GLP-1 metabolite GLP-1(9-36) is a systemic inhibitor of mouse and human pancreatic islet glucagon secretion

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

Diabetes mellitus is associated with impaired insulin secretion, often aggravated by oversecretion of glucagon. Therapeutic interventions should ideally correct both defects. Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) has this capability but exactly how it exerts its glucagonostatic effect remains obscure. Following its release GLP-1 is rapidly degraded from GLP-1(7-36) to GLP-1(9-36). We hypothesised that the metabolite GLP-1(9-36) (previously believed to be biologically inactive) exerts a direct inhibitory effect on glucagon secretion and that this mechanism becomes impaired in diabetes.

METHODS

We used a combination of glucagon secretion measurements in mouse and human islets (including islets from donors with type 2 diabetes), total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy imaging of secretory granule dynamics, recordings of cytoplasmic Ca2+ and measurements of protein kinase A activity, immunocytochemistry, in vivo physiology and GTP-binding protein dissociation studies to explore how GLP-1 exerts its inhibitory effect on glucagon secretion and the role of the metabolite GLP-1(9-36).

RESULTS

GLP-1(7-36) inhibited glucagon secretion in isolated islets with an IC50 of 2.5 pmol/l. The effect was particularly strong at low glucose concentrations. The degradation product GLP-1(9-36) shared this capacity. GLP-1(9-36) retained its glucagonostatic effects after genetic/pharmacological inactivation of the GLP-1 receptor. GLP-1(9-36) also potently inhibited glucagon secretion evoked by β-adrenergic stimulation, amino acids and membrane depolarisation. In islet alpha cells, GLP-1(9-36) led to inhibition of Ca2+ entry via voltage-gated Ca2+ channels sensitive to ω-agatoxin, with consequential pertussis-toxin-sensitive depletion of the docked pool of secretory granules, effects that were prevented by the glucagon receptor antagonists REMD2.59 and L-168049. The capacity of GLP-1(9-36) to inhibit glucagon secretion and reduce the number of docked granules was lost in alpha cells from human donors with type 2 diabetes. In vivo, high exogenous concentrations of GLP-1(9-36) (>100 pmol/l) resulted in a small (30%) lowering of circulating glucagon during insulin-induced hypoglycaemia. This effect was abolished by REMD2.59, which promptly increased circulating glucagon by >225% (adjusted for the change in plasma glucose) without affecting pancreatic glucagon content.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

We conclude that the GLP-1 metabolite GLP-1(9-36) is a systemic inhibitor of glucagon secretion. We propose that the increase in circulating glucagon observed following genetic/pharmacological inactivation of glucagon signalling in mice and in people with type 2 diabetes reflects the removal of GLP-1(9-36)'s glucagonostatic action.

GLP-1 suppresses glucagon secretion in human pancreatic alpha-cells by inhibition of P/Q-type Ca2+ channels

Glucagon is the body's main hyperglycemic hormone, and its secretion is dysregulated in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The incretin hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is released from the gut and is used in T2DM therapy. Uniquely, it both stimulates insulin and inhibits glucagon secretion and thereby lowers plasma glucose levels. In this study, we have investigated the action of GLP-1 on glucagon release from human pancreatic islets. Immunocytochemistry revealed that only <0.5% of the α-cells possess detectable GLP-1R immunoreactivity. Despite this, GLP-1 inhibited glucagon secretion by 50-70%. This was due to a direct effect on α-cells, rather than paracrine signaling, because the inhibition was not reversed by the insulin receptor antagonist S961 or the somatostatin receptor-2 antagonist CYN154806. The inhibitory effect of GLP-1 on glucagon secretion was prevented by the PKA-inhibitor Rp-cAMPS and mimicked by the adenylate cyclase activator forskolin. Electrophysiological measurements revealed that GLP-1 decreased action potential height and depolarized interspike membrane potential. Mathematical modeling suggests both effects could result from inhibition of P/Q-type Ca2+ channels. In agreement with this, GLP-1 and ω-agatoxin (a blocker of P/Q-type channels) inhibited glucagon secretion in islets depolarized by 70 mmol/L [K+ ]o , and these effects were not additive. Intracellular application of cAMP inhibited depolarization-evoked exocytosis in individual α-cells by a PKA-dependent (Rp-cAMPS-sensitive) mechanism. We propose that inhibition of glucagon secretion by GLP-1 involves activation of the few GLP-1 receptors present in the α-cell membrane. The resulting small elevation of cAMP leads to PKA-dependent inhibition of P/Q-type Ca2+ channels and suppression of glucagon exocytosis.

