Cuilan Nian

Activation of Lipoprotein Lipase by Glucose-dependent Insulinotropic Polypeptide in Adipocytes A ROLE FOR A PROTEIN KINASE B, LKB1, AND AMP-ACTIVATED PROTEIN KINASE CASCADE

Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) has been mainly studied because of its glucose-dependent insulinotropic action and its ability to regulate β-cell proliferation and survival. Considerably less is known about the effects of GIP on fat metabolism, and the present study was directed at identifying the mechanisms underlying its stimulatory action on lipoprotein lipase (LPL). In differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes, GIP, in the presence of insulin, increased LPL activity and triglyceride accumulation through a pathway involving increased phosphorylation of protein kinase B (PKB) and reductions in phosphorylated LKB1 and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Knockdown of AMPK using RNA interference and application of the AMPK inhibitor, Compound C, supported this conclusion. In contrast, the other major incretin hormone, glucagon-like peptide-1, exhibited no significant effects on LPL activity or PKB, LKB1, or AMPK phosphorylation. Cultured subcutaneous human adipocytes showed similar responses to GIP but with greater sensitivity. Chronic elevation of circulating GIP levels in the Vancouver diabetic fatty Zucker rat in vivo resulted in increased LPL activity and elevated triglyceride accumulation in epidydimal fat tissue, combined with a modulation of PKB, LKB1, and AMPK phosphorylation similar to that observed in vitro. This appears to be the first demonstration of a GIP-stimulated signal transduction pathway involved in increasing fat storage in adipocytes.

Glucose-Dependent Insulinotropic Polypeptide-Mediated Up-Regulation of β-Cell Antiapoptotic Bcl-2 Gene Expression Is Coordinated by Cyclic AMP (cAMP) Response Element Binding Protein (CREB) and cAMP-Responsive CREB Coactivator 2

ABSTRACT The cyclic AMP (cAMP)/protein kinase A (PKA) cascade plays a central role in β-cell proliferation and apoptosis. Here, we show that the incretin hormone glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) stimulates expression of the antiapoptotic Bcl-2 gene in pancreatic β cells through a pathway involving AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), cAMP-responsive CREB coactivator 2 (TORC2), and cAMP response element binding protein (CREB). Stimulation of β-INS-1 (clone 832/13) cells with GIP resulted in increased Bcl-2 promoter activity. Analysis of the rat Bcl-2 promoter revealed two potential cAMP response elements, one of which (CRE-I [GTGACGTAC]) was shown, using mutagenesis and deletion analysis, to be functional. Subsequent studies established that GIP increased the nuclear localization of TORC2 and phosphorylation of CREB serine 133 through a pathway involving PKA activation and reduced AMPK phosphorylation. At the nuclear level, phospho-CREB and TORC2 were demonstrated to bind to CRE-I of the Bcl-2 promoter, and GIP treatment resulted in increases in their interaction. Furthermore, GIP-mediated cytoprotection was partially reversed by small interfering RNA-mediated reduction in BCL-2 or TORC2/CREB or by pharmacological activation of AMPK. The antiapoptotic effect of GIP in β cells is therefore partially mediated through a novel mode of transcriptional regulation of Bcl-2 involving cAMP/PKA/AMPK-dependent regulation of CREB/TORC2 activity.

Resistin Is a Key Mediator of Glucose-dependent Insulinotropic Polypeptide (GIP) Stimulation of Lipoprotein Lipase (LPL) Activity in Adipocytes

Studies on the physiological roles of the incretin hormone, glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) have largely focused on its insulinotropic action and ability to regulate β-cell mass. In previous studies on the stimulatory effect of GIP on adipocyte lipoprotein lipase (LPL), a pathway was identified involving increased phosphorylation of protein kinase B (PKB) and reduced phosphorylation of LKB1 and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). The slow time of onset of the responses suggested that GIP may have induced release of an intermediary molecule, and the current studies focused on the possible contribution of the adipokine resistin. In differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes, GIP, in the presence of insulin, increased resistin secretion through a pathway involving p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) and the stress-activated protein kinase/Jun amino-terminal kinase (SAPK/JNK). The other major incretin hormone, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), exhibited no significant effects. Chronic elevation of circulating GIP levels in the Vancouver Diabetic Fatty (VDF) Zucker rat resulted in increases in circulating resistin levels and activation of p38 MAPK or SAPK/JNK in epididymal fat tissue, suggesting the existence of identical pathways in vivo as well as in vitro. Administration of resistin to 3T3-L1 adipocytes mimicked the effects of GIP on the PKB/LKB1/AMPK/LPL pathway: increasing phosphorylation of PKB, reducing levels of phosphorylated LKB1 and AMPK, and increasing LPL activity. Knockdown of resistin using RNA interference attenuated the effect of GIP on the PKB/LKB1/AMPK/LPL pathway in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, supporting a role for resistin as a mediator.

