signaling to enhance insulin secretion. Thus, we explain how beta cell communication in pancreatic islets conversely affects basal and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion to improve glucose homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irena Konstantinova
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, 01307 Dresden, Germany
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Rafacho A, Roma LP, Taboga SR, Boschero AC, Bosqueiro JR. Dexamethasone-induced insulin resistance is associated with increased connexin 36 mRNA and protein expression in pancreatic rat islets. Can J Physiol Pharmacol 2007; 85:536-45. [PMID: 17632589 DOI: 10.1139/y07-037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Augmented glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) is an adaptive mechanism exhibited by pancreatic islets from insulin-resistant animal models. Gap junction proteins have been proposed to contribute to islet function. As such, we investigated the expression of connexin 36 (Cx36), connexin 43 (Cx43), and the glucose transporter Glut2 at mRNA and protein levels in pancreatic islets of dexamethasone (DEX)-induced insulin-resistant rats. Study rats received daily injections of DEX (1 mg/kg body mass, i.p.) for 5 days, whereas control rats (CTL) received saline solution. DEX rats exhibited peripheral insulin resistance, as indicated by the significant postabsorptive insulin levels and by the constant rate for glucose disappearance (KITT). GSIS was significantly higher in DEX islets (1.8-fold in 16.7 mmol/L glucose vs. CTL, p < 0.05). A significant increase of 2.25-fold in islet area was observed in DEX vs. CTL islets (p < 0.05). Cx36 mRNA expression was significantly augmented, Cx43 diminished, and Glut2 mRNA was unaltered in islets of DEX vs. CTL (p < 0.05). Cx36 protein expression was 1.6-fold higher than that of CTL islets (p < 0.05). Glut2 protein expression was unaltered and Cx43 was not detected at the protein level. We conclude that DEX-induced insulin resistance is accompanied by increased GSIS and this may be associated with increase of Cx36 protein expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Rafacho
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, S.P, Brazil
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Speier S, Gjinovci A, Charollais A, Meda P, Rupnik M. Cx36-mediated coupling reduces beta-cell heterogeneity, confines the stimulating glucose concentration range, and affects insulin release kinetics. Diabetes 2007; 56:1078-86. [PMID: 17395748 DOI: 10.2337/db06-0232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 133] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
We studied the effect of gap junctional coupling on the excitability of beta-cells in slices of pancreas, which provide a normal environment for islet cells. The electrophysiological properties of beta-cells from mice (C57Bl/6 background) lacking the gap junction protein connexin36 (Cx36(-/-)) were compared with heterozygous (Cx36(+/-)) and wild-type littermates (Cx36(+/+)) and with frequently used wild-type NMRI mice. Most electrophysiological characteristics of beta-cells were found to be unchanged after the knockout of Cx36, except the density of Ca(2+) channels, which was increased in uncoupled cells. With closed ATP-sensitive K(+) (K(ATP)) channels, the electrically coupled beta-cells of Cx36(+/+) and Cx36(+/-) mice were hyperpolarized by the membrane potential of adjacent, inactive cells. Additionally, the hyperpolarization of one beta-cell could attenuate or even stop the electrical activity of nearby coupled cells. In contrast, beta-cells of Cx36(-/-) littermates with blocked K(ATP) channels rapidly depolarized and exhibited a continuous electrical activity. Absence of electrical coupling modified the electrophysiological properties of beta-cells consistent with the reported increase in basal insulin release and altered the switch on/off response of beta-cells during an acute drop of the glucose concentration. Our data indicate an important role for Cx36-gap junctions in modulating stimulation threshold and kinetics of insulin release.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephan Speier
- The Rolf Luft Center for Diabetes Research, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital L1, Stockholm, Sweden.
