Abdella M. Habib

Short-Chain Fatty Acids Stimulate Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Secretion via the G-Protein–Coupled Receptor FFAR2

Interest in how the gut microbiome can influence the metabolic state of the host has recently heightened. One postulated link is bacterial fermentation of “indigestible” prebiotics to short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which in turn modulate the release of gut hormones controlling insulin release and appetite. We show here that SCFAs trigger secretion of the incretin hormone glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1 from mixed colonic cultures in vitro. Quantitative PCR revealed enriched expression of the SCFA receptors ffar2 (grp43) and ffar3 (gpr41) in GLP-1–secreting L cells, and consistent with the reported coupling of GPR43 to Gq signaling pathways, SCFAs raised cytosolic Ca2+ in L cells in primary culture. Mice lacking ffar2 or ffar3 exhibited reduced SCFA-triggered GLP-1 secretion in vitro and in vivo and a parallel impairment of glucose tolerance. These results highlight SCFAs and their receptors as potential targets for the treatment of diabetes.

Glucose Sensing in L Cells: A Primary Cell Study

Summary Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is an enteric hormone that stimulates insulin secretion and improves glycaemia in type 2 diabetes. Although GLP-1-based treatments are clinically available, alternative strategies to increase endogenous GLP-1 release from L cells are hampered by our limited physiological understanding of this cell type. By generating transgenic mice with L cell-specific expression of a fluorescent protein, we studied the characteristics of primary L cells by electrophysiology, fluorescence calcium imaging, and expression analysis and show that single L cells are electrically excitable and glucose responsive. Sensitivity to tolbutamide and low-millimolar concentrations of glucose and α-methylglucopyranoside, assessed in single L cells and by hormone secretion from primary cultures, suggested that GLP-1 release is regulated by the activity of sodium glucose cotransporter 1 and ATP-sensitive K+ channels, consistent with their high expression levels in purified L cells by quantitative RT-PCR. These and other pathways identified using this approach will provide exciting opportunities for future physiological and therapeutic exploration.

Interleukin-6 enhances insulin secretion by increasing glucagon-like peptide-1 secretion from L cells and alpha cells

Exercise, obesity and type 2 diabetes are associated with elevated plasma concentrations of interleukin-6 (IL-6). Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is a hormone that induces insulin secretion. Here we show that administration of IL-6 or elevated IL-6 concentrations in response to exercise stimulate GLP-1 secretion from intestinal L cells and pancreatic alpha cells, improving insulin secretion and glycemia. IL-6 increased GLP-1 production from alpha cells through increased proglucagon (which is encoded by GCG) and prohormone convertase 1/3 expression. In models of type 2 diabetes, the beneficial effects of IL-6 were maintained, and IL-6 neutralization resulted in further elevation of glycemia and reduced pancreatic GLP-1. Hence, IL-6 mediates crosstalk between insulin-sensitive tissues, intestinal L cells and pancreatic islets to adapt to changes in insulin demand. This previously unidentified endocrine loop implicates IL-6 in the regulation of insulin secretion and suggests that drugs modulating this loop may be useful in type 2 diabetes.

Overlap of Endocrine Hormone Expression in the Mouse Intestine Revealed by Transcriptional Profiling and Flow Cytometry

The intestine secretes a range of hormones with important local and distant actions, including the control of insulin secretion and appetite. A number of enteroendocrine cell types have been described, each characterized by a distinct hormonal signature, such as K-cells producing glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), L-cells producing glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), and I-cells producing cholecystokinin (CCK). To evaluate similarities between L-, K-, and other enteroendocrine cells, primary murine L- and K-cells, and pancreatic α- and β-cells, were purified and analyzed by flow cytometry and microarray-based transcriptomics. By microarray expression profiling, L cells from the upper small intestinal (SI) more closely resembled upper SI K-cells than colonic L-cells. Upper SI L-cell populations expressed message for hormones classically localized to different enteroendocrine cell types, including GIP, CCK, secretin, and neurotensin. By immunostaining and fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis, most colonic L-cells contained GLP-1 and PeptideYY In the upper SI, most L-cells contained CCK, approximately 10% were GIP positive, and about 20% were PeptideYY positive. Upper SI K-cells exhibited approximately 10% overlap with GLP-1 and 6% overlap with somatostatin. Enteroendocrine-specific transcription factors were identified from the microarrays, of which very few differed between the enteroendocrine cell populations. Etv1, Prox1, and Pax4 were significantly enriched in L-cells vs. K cells by quantitative RT-PCR. In summary, our data indicate a strong overlap between upper SI L-, K-, and I-cells and suggest they may rather comprise a single cell type, within which individual cells exhibit a hormonal spectrum that may reflect factors such as location along the intestine and exposure to dietary nutrients.

