1
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Beetch M, Akhaphong B, Wong A, Clifton B, Jo S, Mohan R, Abrahante Llorens JE, Alejandro EU. Impact of placental mTOR deficiency on peripheral insulin signaling in adult mice offspring. J Mol Endocrinol 2023; 71:e230035. [PMID: 37855320 PMCID: PMC10620464 DOI: 10.1530/jme-23-0035] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023]
Abstract
Suboptimal in utero environments such as poor maternal nutrition and gestational diabetes can impact fetal birth weight and the metabolic health trajectory of the adult offspring. Fetal growth is associated with alterations in placental mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling; it is reduced in fetal growth restriction and increased in fetal overgrowth. We previously reported that when metabolically challenged by a high-fat diet, placental mTORKO (mTORKOpl) adult female offspring develop obesity and insulin resistance, whereas placental TSC2KO (TSC2KOpl) female offspring are protected from diet-induced obesity and maintain proper glucose homeostasis. In the present study, we sought to investigate whether reducing or increasing placental mTOR signaling in utero alters the programming of adult offspring metabolic tissues preceding a metabolic challenge. Adult male and female mTORKOpl, TSC2KOpl, and respective controls on a normal chow diet were subjected to an acute intraperitoneal insulin injection. Upon insulin stimulation, insulin signaling via phosphorylation of Akt and nutrient sensing via phosphorylation of mTOR target ribosomal S6 were evaluated in the offspring liver, white adipose tissue, and skeletal muscle. Among tested tissues, we observed significant changes only in the liver signaling. In the male mTORKOpl adult offspring liver, insulin-stimulated phospho-Akt was enhanced compared to littermate controls. Basal phospho-S6 level was increased in the mTORKOpl female offspring liver compared to littermate controls and did not increase further in response to insulin. RNA sequencing of offspring liver identified placental mTORC1 programming-mediated differentially expressed genes. The expression of major urinary protein 1 (Mup1) was differentially altered in female mTORKOpl and TSC2KOpl offspring livers and we show that MUP1 level is dependent on overnutrition and fasting status. In summary, deletion of placental mTOR nutrient sensing in utero programs hepatic response to insulin action in a sexually dimorphic manner. Additionally, we highlight a possible role for hepatic and circulating MUP1 in glucose homeostasis that warrants further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan Beetch
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Brian Akhaphong
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Alicia Wong
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Briana Clifton
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Seokwon Jo
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Ramkumar Mohan
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | | | - Emilyn U Alejandro
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
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2
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Wong A, Pritchard S, Moore M, Akhaphong B, Avula N, Beetch M, Fujitani Y, Alejandro EU. Overexpression of Pdx1, reduction of p53, or deletion of CHOP attenuates pancreas hypoplasia in mice with pancreas-specific O-GlcNAc transferase deletion. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:102878. [PMID: 36623733 PMCID: PMC9932656 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.102878] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Deletion of O-GlcNAc transferase (Ogt) in pancreatic epithelial progenitor cells results in pancreatic hypoplasia at birth, partly due to increased apoptosis during embryonic development. Constitutive loss of Ogt in β-cells results in increased ER stress and apoptosis, and in the Ogt-deficient pancreas, transcriptomic data previously revealed both tumor suppressor protein p53 and pancreatic duodenal homeobox 1 (Pdx1), key cell survival proteins in the developing pancreas, as upstream regulators of differentially expressed genes. However, the specific roles of these genes in pancreatic hypoplasia are unclear. In this study, we explored the independent roles of p53, ER stress protein CHOP, and Pdx1 in pancreas development and their use in the functional rescue of pancreatic hypoplasia in the context of Ogt loss. Using in vivo genetic manipulation and morphometric analysis, we show that Ogt plays a key regulatory role in pancreas development. Heterozygous, but not homozygous, loss of pancreatic p53 afforded a partial rescue of β-cell, α-cell, and exocrine cell masses, while whole body loss of CHOP afforded a partial rescue in pancreas weight and a full rescue in exocrine cell mass. However, neither was sufficient to fully mitigate pancreatic hypoplasia at birth in the Ogt-deficient pancreas. Furthermore, overexpression of Pdx1 in the pancreatic epithelium resulted in partial rescues in pancreas weight and β-cell mass in the Ogt loss background. These findings highlight the requirement of Ogt in pancreas development by targeting multiple proteins such as transcription factor Pdx1 and p53 in the developing pancreas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia Wong
- Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Department of Genetics, Cell Biology & Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Samantha Pritchard
- Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Mackenzie Moore
- Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Brian Akhaphong
- Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Nandini Avula
- Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Megan Beetch
- Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Yoshio Fujitani
- Institute for Molecular and Cellular Regulation, Gunma University, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan
| | - Emilyn U Alejandro
- Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.