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Ait-Lounis A, Baas D, Barras E, Benadiba C, Charollais A, Nlend Nlend R, Liègeois D, Meda P, Durand B, Reith W. Novel function of the ciliogenic transcription factor RFX3 in development of the endocrine pancreas. Diabetes 2007; 56:950-9. [PMID: 17229940 DOI: 10.2337/db06-1187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
The transcription factor regulatory factor X (RFX)-3 regulates the expression of genes required for the growth and function of cilia. We show here that mouse RFX3 is expressed in developing and mature pancreatic endocrine cells during embryogenesis and in adults. RFX3 expression already is evident in early Ngn3-positive progenitors and is maintained in all major pancreatic endocrine cell lineages throughout their development. Primary cilia of hitherto unknown function present on these cells consequently are reduced in number and severely stunted in Rfx3(-/-) mice. This ciliary abnormality is associated with a developmental defect leading to a uniquely altered cellular composition of the islets of Langerhans. Just before birth, Rfx3(-/-) islets contain considerably less insulin-, glucagon-, and ghrelin-producing cells, whereas pancreatic polypeptide-positive cells are markedly increased in number. In adult mice, the defect leads to small and disorganized islets, reduced insulin production, and impaired glucose tolerance. These findings suggest that RFX3 participates in the mechanisms that govern pancreatic endocrine cell differentiation and that the presence of primary cilia on islet cells may play a key role in this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aouatef Ait-Lounis
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, University of Geneva Medical School, 1 Rue Michel-Servet, CH-1211, Geneva, Switzerland
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Schmid GM, Meda P, Caille D, Wargent E, O'Dowd J, Hochstrasser DF, Cawthorne MA, Sanchez JC. Inhibition of insulin secretion by betagranin, an N-terminal chromogranin A fragment. J Biol Chem 2007; 282:12717-24. [PMID: 17289672 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m700788200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Betagranin, an N-terminal fragment of chromogranin A, results from a proteolytic processing, and is co-secreted with insulin. While other chromogranin A-derived peptides negatively modulate hormone secretion, the role of betagranin in pancreatic beta-cells is so far unknown. We have recently shown that pancreatic islet betagranin levels are down-regulated in obese, leptin-deficient mice. In the present study, we have investigated the distribution of betagranin in primary mouse islets and cells of the MIN6 line and have evaluated its effects on insulin secretion. We showed that betagranin co-localizes with insulin within secretory granules and strongly inhibited insulin secretion in response to both glucose and potassium, by blocking the influx of calcium. The data demonstrated a hitherto unknown inhibitory effect of betagranin on insulin secretion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerhard M Schmid
- Biomedical Proteomics Research Group (BPRG), Department of Structural Biology and Bioinformatics, Geneva University Medical Center, CH-1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
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43
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Nlend RN, Michon L, Bavamian S, Boucard N, Caille D, Cancela J, Charollais A, Charpantier E, Klee P, Peyrou M, Populaire C, Zulianello L, Meda P. Connexin36 and pancreatic beta-cell functions. Arch Physiol Biochem 2006; 112:74-81. [PMID: 16931449 DOI: 10.1080/13813450600712019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Most cell types are functionally coupled by connexin (Cx) channels, i.e. exchange cytoplasmic ions and small metabolites through gap junction domains of their membrane. This form of direct cell-to-cell communication occurs in all existing animals, whatever their position in the phylogenetic scale, and up to humans. Pancreatic beta-cells are no exception, and normally cross-talk with their neighbors via channels made of Cx36. These exchanges importantly contribute to coordinate and synchronize the function of individual cells within pancreatic islets, particularly in the context of glucose-induced insulin secretion. Compelling evidence now indicates that Cx36-mediated coupling, and/or the Cx36 protein per se, play significant regulatory roles in various beta-cell functions, ranging from the biosynthesis, storage and release of insulin. Recent preliminary data further suggest that the protein may also be implicated in the balance of beta-cell growth versus necrosis and apoptosis, and in the regulated expression of specific genes. Here, we review this evidence, discuss the possible involvement of Cx36 in the pathophysiology of diabetes, and evaluate the relevance of this connexin in the therapeutic approaches to the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Nlend Nlend
- Department of Cell Physiology and Metabolism, University of Geneva, Medical School, 1211 Genève 4, Switzerland
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44
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Luther MJ, Hauge-Evans A, Souza KLA, Jörns A, Lenzen S, Persaud SJ, Jones PM. MIN6 beta-cell-beta-cell interactions influence insulin secretory responses to nutrients and non-nutrients. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2006; 343:99-104. [PMID: 16529716 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2006.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2006] [Accepted: 02/02/2006] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Insulin-secreting MIN6 cells show greatly enhanced secretory responsiveness to nutrients when grown as islet-like structures (pseudoislets). Since beta-cells use different mechanisms to respond to nutrient and non-nutrient stimuli, we have now investigated the role of homotypic beta-cell interactions in secretory responses to pharmacological or receptor-operated non-nutrient stimuli in MIN6 pseudoislets. In addition to an enhanced secretory responsiveness to glucose, insulin secretion from MIN6 pseudoislets was also enhanced by non-nutrients, including carbachol, tolbutamide, PMA, and forskolin. The improved secretory responsiveness was dependent on the cells being configured as pseudoislets and was lost on dispersal of the pseudoislets into single cells and regained on the re-formation of pseudoislet structures. These observations emphasise the importance of islet anatomy on secretory responsiveness, and demonstrate that homotypic beta-cell interactions play an important role in generating physiologically appropriate insulin secretory responses to both nutrient and non-nutrient stimuli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie J Luther
- Beta Cell Development and Function Group, King's College London, London, UK.
