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Abstract
The following review focuses on the scientific studies related to the role of endocannabinoid system (ECS) in pancreatic islet physiology and dysfunction. Different natural or synthetic agonists and antagonists have been suggested as an alternative treatment for diabetes, obesity and metabolic syndrome. Therapeutic use of Cannabis led to the discovery and characterization of the ECS, a signaling complex involved in regulation of various physiological processes, including food intake and metabolism. After the development of different agonists and antagonists, evidence have demonstrated the presence and activity of cannabinoid receptors in several organs and tissues, including pancreatic islets. Insulin and glucagon expression, stimulated secretion, and the development of diabetes and other metabolic disorders have been associated with the activity and modulation of ECS in pancreatic islets. However, according to the animal model and experimental design, either endogenous or pharmacological ligands of cannabinoid receptors have guided to contradictory and paradoxical results that suggest a complex physiological interaction. In consensus, ECS activity modulates insulin and glucagon secretions according to glucose in media; over-stimulation of cannabinoid receptors affects islets negatively, leading to glucose intolerance, meanwhile the treatment with antagonists in diabetic models and humans suggests an improvement in islets function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edgardo Cortes-Justo
- Posgrado e Investigación, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico NacionalMexico CityMexico
| | - Sergio H Garfias-Ramírez
- Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Coyoacán, Mexico
| | - Alonso Vilches-Flores
- Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Coyoacán, Mexico
- CONTACT Alonso Vilches-Flores Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala. Edif.A4 Lab 4, Los Reyes Iztacala, Tlalnepantla54090, Mexico
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Garcia-Luna GM, Bermudes-Contreras JD, Hernández-Correa S, Suarez-Ortiz JO, Diaz-Urbina D, Garfias-Ramirez SH, Vega AV, Villalobos-Molina R, Vilches-Flores A. Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Treatment Modifies Insulin Secretion in Pancreatic Islets from Prediabetic Mice Under Hypercaloric Diet. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res 2023. [PMID: 37267277 DOI: 10.1089/can.2023.0017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: The endocannabinoid system over-activation is associated with type-2 diabetes mellitus onset, involving physiological, metabolic, and genetic alterations in pancreatic islets. The use of Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) as treatment is still controversial since its effects and mechanisms on insulin secretion are unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of THC treatment in pancreatic islets from prediabetic mice. Methods: Prediabetes was induced in mice by hypercaloric diet, and then treated with THC for 3 weeks. Blood glucose and body weight were determined, after behavior tests. Histological changes were evaluated in whole pancreas; in isolated islets we analyzed the effect of THC exposure in glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS), gene expression, intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), and cytosolic calcium changes. Results: THC treatment in prediabetic mice enhanced anxiety and antidepressive behavior without changes in food ingestion, decreased oral-glucose tolerance test, plasma insulin and weight, with small alterations on pancreatic histology. In isolated islets from healthy mice THC increased GSIS, cAMP, and CB1 receptor (CB1r) expression, meanwhile calcium release was diminished. Small changes were observed in islets from prediabetic mice. Conclusions: THC treatment improves some clinical parameters in prediabetic mice, however, in isolated islets, modifies GSIS, intracellular calcium and gene expression, suggesting specific effects related to diabetes evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guadalupe M Garcia-Luna
- FES Iztacala, Department of Medical Research, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Tlalnepantla, Mexico
| | - J David Bermudes-Contreras
- FES Iztacala, Department of Medical Research, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Tlalnepantla, Mexico
| | - Samantha Hernández-Correa
- FES Iztacala, Department of Medical Research, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Tlalnepantla, Mexico
| | - Josue O Suarez-Ortiz
- FES Iztacala, Department of Medical Research, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Tlalnepantla, Mexico
| | - Daniel Diaz-Urbina
- FES Iztacala, Department of Medical Research, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Tlalnepantla, Mexico
| | - Sergio H Garfias-Ramirez