Dipeptidyl Peptidase IV Inhibition With MK0431 Improves Islet Graft Survival in Diabetic NOD Mice Partially via T-Cell Modulation

OBJECTIVE—The endopeptidase dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV) has been shown to NH2-terminally truncate incretin hormones, glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide, and glucagon-like peptide-1, thus ablating their ability to potentiate glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. Increasing the circulating levels of incretins through administration of DPP-IV inhibitors has therefore been introduced as a therapeutic approach for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. DPP-IV inhibitor treatment has also been shown to preserve islet mass in rodent models of type 1 diabetes. The current study was initiated to define the effects of the DPP-IV inhibitor sitagliptin (MK0431) on transplanted islet survival in nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice, an autoimmune type 1 diabetes model. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—Effects of MK0431 on islet graft survival in diabetic NOD mice were determined with metabolic studies and micropositron emission tomography imaging, and its underlying molecular mechanisms were assessed. RESULTS—Treatment of NOD mice with MK0431 before and after islet transplantation resulted in prolongation of islet graft survival, whereas treatment after transplantation alone resulted in small beneficial effects compared with nontreated controls. Subsequent studies demonstrated that MK0431 pretreatment resulted in decreased insulitis in diabetic NOD mice and reduced in vitro migration of isolated splenic CD4+ T-cells. Furthermore, in vitro treatment of splenic CD4+ T-cells with DPP-IV resulted in increased migration and activation of protein kinase A (PKA) and Rac1. CONCLUSIONS—Treatment with MK0431 therefore reduced the effect of autoimmunity on graft survival partially by decreasing the homing of CD4+ T-cells into pancreatic β-cells through a pathway involving cAMP/PKA/Rac1 activation.

Quantitative micro positron emission tomography (PET) imaging for the in vivo determination of pancreatic islet graft survival

Islet transplantation is an attractive approach for treating type-1 diabetes, but there is a massive loss of transplanted islets. It is currently only possible to estimate islet mass indirectly, through measurement of circulating C-peptide and insulin levels. This type of estimation, however, is not sufficiently sensitive or reproducible for follow-up of individuals who have undergone islet transplantation. Here we show that islet graft survival could be assessed for 1 month in diabetic NOD mice using 9-(4-[18F]-fluoro-3-hydroxymethylbutyl)guanine ([18F]FHBG)–positron emission tomography (PET) technology, the PET signal reflecting insulin secretory capacity of transplanted islets. Expression of the gene encoding viral interleukin-10 (vIL-10), was measurable in real time with PET scanning. Additionally, we addressed the clinical potential of this approach by visualizing transplanted islets in the liver, the preferred clinical transplantation site. We conclude that quantitative in vivo PET imaging is a valid method for facilitating the development of protocols for prolonging islet survival, with the potential for tracking human transplants.

Inhibition of Dipeptidyl Peptidase IV With Sitagliptin (MK0431) Prolongs Islet Graft Survival in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Mice

OBJECTIVE—Dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV) inhibitors have been introduced as therapeutics for type 2 diabetes. They partially act by blocking degradation of the incretin hormones glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), thus increasing circulating levels of active hormones. In addition to their insulinotropic actions, GLP-1 and GIP also promote β-cell proliferation and survival, and DPP-IV inhibitors exert similar effects in rodent type 2 diabetes models. The study objective was to establish whether DPP-IV inhibitor treatment prolonged survival of transplanted islets and to determine whether positron emission tomography (PET) was appropriate for quantifying the effect of inhibition on islet mass. RESEARCH DESIGN & METHODS—Effects of the DPP-IV inhibitor MK0431 (sitagliptin) on glycemic control and functional islet mass in a streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type 1 diabetes mouse model were determined with metabolic studies and microPET imaging. RESULTS—The type 1 diabetes mouse model exhibited elevated plasma DPP-IV levels that were substantially inhibited in mice on an MK0431 diet. Residual β-cell mass was extremely low in STZ-induced diabetic mice, and although active GLP-1 levels were increased by the MK0431 diet, there were no significant effects on glycemic control. After islet transplantation, mice fed normal diet rapidly lost their ability to regulate blood glucose, reflecting the suboptimal islet transplant. By contrast, the MK0431 group fully regulated blood glucose throughout the study, and PET imaging demonstrated a profound protective effect of MK0431 on islet graft size. CONCLUSIONS—Treatment with a DPP-IV inhibitor can prolong islet graft retention in an animal model of type 1 diabetes.

A GIP Receptor Agonist Exhibits β-Cell Anti-Apoptotic Actions in Rat Models of Diabetes Resulting in Improved β-Cell Function and Glycemic Control