A role of PLC/PKC-dependent pathway in GLP-1-stimulated insulin secretion

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is an endogenous glucose-lowering hormone and GLP-1 receptor agonists are currently being used as antidiabetic drugs clinically. The canonical signalling pathway (including cAMP, Epac2, protein kinase A (PKA) and K_ATP channels) is almost universally accepted as the main mechanism of GLP-1-stimulated insulin secretion. This belief is based on in vitro studies that used nanomolar (1-100 nM) concentrations of GLP-1. Recently, it was found that the physiological concentrations (1-10 pM) of GLP-1 also stimulate insulin secretion from isolated islets, induce membrane depolarization and increase of intracellular [Ca²⁺] in isolated β cells/pancreatic islets. These responses were unaffected by PKA inhibitors and occurred without detectable increases in intracellular cAMP and PKA activity. These PKA-independent actions of GLP-1 depend on protein kinase C (PKC), involve activation of the standard GLP-1 receptor (GLP1R) and culminate in activation of phospholipase C (PLC), leading to an elevation of diacylglycerol (DAG), increased L-type Ca²⁺ and TRPM4/TRPM5 channel activities. Here, we review these recent data and contrast them against the effects of nanomolar concentrations of GLP-1. The differential intracellular signalling activated by low and high concentrations of GLP-1 could provide a clue to explain how GLP-1 exerts different function in the central nervous system and peripheral organs.

GLP-1 stimulates insulin secretion by PKC-dependent TRPM4 and TRPM5 activation

Strategies aimed at mimicking or enhancing the action of the incretin hormone glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) therapeutically improve glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS); however, it is not clear whether GLP-1 directly drives insulin secretion in pancreatic islets. Here, we examined the mechanisms by which GLP-1 stimulates insulin secretion in mouse and human islets. We found that GLP-1 enhances GSIS at a half-maximal effective concentration of 0.4 pM. Moreover, we determined that GLP-1 activates PLC, which increases submembrane diacylglycerol and thereby activates PKC, resulting in membrane depolarization and increased action potential firing and subsequent stimulation of insulin secretion. The depolarizing effect of GLP-1 on electrical activity was mimicked by the PKC activator PMA, occurred without activation of PKA, and persisted in the presence of PKA inhibitors, the KATP channel blocker tolbutamide, and the L-type Ca(2+) channel blocker isradipine; however, depolarization was abolished by lowering extracellular Na(+). The PKC-dependent effect of GLP-1 on membrane potential and electrical activity was mediated by activation of Na(+)-permeable TRPM4 and TRPM5 channels by mobilization of intracellular Ca(2+) from thapsigargin-sensitive Ca(2+) stores. Concordantly, GLP-1 effects were negligible in Trpm4 or Trpm5 KO islets. These data provide important insight into the therapeutic action of GLP-1 and suggest that circulating levels of this hormone directly stimulate insulin secretion by β cells.

Reduced insulin exocytosis in human pancreatic β-cells with gene variants linked to type 2 diabetes

The majority of genetic risk variants for type 2 diabetes (T2D) affect insulin secretion, but the mechanisms through which they influence pancreatic islet function remain largely unknown. We functionally characterized human islets to determine secretory, biophysical, and ultrastructural features in relation to genetic risk profiles in diabetic and nondiabetic donors. Islets from donors with T2D exhibited impaired insulin secretion, which was more pronounced in lean than obese diabetic donors. We assessed the impact of 14 disease susceptibility variants on measures of glucose sensing, exocytosis, and structure. Variants near TCF7L2 and ADRA2A were associated with reduced glucose-induced insulin secretion, whereas susceptibility variants near ADRA2A, KCNJ11, KCNQ1, and TCF7L2 were associated with reduced depolarization-evoked insulin exocytosis. KCNQ1, ADRA2A, KCNJ11, HHEX/IDE, and SLC2A2 variants affected granule docking. We combined our results to create a novel genetic risk score for β-cell dysfunction that includes aberrant granule docking, decreased Ca(2+) sensitivity of exocytosis, and reduced insulin release. Individuals with a high risk score displayed an impaired response to intravenous glucose and deteriorating insulin secretion over time. Our results underscore the importance of defects in β-cell exocytosis in T2D and demonstrate the potential of cellular phenotypic characterization in the elucidation of complex genetic disorders.