- FES Iztacala, Department of Medical Research, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Tlalnepantla, Mexico
| | - Ana V Vega
- FES Iztacala, Department of Medical Research, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Tlalnepantla, Mexico
| | - Rafael Villalobos-Molina
- FES Iztacala, Department of Medical Research, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Tlalnepantla, Mexico
| | - Alonso Vilches-Flores
- FES Iztacala, Department of Medical Research, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Tlalnepantla, Mexico
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Nava-Molina L, Uchida-Fuentes T, Ramos-Tovar H, Fregoso-Padilla M, Rodríguez-Monroy MA, Vega AV, Navarrete-Vázquez G, Andrade-Jorge E, Villalobos-Molina R, Ortiz-Ortega R, Vilches-Flores A. Novel CB1 receptor antagonist BAR-1 modifies pancreatic islet function and clinical parameters in prediabetic and diabetic mice. Nutr Diabetes 2020; 10:7. [PMID: 32132523 PMCID: PMC7055595 DOI: 10.1038/s41387-020-0110-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2019] [Revised: 01/02/2020] [Accepted: 01/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUDS Cannabinoid receptor antagonists have been suggested as a novel treatment for obesity and diabetes. We have developed a synthetic cannabinoid receptor antagonist denominated BAR-1. As the function and integrity of a β-cell cellular structure are important keys for diabetes onset, we evaluated the effects of pharmacological administration of BAR-1 on prediabetic and diabetic rodents. METHODS CD-1 mice fed a hypercaloric diet or treated with streptozotocin were treated with 10 mg/kg BAR-1 for 2, 4 or 8 weeks. Body weight, oral glucose tolerance test, HbA1c, triglycerides and insulin in serum were measured. In isolated islets, we evaluated stimulated secretion and mRNA expression, and relative area of islets in fixed pancreases. Docking analysis of BAR-1 was complemented. RESULTS BAR-1 treatment slowed down weight gain in prediabetic mice. Fasting glucose-insulin relation also decreased in BAR-1-treated mice and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion was increased in isolated islets, without effects in oral test. Diabetic mice treated with BAR-1 showed a reduced glucose and a partial recovery of islet integrity. Gene expression of insulin and glucagon showed biphasic behaviour, increasing after 4 weeks of BAR-1 administration; however, after 8 weeks, mRNA abundance decreased significantly. Administration of BAR-1 also prevents changes in endocannabinoid element expression observed in prediabetic mice. No changes were detected in other parameters studied, including the histological structure. A preliminary in-silico study suggests a close interaction with CB1 receptor. CONCLUSIONS BAR-1 induces improvement of islet function, isolated from both prediabetic and diabetic mice. Effects of BAR-1 suggest a possible interaction with other cannabinoid receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lesly Nava-Molina
- Unidad de Biomedicina, FES Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. Av. de Los Barrios 1, Los Reyes Iztacala, C.P., 54090, Tlalnepantla, Mexico
| | - Toyokazu Uchida-Fuentes
- Unidad de Biomedicina, FES Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. Av. de Los Barrios 1, Los Reyes Iztacala, C.P., 54090, Tlalnepantla, Mexico
| | - Héctor Ramos-Tovar
- Unidad de Biomedicina, FES Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. Av. de Los Barrios 1, Los Reyes Iztacala, C.P., 54090, Tlalnepantla, Mexico
| | - Martha Fregoso-Padilla
- Unidad de Biomedicina, FES Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. Av. de Los Barrios 1, Los Reyes Iztacala, C.P., 54090, Tlalnepantla, Mexico
| | - Marco Aurelio Rodríguez-Monroy
- Unidad de Biomedicina, FES Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. Av. de Los Barrios 1, Los Reyes Iztacala, C.P., 54090, Tlalnepantla, Mexico
| | - Ana V Vega
- Unidad de Biomedicina, FES Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. Av. de Los Barrios 1, Los Reyes Iztacala, C.P., 54090, Tlalnepantla, Mexico
| | - Gabriel Navarrete-Vázquez
- Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos. Av. Universidad 1001, Chamilpa, C.P., 62209, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Erik Andrade-Jorge
- Unidad de Biomedicina, FES Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. Av. de Los Barrios 1, Los Reyes Iztacala, C.P., 54090, Tlalnepantla, Mexico
| | - Rafael Villalobos-Molina
- Unidad de Biomedicina, FES Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. Av. de Los Barrios 1, Los Reyes Iztacala, C.P., 54090, Tlalnepantla, Mexico
| | - Ricardo Ortiz-Ortega
- Unidad de Biomedicina, FES Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. Av. de Los Barrios 1, Los Reyes Iztacala, C.P., 54090, Tlalnepantla, Mexico
| | - Alonso Vilches-Flores
- Unidad de Biomedicina, FES Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. Av. de Los Barrios 1, Los Reyes Iztacala, C.P., 54090, Tlalnepantla, Mexico.