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45
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Somm E, Cettour-Rose P, Asensio C, Charollais A, Klein M, Theander-Carrillo C, Juge-Aubry CE, Dayer JM, Nicklin MJH, Meda P, Rohner-Jeanrenaud F, Meier CA. Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist is upregulated during diet-induced obesity and regulates insulin sensitivity in rodents. Diabetologia 2006; 49:387-93. [PMID: 16385385 DOI: 10.1007/s00125-005-0046-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2005] [Accepted: 07/24/2005] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
AIMS/HYPOTHESIS The IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) is an anti-inflammatory cytokine known to antagonise the actions of IL-1. We have previously shown that IL-1Ra is markedly upregulated in the serum of obese patients, is correlated with BMI and insulin resistance, and is overexpressed in the white adipose tissue (WAT) of obese humans. The aim of this study was to examine the role of IL-1Ra in the regulation of glucose homeostasis in rodents. METHODS We assessed the expression of genes related to IL-1 signalling in the WAT of mice fed a high-fat diet, as well as the effect of Il1rn (the gene for IL-1Ra) deletion and treatment with IL-1Ra on glucose homeostasis in rodents. RESULTS We show that the expression of Il1rn and the gene encoding the inhibitory type II IL-1 receptor was upregulated in diet-induced obesity. The blood insulin:glucose ratio was significantly lower in Il1rn ( -/- )animals, which is compatible with an increased sensitivity to insulin, reinforced by the fact that the insulin content and pancreatic islet morphology of Il1rn ( -/- ) animals were normal. In contrast, the administration of IL-1Ra to normal rats for 5 days led to a decrease in the whole-body glucose disposal due to a selective decrease in muscle-specific glucose uptake. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION The expression of genes encoding inhibitors of IL-1 signalling is upregulated in the WAT of mice with diet-induced obesity, and IL-1Ra reduces insulin sensitivity in rats through a muscle-specific decrease in glucose uptake. These results suggest that the markedly increased levels of IL-1Ra in human obesity might contribute to the development of insulin resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Somm
- Endocrine Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital, 24 rue Micheli-du-Crest, CH-1211 Geneva 14, Switzerland
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46
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Michon L, Nlend Nlend R, Bavamian S, Bischoff L, Boucard N, Caille D, Cancela J, Charollais A, Charpantier E, Klee P, Peyrou M, Populaire C, Zulianello L, Meda P. Involvement of gap junctional communication in secretion. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2005; 1719:82-101. [PMID: 16359942 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2005.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2005] [Revised: 10/31/2005] [Accepted: 11/07/2005] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Glands were the first type of tissues in which the permissive role of gap junctions in the cell-to-cell transfer of membrane-impermeant molecules was shown. During the 40 years that have followed this seminal finding, gap junctions have been documented in all types of multicellular secretory systems, whether of the exocrine, endocrine or pheromonal nature. Also, compelling evidence now indicates that gap junction-mediated coupling, and/or the connexin proteins per se, play significant regulatory roles in various aspects of gland functions, ranging from the biosynthesis, storage and release of a variety of secretory products, to the control of the growth and differentiation of secretory cells, and to the regulation of gland morphogenesis. This review summarizes this evidence in the light of recent reports.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laetitia Michon
- Department of Cell Physiology and Metabolism, University of Geneva, C.M.U., 1 rue Michel Servet, 1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
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Collares-Buzato CB, Carvalho CPF, Furtado AG, Boschero AC. Upregulation of the expression of tight and adherens junction-associated proteins during maturation of neonatal pancreatic islets in vitro. J Mol Histol 2005; 35:811-22. [PMID: 15609094 DOI: 10.1007/s10735-004-1746-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Cell-cell contacts mediated by intercellular junctions are crucial for proper insulin secretion in the endocrine pancreas. The biochemical composition of the intercellular junctions in this organ and the role of junctional proteins in endocrine pancreatic dysfunctions are still unclear. In this study, we investigated the expression and cellular location of junctional and cytoskeletal proteins in cultured neonatal rat pancreatic islets. Neonatal B-cells had an impaired insulin secretion compared to adult cells. Cultured neonatal islets showed a time-dependent increase in the glucose-induced secretory response. The maturation of B-cells in vitro was accompanied by upregulation of the expression of some junctional proteins in islet cells. Neonatal islets cultured for only 24 h showed a low expression and a diffuse cytoplasmic location of the tight junctional proteins occludin and ZO-1 and of the adherens junctional proteins alpha- and beta-catenins, as demonstrated by immunoblotting and immunocytochemistry. Culturing islets for up to 8 days significantly increased the cell expression of these junctional proteins but not of the cytoskeletal proteins vinculin and alpha-actinin. A translocation of ZO-1 and catenins to the cell-cell contact region, as well as a higher association of F-actin with the intercellular junction, were also observed in neonatal islets following prolonged culturing. ZO-1 and beta-catenin were immunolocated in the endocrine pancreas of adult rats indicating that these junctional proteins are also expressed in this organ in situ. In conclusion, endocrine pancreatic cells express several junctional proteins that are upregulated following differentiation of the endocrine pancreas in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla B Collares-Buzato