Oral glutamine increases circulating glucagon-like peptide 1, glucagon, and insulin concentrations in lean, obese, and type 2 diabetic subjects

BACKGROUND Incretin hormones, such as glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), play an important role in meal-related insulin secretion. We previously demonstrated that glutamine is a potent stimulus of GLP-1 secretion in vitro. OBJECTIVE Our objective was to determine whether glutamine increases circulating GLP-1 and GIP concentrations in vivo and, if so, whether this is associated with an increase in plasma insulin. DESIGN We recruited 8 healthy normal-weight volunteers (LEAN), 8 obese individuals with type 2 diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance (OB-DIAB) and 8 obese nondiabetic control subjects (OB-CON). Oral glucose (75 g), glutamine (30 g), and water were administered on 3 separate days in random order, and plasma concentrations of GLP-1, GIP, insulin, glucagon, and glucose were measured over 120 min. RESULTS Oral glucose led to increases in circulating GLP-1 concentrations, which peaked at 30 min in LEAN (31.9 +/- 5.7 pmol/L) and OB-CON (24.3 +/- 2.1 pmol/L) subjects and at 45 min in OB-DIAB subjects (19.5 +/- 1.8 pmol/L). Circulating GLP-1 concentrations increased in all study groups after glutamine ingestion, with peak concentrations at 30 min of 22.5 +/- 3.4, 17.9 +/- 1.1, and 17.3 +/- 3.4 pmol/L in LEAN, OB-CON, and OB-DIAB subjects, respectively. Glutamine also increased plasma GIP concentrations but less effectively than glucose. Consistent with the increases in GLP-1 and GIP, glutamine significantly increased circulating plasma insulin concentrations. Glutamine stimulated glucagon secretion in all 3 study groups. CONCLUSION Glutamine effectively increases circulating GLP-1, GIP, and insulin concentrations in vivo and may represent a novel therapeutic approach to stimulating insulin secretion in obesity and type 2 diabetes.

GLP-1 Inhibits and Adrenaline Stimulates Glucagon Release by Differential Modulation of N- and L-Type Ca2+ Channel-Dependent Exocytosis

Glucagon secretion is inhibited by glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and stimulated by adrenaline. These opposing effects on glucagon secretion are mimicked by low (1-10 nM) and high (10 muM) concentrations of forskolin, respectively. The expression of GLP-1 receptors in alpha cells is <0.2% of that in beta cells. The GLP-1-induced suppression of glucagon secretion is PKA dependent, is glucose independent, and does not involve paracrine effects mediated by insulin or somatostatin. GLP-1 is without much effect on alpha cell electrical activity but selectively inhibits N-type Ca(2+) channels and exocytosis. Adrenaline stimulates alpha cell electrical activity, increases [Ca(2+)](i), enhances L-type Ca(2+) channel activity, and accelerates exocytosis. The stimulatory effect is partially PKA independent and reduced in Epac2-deficient islets. We propose that GLP-1 inhibits glucagon secretion by PKA-dependent inhibition of the N-type Ca(2+) channels via a small increase in intracellular cAMP ([cAMP](i)). Adrenaline stimulates L-type Ca(2+) channel-dependent exocytosis by activation of the low-affinity cAMP sensor Epac2 via a large increase in [cAMP](i).