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Vilches-Flores A, Franklin Z, Hauge-Evans AC, Liu B, Huang GC, Choudhary P, Jones PM, Persaud SJ. Prolonged activation of human islet cannabinoid receptors in vitro induces adaptation but not dysfunction. BBA Clin 2016; 5:143-50. [PMID: 27114924 PMCID: PMC4832123 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbacli.2016.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2016] [Revised: 03/26/2016] [Accepted: 03/29/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although in vivo studies have implicated endocannabinoids in metabolic dysfunction, little is known about direct, chronic activation of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in human islets. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of prolonged exposure to cannabinoid agonists on human islet gene expression and function. METHODS Human islets were maintained for 2 and 5 days in the absence or presence of CB1r (ACEA) or CB2r (JWH015) agonists. Gene expression was quantified by RT-PCR, hormone levels by radioimmunoassay and apoptosis by caspase activities. RESULTS Human islets express an ECS, with mRNAs encoding the biosynthetic and degrading enzymes NAPE-PLD, FAAH and MAGL being considerably more abundant than DAGLα, an enzyme involved in 2-AG synthesis, or CB1 and CB2 receptor mRNAs. Prolonged activation of CB1r and CB2r altered expression of mRNAs encoding ECS components, but did not have major effects on islet hormone secretion. JWH015 enhanced insulin and glucagon content at 2 days, but had no effect after 5 days. Treatment with ACEA or JWH015 for up to 5 days did not have marked effects on islet viability, as assessed by morphology and caspase activities. CONCLUSIONS Maintenance of human islets for up to 5 days in the presence of CB1 and CB2 receptor agonists causes modifications in ECS element gene expression, but does not have any major impact on islet function or viability. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE These data suggest that the metabolic dysfunction associated with over-activation of the ECS in obesity and diabetes in humans is unlikely to be secondary to impaired islet function.
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Key Words
- 2-AG, 2-arachidonoyl glycerol
- ACEA, N-(2-Chloroethyl)-5Z,8Z,11Z,14Z-eiscosatetraenamide
- AEA, anandamide
- Apoptosis
- CB1r, cannabinoid receptor type 1
- CB2r, cannabinoid receptor type 2
- DAGL, diacylglycerol lipase
- ECS, endocannabinoid system
- Endocannabinoid system
- FAAH, fatty acid amide hydrolase
- Gene expression
- Glucagon
- Human islets
- Insulin
- JWH015, (2-methyl-1propyl-1H-indol-3-yl)-1-napthalenylmethanone
- MAGL, monoacylglycerol lipase
- NAPE-PLD, N-acyl-phosphatidyl ethanolamide-hydrolysing phospholipase D
- PPG, preproglucagon
- PPI, preproinsulin
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Affiliation(s)
- Alonso Vilches-Flores
- Diabetes Research Group, Division of Diabetes and Nutritional Sciences, King's College London, UK
- Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, FES Iztacala, Mexico
| | - Zara Franklin
- Diabetes Research Group, Division of Diabetes and Nutritional Sciences, King's College London, UK
| | - Astrid C. Hauge-Evans
- Diabetes Research Group, Division of Diabetes and Nutritional Sciences, King's College London, UK
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Roehampton, London, UK
| | - Bo Liu
- Diabetes Research Group, Division of Diabetes and Nutritional Sciences, King's College London, UK
| | - Guo C. Huang
- Diabetes Research Group, Division of Diabetes and Nutritional Sciences, King's College London, UK
| | - Pratik Choudhary
- Diabetes Research Group, Division of Diabetes and Nutritional Sciences, King's College London, UK
| | - Peter M. Jones
- Diabetes Research Group, Division of Diabetes and Nutritional Sciences, King's College London, UK
| | - Shanta J. Persaud
- Diabetes Research Group, Division of Diabetes and Nutritional Sciences, King's College London, UK
