Interleukin 1-induced Fos and Jun do not regulate inducible nitric oxide synthase in rat islets of Langerhans and RINm5F cells

The c-Jun N-terminal kinase JNK participates in cytokine- and isolation stress-induced rat pancreatic islet apoptosis

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

The protocols used for the preparation of human pancreatic islets immediately induce a sustained and massive activation of the c-Jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK). JNK, which participates in apoptosis of insulin-secreting cells, is activated by mechanical stresses, as well as by exposure to pro-inflammatory cytokines. Here, we investigated whether the delivery of a protease-resistant JNK inhibitory peptide (D-JNKI) through a protein transduction system during pancreatic digestion might impair JNK signalling throughout the transplantation procedure.

METHODS

Rat pancreases were treated with D-JNKI through the pancreatic duct and cells then isolated by enzymatic digestion. Protein extracts were prepared to determine JNK activity by kinase assays and total RNA was extracted to measure gene expressions by a Light-Cycler technique. Cell apoptosis rate was determined by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labelling (TUNEL) assay and by scoring cells displaying pycnotic nuclei.

RESULTS

Our data establish that the peptide transduction system used here efficiently transfects islets, allowing for stable in vivo (up to 2 days) transfection of human islets transplanted under the kidney capsule. Further, D-JNKI decreases intracellular JNK signalling during isolation and following cytokine exposure in both human and rat islets, as measured by kinase assays and reduced c-fos expression; D-JNKI also confers protection against apoptosis induced during the rat islet preparation and subsequent to IL-1beta exposure.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

JNK signalling participates in islet isolation- and IL-1beta-induced apoptosis in rat islets. Furthermore, the system we used might be more generally applicable for the persistent blockage (several days) of pro-apoptotic pathways in the transplanted islets; this days-long protection might potentially be an absolute prerequisite to help transplanted islets better survive the first wave of the non-specific inflammatory attack.

Transcriptional regulation of the endoplasmic reticulum stress gene chop in pancreatic insulin-producing cells

Endoplasmic reticulum stress-mediated apoptosis may play an important role in the destruction of pancreatic beta-cells, thus contributing to the development of type 1 and type 2 diabetes. One of the regulators of endoplasmic reticulum stress-mediated cell death is the CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP) homologous protein (Chop). We presently studied the molecular regulation of Chop expression in insulin-producing cells (INS-1E) in response to three pro-apoptotic and endoplasmic reticulum stress-inducing agents, namely the cytokines interleukin-1beta + interferon-gamma, the free fatty acid palmitate, and the sarcoendoplasmic reticulum pump Ca(2+) ATPase blocker cyclopiazonic acid (CPA). Detailed mutagenesis studies of the Chop promoter showed differential regulation of Chop transcription by CPA, cytokines, and palmitate. Whereas palmitate- and cytokine-induced Chop expression was mediated via a C/EBP-activating transcription factor (ATF) composite and AP-1 binding sites, CPA induction required the C/EBP-ATF site and the endoplasmic reticulum stress response element. Cytokines, palmitate, and CPA induced eIF2alpha phosphorylation in INS-1E cells leading to activation of the transcription factor ATF4. Chop transcription in response to cytokines and palmitate depends on the binding of ATF4 and AP-1 to the Chop promoter, but distinct AP-1 dimers were formed by cytokines and palmitate. These results suggest a differential response of beta-cells to diverse endoplasmic reticulum stress inducers, leading to a differential regulation of Chop transcription.

Intracellular stress signaling pathways activated during human islet preparation and following acute cytokine exposure

Pancreatic islet transplantation may successfully restore normoglycemia in type 1 diabetic patients. However, successful grafting requires transplantation of a sufficient number of islets, usually requiring two or more donors. During the isolation process and following clinical transplantation, islets are subjected to severe adverse conditions that impair survival and ultimately contribute to graft failure. Here, we have mapped the major intracellular stress-signaling pathways that may mediate human islet loss during isolation and following cytokine attack. We found that the isolation procedure potently recruits two pathways consisting of |mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MKK)7 --> Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase (JNK)/p38 --> c-fos| and the |nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) --> iNOS| module. Cytokines activate the |NF-kappaB --> iNOS| and |MKK4/MKK3/6 --> JNK/p38| pathways without recruitment of c-fos. Culturing the islets for 48 h after isolation allows for the activated pathways to return to background levels, with expression of MKK7 becoming undetectable. These data indicate that isolation and cytokines recruit different death pathways. Therefore, strategies might be rationally developed to avoid possible synergistic activation of these pathways in mediating islet loss during isolation and following grafting.

Cell-permeable peptide inhibitors of JNK: novel blockers of beta-cell death

Stress conditions and proinflammatory cytokines activate the c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK), a member of the stress-activated group of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). We recently demonstrated that inhibition of JNK signaling with the use of the islet-brain (IB) 1 and 2 proteins prevented interleukin (IL)-1beta-induced pancreatic beta-cell death. Bioactive cell-permeable peptide inhibitors of JNK were engineered by linking the minimal 20-amino acid inhibitory domains of the IB proteins to the 10-amino acid HIV-TAT sequence that rapidly translocates inside cells. Kinase assays indicate that the inhibitors block activation of the transcription factor c-Jun by JNK. Addition of the peptides to the insulin-secreting betaTC-3 cell line results in a marked inhibition of IL-1beta-induced c-jun and c-fos expression. The peptides protect betaTC-3 cells against apoptosis induced by IL-1beta. All-D retro-inverso peptides penetrate cells as efficiently as the L-enantiomers, decrease c-Jun activation by JNK, and remain highly stable inside cells. These latter peptides confer full protection against IL-1beta-induced apoptosis for up to 2 weeks of continual treatment with IL-1beta. These data establish these bioactive cell-permeable peptides as potent pharmacological compounds that decrease intracellular JNK signaling and confer long-term protection to pancreatic beta-cells from IL-1beta-induced apoptosis.

Human and rat neutrophils constitutively express neural nitric oxide synthase mRNA

Freshly isolated rat circulating neutrophils (PMN) constitutively expressed neural nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) mRNA and nNOS protein and exhibited spontaneous basal release of low concentrations of nitrate and nitrite anion (RNI). In contrast, rat peripheral monocytes and macrophages were devoid of nNOS mRNA and protein and did not exhibit basal or spontaneous release of RNI. Constitutive neural NOS mRNA was also found in human PMN. However, nNOS protein was not expressed and spontaneous generation of RNI was absent in the human PMN. Spontaneous release of RNI from rat PMN was inhibited by 7-nitroindazole but not by L-N-iminoethyllysine, which further supported the nNOS origin of the spontaneously produced RNI. Intravenous administration of Escherichia coli endotoxin (0.6 mg/kg) did not acutely affect the content of nNOS mRNA or protein but inhibited nNOS-derived production of RNI in PMN and up-regulated iNOS mRNA and iNOS protein in PMN, macrophages, and monocytes. This communication demonstrates the existence of nNOS mRNA in rat and human PMN and nNOS protein in rat PMN. Moreover, the data also show that the nNOS system in rat PMN is functional and is inhibitable by the nNOS inhibitor 7-nitroindazole. These findings offer an explanation for the spontaneous formation of the PMN-derived relaxing factor resembling nitric oxide (NO). Moreover, since basal production of NO can affect expression of adhesion molecules and cell-cell binding, the nNOS system within the rat may play an important role in PMN function in normal and disease states. Finally and speculatively, if constitutively expressed nNOS mRNA is subject to activation and translation into nNOS protein, nNOS may also play a role in the function of human PMN.