- Department of Histology and Embryology, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), 13083-970, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
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Leite AR, Carvalho CPF, Furtado AG, Barbosa HCL, Boschero AC, Collares-Buzato CB. Co-expression and regulation of connexins 36 and 43 in cultured neonatal rat pancreatic islets. Can J Physiol Pharmacol 2005; 83:142-51. [PMID: 15791287 DOI: 10.1139/y04-133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Fetal and neonatal pancreatic islets present a lower insulin secretory response as compared with adult islets. Prolonged culturing leads to an improvement of the glucose-induced insulin secretion response in neonatal pancreatic islets that may involve regulation of gap junction mediated cell communication. In this study, we investigated the effect of culturing neonatal islet cells for varying periods of time and with different glucose medium concentrations on the cellular expression of the endocrine pancreatic gap junction associated connexin (Cx) 36 and Cx43. We report here that the 7-d culture induced upregulation of the expression of these junctional proteins in neonatal islets in a time-dependent manner. A correlation was observed between the increased mRNA and protein expression of Cx36 and Cx43 and the increased insulin secretion following islet culturing. In addition, increasing glucose concentration within the culture medium induced a concentration-dependent enhancement of Cx36 islet expression, but not of Cx43 expression in cultured neonatal islets. In conclusion, we suggest that the regulation of gap junctional proteins by culture medium containing factors and glucose may be an important event for the maturation process of beta cells observed at in vitro conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- A R Leite
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Brasil
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Calabrese A, Caton D, Meda P. Differentiating the effects of Cx36 and E-cadherin for proper insulin secretion of MIN6 cells. Exp Cell Res 2004; 294:379-91. [PMID: 15023528 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2003.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2003] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Connexins have been implicated in many cell functions, even though in most cases it is still unclear whether these functions may actually be mediated by other proteins that are secondarily affected by connexin changes. Secretory systems provide useful models in which to tackle this central question. Primary pancreatic beta-cells and insulin-producing lines are connected by gap junction channels made of Cx36. Using stable transfection of an antisense Cx36 cDNA, we have previously obtained clones of MIN6 cells that featured a markedly reduced expression of Cx36 and impaired insulin secretion. Here, we first show that this change also resulted in loss of E-cadherin and occludin expression, thus preventing the attribution of the secretory defects to a specific type of membrane protein. To investigate this question, we have now restored the expression of either Cx36 or E-cadherin in the Cx36 antisense-transfected cells. We show that a lentivirus-mediated transduction efficiently restored Cx36 expression in MIN6 cells and allowed for expression of variable levels of this protein. We further document that adequate but not excessive levels of Cx36 allowed for recover of normal insulin secretion in response to various secretagogues. Finally, we demonstrate that restoration of normal E-cadherin expression was not able to achieve the same secretory correction. The data demonstrate that Cx36, but not E-cadherin, is necessary to control specific steps of beta-cell secretion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Calabrese
- Department of Morphology, University of Geneva Medical School, Geneva, Switzerland.
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Le Gurun S, Martin D, Formenton A, Maechler P, Caille D, Waeber G, Meda P, Haefliger JA. Connexin-36 contributes to control function of insulin-producing cells. J Biol Chem 2003; 278:37690-7. [PMID: 12766175 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m212382200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Connexin-36 (Cx36) is a gap junction protein expressed by the insulin-producing beta-cells. We investigated the contribution of this protein in normal beta-cell function by using a viral gene transfer approach to alter Cx36 content in the insulin-producing line of INS-1E cells and rat pancreatic islets. Transcripts for Cx43, Cx45, and Cx36 were detected by reverse transcriptase-PCR in freshly isolated pancreatic islets, whereas only a transcript for Cx36 was detected in INS-1E cells. After infection with a sense viral vector, which induced de novo Cx36 expression in the Cx-defective HeLa cells we used to control the transgene expression, Western blot, immunofluorescence, and freeze-fracture analysis showed a large increase of Cx36 within INS-1E cell membranes. In contrast, after infection with an antisense vector, Cx36 content was decreased by 80%. Glucose-induced insulin release and insulin content were decreased, whether infected INS-1E cells expressed Cx36 levels that were largely higher or lower than those observed in wild-type control cells. In both cases, basal insulin secretion was unaffected. Comparable observations on basal secretion and insulin content were made in freshly isolated rat pancreatic islets. The data indicate that large changes in Cx36 alter insulin content and, at least in INS-1E cells, also affect glucose-induced insulin release.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Le Gurun
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital, CHUV-1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
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