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Hauge-Evans AC, Reers C, Kerby A, Franklin Z, Amisten S, King AJ, Hassan Z, Vilches-Flores A, Tippu Z, Persaud SJ, Jones PM. Effect of hyperglycaemia on muscarinic M3 receptor expression and secretory sensitivity to cholinergic receptor activation in islets. Diabetes Obes Metab 2014; 16:947-56. [PMID: 24720683 DOI: 10.1111/dom.12301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2013] [Revised: 03/10/2014] [Accepted: 04/04/2014] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Islets are innervated by parasympathetic nerves which release acetylcholine (ACh) to amplify glucose-induced insulin secretion, primarily via muscarinic M3 receptors (M3R). Here we investigate the consequence of chronic hyperglycaemia on islet M3R expression and secretory sensitivity of mouse islets to cholinergic receptor activation. METHODS The impact of hyperglycaemia was studied in (i) islets isolated from ob/ob mice, (ii) alginate-encapsulated mouse islets transplanted intraperitoneally into streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice and (iii) mouse and human islets maintained in vitro at 5.5 or 16 mmol/l glucose. Blood glucose levels were assessed by a commercial glucose meter, insulin content by RIA and M3R expression by qPCR and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS M3R mRNA expression was reduced in both ob/ob islets and islets maintained at 16 mmol/l glucose for 3 days (68 and 50% control, respectively). In all three models of hyperglycaemia the secretory sensitivity to the cholinergic receptor agonist, carbachol, was reduced by 60-70% compared to control islets. Treatment for 72 h with the irreversible PKC activator, PMA, or the PKC inhibitor, Gö6983, did not alter islet M3R mRNA expression nor did incubation with the PI3K-inhibitor, LY294002, although enhancement of glucose-induced insulin secretion by LY294002 was reduced in islets maintained at 16 mmol/l glucose, as was mRNA expression of the PI3K regulatory subunit, p85α. CONCLUSIONS Cholinergic regulation of insulin release is impaired in three experimental islet models of hyperglycaemia consistent with reduced expression of M3 receptors. Our data suggest that the receptor downregulation is a PKC- and PI3K-independent consequence of the hyperglycaemic environment, and they imply that M3 receptors could be potential targets in the treatment of type 2 diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- A C Hauge-Evans
- Diabetes Research Group, Division of Diabetes and Nutritional Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
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Espíndola S, Vilches-Flores A, Hernández-Echeagaray E. 3-Nitropropionic acid modifies neurotrophin mRNA expression in the mouse striatum: 18S-rRNA is a reliable control gene for studies of the striatum. Neurosci Bull 2012; 28:517-31. [PMID: 22961474 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-012-1259-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2011] [Accepted: 06/04/2012] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of the present study was to determine the changes in the mRNA levels of neurotrophins and their receptors in the striatal tissue of mice treated with 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NP). METHODS At 1 and 48 h after the last drug administration, the mRNA expression of nerve growth factor, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, neurotrophin-3 and neurotrophin-4/5 as well as their receptors p75, TrkA, TrkB and TrkC, was evaluated using semi-quantitative (semi-Q) and real-time RT-PCR. β-actin mRNA and ribosomal 18S (18S rRNA) were tested as internal controls. RESULTS 3-NP treatment did not affect mRNA expression of all neurotrophins and their respective receptors equally. Also, differences in neurotrophin and receptor mRNA expression were observed between semi-Q and real-time RT-PCR. Real-time RT-PCR was more accurate in evaluating the mRNA expression of the neurotrophins than semi-Q, and 18S rRNA was more reliable than β-actin as an internal control. CONCLUSION Neurotrophins and their receptors expression is differentially affected by neuronal damage produced by inhibition of mitochondrial respiration with 3-NP treatment in low, sub-chronic doses in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Espíndola
- Unidad de Biomedicina, FES-I, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Los Reyes Iztacala, C. P. 54090, Tlalnepantla, México
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Li C, Vilches-Flores A, Zhao M, Amiel SA, Jones PM, Persaud SJ. Expression and Function of Monoacylglycerol Lipase in Mouse ß-cells and Human Islets of Langerhans. Cell Physiol Biochem 2012; 30:347-58. [DOI: 10.1159/000339069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/24/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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Sánchez-Santos A, Vilches-Flores A, Martínez-Hernández MG, Castillo-Trápala A, Baiza-Gutman LA. The expression of urokinase-type plasminogen activator is induced in cultured mouse blastocyst by the high glucose concentration. Dev Biol 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2011.05.525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Vilches-Flores A, Delgado-Buenrostro NL, Navarrete-Vázquez G, Villalobos-Molina R. CB1 cannabinoid receptor expression is regulated by glucose and feeding in rat pancreatic islets. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010; 163:81-7. [PMID: 20451564 DOI: 10.1016/j.regpep.2010.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2009] [Revised: 04/01/2010] [Accepted: 04/28/2010] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Endocannabinoid system is involved in food intake and energy balance. Beside the hypothalamus, pancreatic islet also expresses CB1 cannabinoid receptor, however little is known about its physiological role and regulation. Since gene expression of many specific proteins of the islet depends on the concentration of glucose, we studied CB1 receptor expression in response to fasting and feeding. Whole pancreas or islets were isolated from food-deprived adult Wistar rats, with or without a previous 1.5 g/kg glucose oral-intake. CB1, insulin and glucagon expressions were analyzed by confocal immunofluorescence and PCR. In vitro, rat islets were cultured at different glucose concentrations, in the presence of anandamide, or with Rimonabant analog BAR-1. CB1, insulin, glucagon, glucokinase, and PDX-1 expression were determined by real-time RT-PCR, and insulin secretion and islet content by ELISA. CB1 expression in pancreatic islets is upregulated during food restriction, and decreases in response to glucose intake or feeding. In cultured islets, 16 mmol/l glucose, BAR-1, and anandamide at low glucose reduced CB1 mRNA. Insulin, glucagon, glucokinase and PDX-1 expression increased in islets treated with anandamide at low glucose, while BAR-1 modified PDX-1 and glucagon mRNA at high glucose. Basal insulin secretion and insulin content in islets increased with anandamide, but not the glucose-stimulated response. Our results suggest that the endocannabinoid system has an important role in gene expression on islets and its close relationship with glucose response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alonso Vilches-Flores
- Unidad de Biomedicina, FES Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. de Los Barrios 1, Los Reyes Iztacala, C.P. 54090, Tlalnepantla, Mexico
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Sanchez-Zamora Y, Terrazas LI, Vilches-Flores A, Leal E, Juárez I, Whitacre C, Kithcart A, Pruitt J, Sielecki T, Satoskar AR, Rodriguez-Sosa M. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor is a therapeutic target in treatment of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. FASEB J 2010; 24:2583-90. [PMID: 20203087 DOI: 10.1096/fj.09-147066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a proinflammatory cytokine involved in the pathogenesis of a variety of autoimmune inflammatory diseases. Here, we investigated the role of MIF in the pathogenesis of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) using MIF(-/-) mice and a mouse model of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced NIDDM. Following single injection of STZ, MIF(+/+) BALB/c mice showed a significant increase in blood glucose levels, developed polyuria, and succumbed to disease. In contrast, no such increase in blood glucose was observed in MIF(-/-) BALB/c mice treated with STZ. These mice produced significantly less inflammatory cytokines and resistin as compared with MIF(+/+) mice and failed to develop clinical disease. Finally, oral administration of a small-molecule MIF antagonist, CPSI-1306, to outbred ICR mice following induction of NIDDM significantly lowered blood glucose levels in the majority of animals, which was also associated with a significant reduction in the levels of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-alpha in the sera. Taken together, these results demonstrate that MIF is involved in the pathogenesis of NIDDM and is a therapeutic target to treat this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuriko Sanchez-Zamora
- Department of Pathology, Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
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Verdin-Terán SL, Vilches-Flores A, Moreno-Fierros L. Immunization with Cry1Ac from Bacillus thuringiensis increases intestinal IgG response and induces the expression of FcRn in the intestinal epithelium of adult mice. Scand J Immunol 2009; 70:596-607. [PMID: 19906202 PMCID: PMC7169514 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3083.2009.02332.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