Membrane potential-dependent inactivation of voltage-gated ion channels in alpha-cells inhibits glucagon secretion from human islets

OBJECTIVE

To document the properties of the voltage-gated ion channels in human pancreatic alpha-cells and their role in glucagon release.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Glucagon release was measured from intact islets. [Ca(2+)](i) was recorded in cells showing spontaneous activity at 1 mmol/l glucose. Membrane currents and potential were measured by whole-cell patch-clamping in isolated alpha-cells identified by immunocytochemistry.

RESULT

Glucose inhibited glucagon secretion from human islets; maximal inhibition was observed at 6 mmol/l glucose. Glucagon secretion at 1 mmol/l glucose was inhibited by insulin but not by ZnCl(2). Glucose remained inhibitory in the presence of ZnCl(2) and after blockade of type-2 somatostatin receptors. Human alpha-cells are electrically active at 1 mmol/l glucose. Inhibition of K(ATP)-channels with tolbutamide depolarized alpha-cells by 10 mV and reduced the action potential amplitude. Human alpha-cells contain heteropodatoxin-sensitive A-type K(+)-channels, stromatoxin-sensitive delayed rectifying K(+)-channels, tetrodotoxin-sensitive Na(+)-currents, and low-threshold T-type, isradipine-sensitive L-type, and omega-agatoxin-sensitive P/Q-type Ca(2+)-channels. Glucagon secretion at 1 mmol/l glucose was inhibited by 40-70% by tetrodotoxin, heteropodatoxin-2, stromatoxin, omega-agatoxin, and isradipine. The [Ca(2+)](i) oscillations depend principally on Ca(2+)-influx via L-type Ca(2+)-channels. Capacitance measurements revealed a rapid (<50 ms) component of exocytosis. Exocytosis was negligible at voltages below -20 mV and peaked at 0 mV. Blocking P/Q-type Ca(2+)-currents abolished depolarization-evoked exocytosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Human alpha-cells are electrically excitable, and blockade of any ion channel involved in action potential depolarization or repolarization results in inhibition of glucagon secretion. We propose that voltage-dependent inactivation of these channels underlies the inhibition of glucagon secretion by tolbutamide and glucose.

Gallbladder edema in type 1 diabetic patient due to delayed-type insulin allergy

A 29-year-old woman was diagnosed as having type 1 diabetes mellitus and received insulin aspart and NPH insulin (NovolinN). On day 22, she had leg edema and right abdominal pain. The serum hepatobiliary enzyme levels were markedly elevated. Computed tomography revealed gallbladder edema. After an injection of human regular insulin and NPH insulin (HumacartN), the elevated liver enzyme levels were no longer observed. Challenge testing demonstrated that protamine was the cause of her allergy. Furthermore, tests revealed increased VEGF levels. This is an extremely rare case with a delayed-type protamine allergy caused by NovolinN resulting in gallbladder edema.

Low, but physiological, concentration of GLP-1 stimulates insulin secretion independent of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase pathway

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) induces pancreatic insulin secretion via the cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) pathway. However, the GLP-1 concentration used in the previous in vitro experiments was far from the in vivo concentrations. Alteration of plasma GLP-1 concentration at pM order lowers blood glucose concentration. In this study, we examined the GLP-1 action mechanism at a physiological concentration on insulin secretion. A high concentration of GLP-1 (10 nM) stimulated intracellular cAMP accumulation and insulin secretion was significantly inhibited by KT5720, a selective inhibitor of PKA. Low GLP-1 concentrations (1 pM) also increased insulin secretion without significant accumulation of intracellular cAMP, and KT5720 did not affect insulin secretion. Insulin secretion stimulated by 1 pM GLP-1 was reduced by inhibitors of calcium action, including verapamil, dantrolene, and BAPTA. Thus, we concluded that relatively low GLP-1 concentrations-comparable to in vivo blood concentrations-promoted insulin secretion independent of the cAMP-PKA pathway. This effect was dependent on intracellular Ca2+ concentration. The results of the present study may further the understanding of the dose-dependent response of GLP-1 signal transducing pathways and the complicated mechanism of insulin secretion. Studies of GLP-1 at physiologic concentrations may lead to new developments in studies of pancreatic beta-cell function.