Aims The gastrointestinal hormone GIP promotes pancreatic islet function and exerts pro-survival actions on cultured β-cells. However, GIP also promotes lipogenesis, thus potentially restricting its therapeutic use. The current studies evaluated the effects of a truncated GIP analog, D-Ala2-GIP1–30 (D-GIP1–30), on glucose homeostasis and β-cell mass in rat models of diabetes. Materials and Methods The insulinotropic and pro-survival potency of D-GIP1–30 was evaluated in perfused pancreas preparations and cultured INS-1 β-cells, respectively, and receptor selectivity evaluated using wild type and GIP receptor knockout mice. Effects of D-GIP1–30 on β-cell function and glucose homeostasis, in vivo, were determined using Lean Zucker rats, obese Vancouver diabetic fatty rats, streptozotocin treated rats, and obese Zucker diabetic fatty rats, with effects on β-cell mass determined in histological studies of pancreatic tissue. Lipogenic effects of D-GIP1–30 were evaluated on cultured 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Results Acutely, D-GIP1–30 improved glucose tolerance and insulin secretion. Chronic treatment with D-GIP1–30 reduced levels of islet pro-apoptotic proteins in Vancouver diabetic fatty rats and preserved β-cell mass in streptozotocin treated rats and Zucker diabetic fatty rats, resulting in improved insulin responses and glycemic control in each animal model, with no change in body weight. In in vitro studies, D-GIP1–30 exhibited equivalent potency to GIP1–42 on β-cell function and survival, but greatly reduced action on lipoprotein lipase activity in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Conclusions These findings demonstrate that truncated forms of GIP exhibit potent anti-diabetic actions, without pro-obesity effects, and that the C-terminus contributes to the lipogenic actions of GIP.

GIP increases human adipocyte LPL expression through CREB and TORC2-mediated trans-activation of the LPL gene.

GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) is a gastrointestinal hormone that regulates pancreatic islet function. Additionally, emerging evidence suggests an important physiological role for GIP in the regulation of adipocyte metabolism. In previous studies on the lipogenic effects of GIP, it was shown to increase adipocyte lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity in both differentiated 3T3-L1 cells and human adipocytes through a pathway involving activation of protein kinase B (PKB)/Akt. In the current study, we examined the effects of GIP on LPL gene expression. GIP in the presence of insulin increased LPL gene expression in human adipocytes and LPL promoter activity in GIP receptor-expressing HEK-293 cells, and both effects were greatly reduced by the transcription inhibitor actinomycin D. Subsequent studies established that GIP increased phosphorylation of Serine 133 in cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB) and the nuclear localization of cAMP-responsive CREB coactivator 2 (TORC2) through a pathway involving phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K), PKB, and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). However, in the presence of insulin, GIP failed to activate the cAMP/PKA pathway. Knockdown of CREB and TORC2 using RNA interference reduced LPL expression, supporting a functional regulatory role. GIP-induced phospho-CREB and TORC2 were shown to bind to a cAMP-response element (-II) site in the human LPL promoter and GIP increased protein-protein interactions of these two factors. The lipogenic effects of GIP in the presence of insulin are therefore at least partially mediated by upregulation of adipocyte LPL gene transcription through a pathway involving PI3-K/PKB/AMPK-dependent CREB/TORC2 activation.

GIP-Overexpressing Mice Demonstrate Reduced Diet-Induced Obesity and Steatosis, and Improved Glucose Homeostasis

Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) is a gastrointestinal hormone that potentiates glucose-stimulated insulin secretion during a meal. Since GIP has also been shown to exert β-cell prosurvival and adipocyte lipogenic effects in rodents, both GIP receptor agonists and antagonists have been considered as potential therapeutics in type 2 diabetes (T2DM). In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that chronically elevating GIP levels in a transgenic (Tg) mouse model would increase adipose tissue expansion and exert beneficial effects on glucose homeostasis. In contrast, although GIP Tg mice demonstrated enhanced β-cell function, resulting in improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity, they exhibited reduced diet-induced obesity. Adipose tissue macrophage infiltration and hepatic steatosis were both greatly reduced, and a number of genes involved in lipid metabolism/inflammatory signaling pathways were found to be down-regulated. Reduced adiposity in GIP Tg mice was associated with decreased energy intake, involving overexpression of hypothalamic GIP. Together, these studies suggest that, in the context of over-nutrition, transgenic GIP overexpression has the potential to improve hepatic and adipocyte function as well as glucose homeostasis.

Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide stimulation of lipolysis in differentiated 3T3-L1 cells: wortmannin-sensitive inhibition by insulin.

GIP is an important insulinotropic hormone (incretin) that has also been implicated in fat metabolism. There is controversy regarding the actions of GIP on adipocytes. In the current study, the existence of GIP receptors and effects of GIP on lipolysis were studied in differentiated 3T3-L1 cells. GIP receptor messenger RNA was detected by RT-PCR and RNase protection assay. Receptors were detected in binding studies (IC50 26.7 ± 0.7 nm). GIP stimulated glycerol release with an EC50 of 3.28 ± 0.63 nm. GIP (10−9–10−7 m) + IBMX increased cAMP production by 1180–2246%. The adenylyl cyclase inhibitor MDL 12330A (10−4 m) inhibited GIP-induced glycerol production by >90%, and reduced cAMP responses to basal. Preincubation of 3T3-L1 cells with insulin inhibited glycerol responses to GIP, and the inhibitory effect of insulin was blocked by the phosphatidylinositol 3′-kinase inhibitor, wortmannin. It is concluded that GIP stimulates glycerol release in 3T3-L1 cells primarily via stimulation of cAMP production, and t...