We have shown that Cry1Ac protoxin from Bacillus thuringiensis is a potent mucosal and systemic immunogen with adjuvant properties. Interestingly, we have observed that Cry1Ac preferentially induces high specific IgG responses in intestinal fluid when it is intraperitoneally administered to mice; therefore, in the present study, we used this protocol, as a model to address the influence of systemic immunization on the induction of the intestinal IgG response. The data shown indicate that upon intraperitoneal immunization with Cry1Ac, significant intestinal specific IgG cell responses were produced in the lamina propria, accompanied by an increased frequency of intestinal IgG+ lymphocytes and epithelial cells containing IgG. Considering that FcRn is the receptor responsible for the transport of IgG in neonatal intestinal epithelia, but it is developmentally downregulated in the rodent intestine, we analysed whether upon intestinal IgG induction, FcRn mRNA expression was induced in intestinal epithelial cells, of adult mice. Whereas in intestinal epithelia of unimmunized adult mice FcRn mRNA was not detected, in Cry1Ac immunized mice it was expressed, although the level was lower in comparison with that found in neonatal epithelia. Then using flow cytometry and immunofluorescence we confirmed that the expression of the protein FcRn was induced in the intestines of adult immunized mice especially in the large intestine. Finally, we found that Cry1Ac also increased FcRn expression in isolated intestinal epithelial cells stimulated in vitro. The outcomes suggest that the expression of FcRn in intestinal epithelium might be reactivated upon immunization, and possibly facilitate IgG transport.
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Affiliation(s)
- S L Verdin-Terán
- Inmunidad en Mucosas, Unidad de Biomedicina, FES-Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. de los Barrios 1 Col. Los Reyes Iztacala Tlalnepantla, Edo. de México, México
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Vilches-Flores A, Tovar AR, Marin-Hernandez A, Rojas-Ochoa A, Fernandez-Mejia C. Biotin increases glucokinase expression via soluble guanylate cyclase/protein kinase G, adenosine triphosphate production and autocrine action of insulin in pancreatic rat islets. J Nutr Biochem 2009; 21:606-12. [PMID: 19560332 DOI: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2009.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2008] [Revised: 03/03/2009] [Accepted: 03/17/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Besides its role as a carboxylase prosthetic group, biotin has important effects on gene expression. However, the molecular mechanisms through which biotin exerts these effects are largely unknown. We previously found that biotin increases pancreatic glucokinase expression. We have now explored the mechanisms underlying this effect. Pancreatic islets from Wistar rats were treated with biotin, in the presence or absence of different types of inhibitors. Glucokinase mRNA and 18s rRNA abundance were determined by real-time PCR. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content was analyzed by fluorometry. Biotin treatment increased glucokinase mRNA abundance approximately one fold after 2 h; the effect was sustained up to 24 h. Inhibition of soluble guanylate cyclase or protein kinase G (PKG) signalling suppressed biotin-induced glucokinase expression. The cascade of events downstream of PKG in biotin-mediated gene transcription is not known. We found that inhibition of insulin secretion with diazoxide or nifedipine prevented biotin-stimulated glucokinase mRNA increase. Biotin treatment increased islet ATP content (control: 4.68+/-0.28; biotin treated: 6.62+/-0.26 pmol/islet) at 30 min. Inhibition of PKG activity suppressed the effects of biotin on ATP content. Insulin antibodies or inhibitors of phosphoinositol-3-kinase/Akt insulin signalling pathway prevented biotin-induced glucokinase expression. The nucleotide 8-Br-cGMP mimicked the biotin effects. We propose that the induction of pancreatic glucokinase mRNA by biotin involves guanylate cyclase and PKG activation, which leads to an increase in ATP content. This induces insulin secretion via ATP-sensitive potassium channels. Autocrine insulin, in turn, activates phosphoinositol-3-kinase/Akt signalling. Our results offer new insights into the pathways that participate in biotin-mediated gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alonso Vilches-Flores
- Unidad de Genética de la Nutrición, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México/Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, Mexico City, C.P. 04530, Mexico