Nateglinide and Mitiglinide, but Not Sulfonylureas, Induce Insulin Secretion through a Mechanism Mediated by Calcium Release from Endoplasmic Reticulum

Nateglinide and mitiglinide (glinides) are characterized as rapid-onset and short-acting insulinotropic agents. Although both compounds do not have a sulfonylurea structure, it has been postulated that insulin secretion is preceded by their binding to Kir6.2/SUR1 complex, and a mechanism of insulin secretion of glinides has been accounted for by this pathway. However, we hypothesized the involvement of additional mechanisms of insulin secretion enhanced by glinides, and we analyzed the pattern of time course of insulin secretion from MIN6 cells with the existence of agents that have specific pharmacologic actions. Dose-dependent effects of tolbutamide, glibenclamide, nateglinide, and mitiglinide were observed. Insulin secretion induced by 3 microM tolbutamide and 1 nM glibenclamide was completely inhibited by 10 microM diazoxide and 3 microM verapamil, although the latter half-component of insulin secretion profile induced by 3 microM nateglinide or 30 nM mitiglinide remained with the existence of those agents. Glinides enhanced insulin secretion even in Ca2+-depleted medium, and its pattern of secretion was same as the pattern with existence of verapamil. The latter half was suppressed by 1 microM dantrolene, and concomitant addition of verapamil and dantrolene completely suppressed the entire pattern of insulin secretion enhanced by nateglinide. Thus, we conclude that glinide action is demonstrated through two pathways, dependently and independently, from the pathway through K(ATP) channels. We also demonstrated that the latter pathway involves the intracellular calcium release from endoplasmic reticulum via ryanodine receptor activation.

First phase of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion from MIN 6 cells does not always require extracellular calcium influx

To demonstrate an involvement of ATP-sensitive potassium (K(ATP)) channel-independent pathways in the first phase of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) from pancreatic beta cells, the time course of GSIS from MIN6 cells was analyzed at 30-s sample intervals. GSIS was biphasic with the first phase being observed 120 to 390 s after glucose addition, peaking at 180 s, and with a shoulder at 240 to 330 s. Both 10 microM diazoxide and 3 microM verapamil completely inhibited tolbutamide- or glibenclamide-induced insulin secretion and suppressed the peak of the first phase of GSIS, but did not result in complete suppression. The shoulder following the peak was suppressed by 1 muM dantrolene. The peak, but not shoulder, disappeared under the extracellular Ca2+-free condition. A significant amount of insulin secretion remained even in the combined presence of verapamil and dantrolene. The Na+ channel blocker tetrodotoxin (30 nM) nearly completely inhibited the first phase release. These results suggest that the first phase of GSIS from MIN6 cells depends on both Ca2+-dependent and -independent mechanisms. The former mechanism includes the extracellular Ca2+ influx via L-type voltage-dependent calcium channel and intracellular Ca2+ release from endoplasmic reticulum via ryanodine receptors, and the latter mechanism involves the pathways associated with Na+ channels.

Effect of apolipoprotein E4 allele on plasma LDL cholesterol response to diet therapy in type 2 diabetic patients

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of apolipoprotein (apo)E4 allele on plasma LDL cholesterol response to calorie-restricted diet therapy in type 2 diabetic patients.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Twenty-four diabetic patients with the apoE3/3 genotype and 11 diabetic patients with the apoE4/3 genotype were recruited. Participants were hospitalized for calorie-restricted diet therapy (25.0 kcal. kg body wt(-1). day(-1)) for 14 days. Body weight, fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels, and plasma lipid levels on hospital days 1 and 14 were compared between the two apoE genotype groups.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in baseline FPG levels, HbA(1c) levels, BMI, and plasma levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride, and HDL cholesterol between the two apoE genotype groups, but baseline plasma levels of LDL cholesterol were significantly higher in the apoE4/3 group than in the apoE3/3 group. Body weight decreased slightly and FPG levels decreased significantly after diet therapy in both apoE genotype groups. In the apoE3/3 group, only plasma levels of triglyceride decreased significantly after diet therapy, whereas in the apoE4/3 group, plasma levels of triglyceride, total cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol decreased significantly after diet therapy. The decrease (percentage of change) in total cholesterol (-16.3 vs. -6.6%) and LDL cholesterol (-15.6 vs. -0.7%) after diet therapy was significantly greater in the apoE4/3 group than in the apoE3/3 group.

CONCLUSIONS

Calorie-restricted diet therapy is more effective in reducing plasma LDL cholesterol in type 2 diabetic patients with the apoE4 allele.