Glutamine Triggers and Potentiates Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Secretion by Raising Cytosolic Ca2+ and cAMP

The effects of chemical (DPP-4) inhibition and genetic reduction of DPP-4 activity on bone quality were studied in wild-type and ovariectomized mice.

Insulin-like peptide 5 is an orexigenic gastrointestinal hormone

Significance Hormonal factors from specialized enteroendocrine cells in the gut epithelium link the availability of dietary nutrients to energy utilization and storage. Many gut hormones also affect behaviors such as appetite and foraging, conveying for example the satiating effects of food consumption. Here we identify insulin-like peptide 5 (Insl5) as a product of colonic endocrine L-cells, and show that levels were elevated in calorie-restricted mice and reduced after feeding. Consistent with this profile Insl5 administration stimulated food intake in mice, indicating it should join ghrelin as only the second identified gut hormone that enhances appetite. Modulating the Insl5 axis presents a new strategy for the treatment of metabolic disease and obesity. The gut endocrine system is emerging as a central player in the control of appetite and glucose homeostasis, and as a rich source of peptides with therapeutic potential in the field of diabetes and obesity. In this study we have explored the physiology of insulin-like peptide 5 (Insl5), which we identified as a product of colonic enteroendocrine L-cells, better known for their secretion of glucagon-like peptide-1 and peptideYY. i.p. Insl5 increased food intake in wild-type mice but not mice lacking the cognate receptor Rxfp4. Plasma Insl5 levels were elevated by fasting or prolonged calorie restriction, and declined with feeding. We conclude that Insl5 is an orexigenic hormone released from colonic L-cells, which promotes appetite during conditions of energy deprivation.

Electrical activity-triggered glucagon-like peptide-1 secretion from primary murine L-cells.

Non‐technical summary  Glucagon like peptide 1 (GLP‐1) based therapies are now widely used for the treatment of diabetes. The physiological source of the hormone is the intestinal L‐cell, and attempts to boost secretion have been hindered by difficulties in distinguishing these cells from their epithelial neighbours and our consequent limited understanding of their physiology. Using recently developed transgenic mice with fluorescently labelled L‐cells, we show that these cells are electrically active and use voltage‐gated ion channels to couple the presence of nutrients to the secretion of GLP‐1. We present the identification and characterisation of the ion channels. This improves our understanding of enteroendocrine physiology and will support therapeutic programmes aiming to target gut hormone secretion.

Characterization and functional role of voltage gated cation conductances in the glucagon‐like peptide‐1 secreting GLUTag cell line

Glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) is released from intestinal L‐cells in response to nutrient ingestion. It is currently under therapeutic evaluation because it enhances insulin secretion in type 2 diabetes. Previous studies using the GLP‐1 secreting cell line GLUTag have shown that the cells are electrically active, and that the action potential frequency is regulated by nutrients. In this study we characterize voltage gated currents underlying this electrical activity and correlate the electrophysiological findings with gene expression determined by microarrays. Whole cell voltage clamp experiments designed to separate different ionic components revealed rapidly inactivating sodium currents sensitive to tetrodotoxin, calcium currents sensitive to nifedipine and ω‐conotoxin GVIA, and sustained as well as rapidly inactivating potassium currents, which were sensitive to TEA and 4‐AP, respectively. In perforated patch experiments we also observed hyperpolarization‐activated currents which were inhibited by ZD7288. The amplitude of the sodium current was ∼10 times that of the other depolarizing currents and tetrodotoxin abolished action potential firing. In secretion experiments, however, nifedipine, but not tetrodotoxin, ω‐conotoxin GVIA or ZD7288, inhibited glucose‐induced GLP‐1 release. Consistent with this finding, the intracellular Ca2+ response to glucose was impaired by nifedipine but not by tetrodotoxin. Thus, in GLUTag cells, GLP‐1 release is not dependent on the firing of Na+‐carrying action potentials but requires membrane depolarization and Ca2+ entry through L‐type Ca2+ channels. Understanding the characteristics of the currents and the molecular identification of the underlying channels in GLP‐1 secreting cells might facilitate the development of agents to enhance GLP‐1 secretion in vivo.