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Barrera-Escorcia E, Muñóz-Torres A, Vilches-Flores A, Fregoso-Padilla M, Martínez-Aguilar J, Castillo-Padilla I, Vargas-Vera A, Méndez JD, Betancourt-Rule M, Román-Ramos R. Clinical evolution of diabetic rats after transplant of electrofused pancreatic islet cells and dermic cells. Biomed Pharmacother 2006; 59:275-82. [PMID: 16023826 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2004.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2004] [Accepted: 11/26/2004] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
This work was designed to study an alternative treatment of diabetes mellitus by using a transplant of hybrid cells obtained by the electrofusion of pancreatic islet cells from a healthy donor with dermic cells obtained from a recipient. The hybrid cells kept the capacity of insulin production, its regulation, and the natural control of glycemia, as well as the factors of histocompatibility to avoid the rejection. Four groups of four rats each were established: Group 1. Healthy animals (healthy control), Group 2. Diabetized non-treated animals (diabetic control), Group 3. Transplant recipient rats with extraction of dermic cells which were mixed with pancreatic insular cells from a healthy donor (transplant without fusion), and Group 4. Transplant recipient rats, with extraction of dermic cells which were electrofused with pancreatic insular cells from a healthy donor (transplant with fusion). For the Group 4, the cells were combined and they were submitted to dielectrophoresis conditions with an alternating current pulse of 15 s of 10 V RMS of 0.5 MHz. The fusion was made with a direct current pulse of 1 ms of 300 V. Clinical signs were registered (weight, diuresis, food and water intake), and several biochemical parameters in blood which included basal glycemia, uric acid, cholesterol, triglycerides, glutamate oxalacetate transaminase, glutamate pyruvate transaminase, urea, creatinine, insulin, glycated hemoglobin were registered. Additionally, ketone bodies and glucose were also measured in urine. All determinations were made at 30, 60, and 90 days. Animals of Group 1 maintained its parameters within the normal ranges. Rats of Group 2 presented alterations corresponding to a diabetic state in almost all the parameters measured, none of the animals showed a tendency to improve spontaneously, two of the rats died at 66 and 72 days. The Group 3 showed a clinical profile similar to the diabetic control group without improvement, only one rat died at day 33, while in the rats transplanted with fusion (Group 4) an improvement was observed on some parameters including body weight, water intake and glycemia. Although insulin concentration was under the normal range, it was higher than in the Group 3. None rat died. These results indicate that it is possible to improve the diabetic profile by the transplant of dermic cells from a diabetic animal fused with insular cells from a healthy donor in the recipient animal.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Barrera-Escorcia
- Biorregulation Laboratory, FES Iztacala UNAM Biología, Avenida de los Barrios No 1, Los Reyes Iztacala, CP 54090, Apartado Postal 314, Tlalnepantla de Baz Estado de México, Mexico.
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Vilches-Flores A, Fernández-Mejía C. [Effect of biotin upon gene expression and metabolism]. Rev Invest Clin 2005; 57:716-24. [PMID: 16419467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
During the last few decades, an increasing number of vitamin-mediated effects has been discovered at the level of gene expression in addition to their well-known roles as substrates and cofactors; the best recognized examples are the lipophilic vitamins A and D. Although little is known about water-soluble vitamins as genetic modulators, there are increasing examples of their effect on gene expression. Biotin is a hydro soluble vitamin that acts as a prosthetic group of carboxylases. Besides its role as carboxylase cofactor, biotin affects several systemic functions such as development, immunity and metabolism. In recent years, significant progress has been made in the identification of genes that are affected by biotin at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels as well as in the elucidation of mechanisms that mediate the effects of biotin on the gene expression. These studies bring new insights into biotin mediated gene expression and will lead to a better under-standing of biotin roles in the metabolism and in systemic functions.
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