Functional significance of nitric oxide in ionomycin-evoked [3H]GABA release from mouse cerebral cortical neurons

We investigated a role of nitric oxide (NO) on ionomycin-evoked [3H]GABA release using mouse cerebral cortical neurons. lonomycin dose-dependently released [3H]GABA up to 1 microM. The extent of the release by 0.1 microM ionomycin was in a range similar to that by 30 mM KCl. The ionomycin (0.1 microM)-evoked [3H]GABA release was dose-dependently inhibited by NO synthase inhibitors and hemoglobin, indicating that the ionomycin-evoked [3H]GABA release is mediated through NO formation. The inhibition of cGMP formation by 1H-[1,2,4] oxodizao [4,3-a] quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ), a selective inhibitor for NO-sensitive guanylate cyclase, showed no affects on the ionomycin-evoked [3H]GABA release. Tetrodotoxin and dibucaine significantly suppressed the ionomycin-evoked [3H]GABA release and ionomycin increased fluorescence intensity of bis-oxonol, suggesting the involvement of membrane depolarization in this release. The ionomycin-evoked [3H]GABA release was maximally reduced by about 50% by GABA uptake inhibitors. The concomitant presence of nifedipine and omega-agatoxin VIA (omega-ATX), inhibitors for L- and P/Q-type voltage-dependent calcium channels, respectively, caused the reduction in the ionomycin-evoked release by about 50%. The simultaneous addition of nifedipine, omega-ATX and nipecotic acid completely abolished the release. Although ionomycin released glutamate, (+)-5-methyl-1-,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo-[a,d]cycloheptan-5,10-imine (MK-801) and 6,7-dinitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (DNQX) showed no effects on the ionomycin-induced [3H]GABA release. Based on these results, it is concluded that NO formed by ionomycin plays a critical role in ionomycin-evoked [3H]GABA release from the neurons.

A case of 11q-syndrome associated with abnormalities of the retinal vessels

A case of 11q- syndrome associated with abnormalities of the retinal vessels similar to those of familial exudative vitreoretinopathy was followed from 6 months to 3 years of age. The patient was a female infant born at 39 weeks of gestation and weighing 2,360 g without oxygen therapy. A chromosomal analysis showed a 46,XX,del(11)(q23.3). An ocular examination revealed exotropia and a positive kappa angle of the left eye with psychomotor retardation. An abnormal pattern of the retinal vessels and an avascular retina was observed in the periphery of both eyes. Therefore we concluded that the abnormalities of the retinal vessels may be related to the deletion of the long arm of chromosome 11.

[Metabolism in vivo of 2, 4, 6, 2', 4', 6'-hexachlorobiphenyl in dog and partial characterization of cytochrome P-450 isozyme responsible for biotransformation of the congener]

We reported previously that the dog is a unique species which can metabolize 2, 4, 5, 2', 4', 5'-hexachlorobiphenyl (HCB) by unusual mechanism via 2,3-arene oxide intermediate formation. 2, 4, 5, 2', 4', 5'-HCB is known as one of the PCB congeners showing the highest concentration in the blood of Yusho patients at present. Therefore, further investigation on the mechanism of biotransformation of PCB in the dog is very useful to obtain informations about metabolic fates of persistent congeners in the bodies of Yusho patients. In the present study, we examined in vivo metabolic pathways of 2, 4, 6, 2', 4', 6'-HCB in a dog, and also a role of cytochrome P-450 isozymes in its metabolism. In these experiments, three major metabolites were found in feces of the dog. These were identified to be 3-hydroxy-2, 4, 6, 2', 4', 6'-HCB (M-1), 4-hydroxy-2, 6, 2', 4', 6'-pentachlorobiphenyl (M-2) and 3, 4-dihydroxy-2, 6, 2', 4', 6'-PenCB (M-3), which were previously identified as the major metabolites in vitro. 4-Hydroxy-2, 3, 6, 2', 4', 6'-HCB has also been isolated as a metabolite in vitro, but not detected in this in vivo study. In conclusion, the present in vivo study supported the previous in vitro results that the dog metabolizes this congener at least two mechanisms including direct hydroxylation and arene oxide formation. It was also indicated that cytochrome P-450 isozymes responsible for metabolism of this congener may be in part different from those catalyzing the 2, 4, 5, 2', 4', 5'-HCB metabolism.

Familial pericentric inversion of chromosome 11 in a child with sporadic unilateral retinoblastoma

The authors treated a 12-month-old Japanese boy with sporadic unilateral retinoblastoma and hereditary chromosomal inversion inv(11)(p11q23). This chromosomal inversion was also present in the father of the boy. Cytogenetic analyses of the mother and sister were normal. Retinoblastoma is associated with constitutional deletion of the long arm of chromosome 13. The breakpoint in the chromosome 11q23 region is involved in several malignant hematological diseases, and may be important in malignant transformation. Therefore, a large number of such patients with pericentric inversion of chromosome 11 has to be identified before significance of this chromosomal abnormality can be determined.