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Wong A, Akhaphong B, Baumann D, Alejandro EU. Genetic Ablation of the Nutrient Sensor Ogt in Endocrine Progenitors Is Dispensable for β-Cell Development but Essential for Maintenance of β-Cell Mass. Biomedicines 2022; 11:105. [PMID: 36672613 PMCID: PMC9855876 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11010105] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Previously we utilized a murine model to demonstrate that Ogt deletion in pancreatic progenitors (OgtKOPanc) causes pancreatic hypoplasia, partly mediated by a reduction in the Pdx1-expressing pancreatic progenitor pool. Here, we continue to explore the role of Ogt in pancreas development by deletion of Ogt in the endocrine progenitors (OgtKOEndo). At birth OgtKOEndo, were normoglycemic and had comparable pancreas weight and α-cell, and β-cell mass to littermate controls. At postnatal day 23, OgtKOEndo displayed wide ranging but generally elevated blood glucose levels, with histological analyses showing aberrant islet architecture with α-cells invading the islet core. By postnatal day 60, these mice were overtly diabetic and showed significant loss of both α-cell and β-cell mass. Together, these results highlight the indispensable role of Ogt in maintenance of β-cell mass and glucose homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia Wong
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Brian Akhaphong
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Daniel Baumann
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Emilyn U. Alejandro
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
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Root KM, Akhaphong B, Cedars MA, Molin AM, Huchthausen ME, Laule CF, Regal RR, Alejandro EU, Regal JF. Critical Role for Macrophages in the Developmental Programming of Pancreatic β-Cell Area in Offspring of Hypertensive Pregnancies. Diabetes 2022; 71:2597-2611. [PMID: 36125850 PMCID: PMC9750952 DOI: 10.2337/db22-0404] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-specific complication with long-term negative outcomes for offspring, including increased susceptibility to type 2 diabetes (T2D) in adulthood. In a rat reduced uteroplacental perfusion pressure (RUPP) model of chronic placental ischemia, maternal hypertension in conjunction with intrauterine growth restriction mimicked aspects of preeclampsia and resulted in female embryonic day 19 (e19) offspring with reduced β-cell area and increased β-cell apoptosis compared with offspring of sham pregnancies. Decreased pancreatic β-cell area persisted to postnatal day 13 (PD13) in females and could influence whether T2D developed in adulthood. Macrophage changes also occurred in islets in T2D. Therefore, we hypothesized that macrophages are crucial to reduction in pancreatic β-cell area in female offspring after chronic placental ischemia. Macrophage marker CD68 mRNA expression was significantly elevated in e19 and PD13 islets isolated from female RUPP offspring compared with sham. Postnatal injections of clodronate liposomes into female RUPP and sham offspring on PD2 and PD9 significantly depleted macrophages compared with injections of control liposomes. Depletion of macrophages rescued reduced β-cell area and increased β-cell proliferation and size in RUPP offspring. Our studies suggest that the presence of macrophages is important for reduced β-cell area in female RUPP offspring and changes in macrophages could contribute to development of T2D in adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate M. Root
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth, MN
| | - Brian Akhaphong
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN
| | - Melissa A. Cedars
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth, MN
| | - Alexa M. Molin
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth, MN
| | | | - Connor F. Laule
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth, MN
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA
| | - Ronald R. Regal
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth, MN
| | - Emilyn U. Alejandro
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN
| | - Jean F. Regal
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth, MN
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Regal JF, Cedars MA, Root KM, Huchthausen ME, Akhaphong B, Alejandro EU. Abstract P349: Decreased Complement Component C3 In Islets Is Associated With A Reduction In Pancreatic Beta Cell Area In Rat Offspring Following Chronic Placental Ischemia-induced Hypertension. Hypertension 2022. [DOI: 10.1161/hyp.79.suppl_1.p349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Gestational hypertension with or without low birth weight is associated with increased risk for Type 2 diabetes in offspring. Pancreatic beta cell mass is set very early in life and can influence whether an individual develops Type 2 diabetes. We previously demonstrated that postnatal day (PD)13 female offspring of rats subjected to chronic placental ischemia-induced hypertension had significantly reduced beta cell area. Previous studies in humans have noted increased circulating C3 in Type 2 diabetics, as well as an important role for intracellular complement C3 in maintaining integrity of the beta cell in the islet. Thus, we hypothesized that decreased C3 in islets is associated with reductions in beta cell area in rat offspring following placental insufficiency. The rat Reduced Uterine Perfusion Pressure (RUPP) model was used to mechanically induce placental insufficiency in the dam by placing silver clips on abdominal aorta and uterine arteries on gestation day 14 of a 21-day gestation, resulting in hypertension in the dam. Pancreatic islets and acinar were isolated by collagenase perfusion and hand picking from PD13 female offspring of RUPP and Sham dams. The concentration of C3 in serum, isolated islets and acinar was determined by ELISA. C3 was significantly increased in serum of female RUPP compared to female Sham offspring. In contrast, C3 in islets was significantly decreased in RUPP female offspring compared to Sham with no significant differences detected in acinar C3 concentrations. Thus, these data suggest that decreased C3 in islets of PD13 offspring may contribute to reduction of beta cell area and long-term susceptibility for Type 2 diabetes.
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Root KM, Akhaphong B, Huchthausen ME, Laule CF, Alejandro EU, Regal JF. Role of Macrophages in Developmental Programming of Pancreatic β‐Cell Area in Offspring of Gestational Hypertension. FASEB J 2022. [DOI: 10.1096/fasebj.2022.36.s1.r2645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kate M. Root
- Biomedical SciencesUniversity of Minnesota Medical School DuluthDuluthMN
| | - Brian Akhaphong
- Integrative Biology and PhysiologyUniversity of Minnesota Medical School Twin CitiesMinneapolisMN
| | | | - Connor F. Laule
- Neuroscience and PharmacologyUniversity of Iowa Carver College of MedicineIowa CityIA
- Biomedical SciencesUniversity of Iowa Carver College of MedicineIowa CityIA
| | - Emilyn U. Alejandro
- Integrative Biology and PhysiologyUniversity of Minnesota Medical School Twin CitiesMinneapolisMN
| | - Jean F. Regal
- Biomedical SciencesUniversity of Minnesota Medical School DuluthDuluthMN
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7
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Akhaphong B, Baumann DC, Beetch M, Lockridge AD, Jo S, Wong A, Zemanovic T, Mohan R, Fondevilla DL, Sia M, Pineda-Cortel MRB, Alejandro EU. Placental mTOR complex 1 regulates fetal programming of obesity and insulin resistance in mice. JCI Insight 2021; 6:149271. [PMID: 34032632 PMCID: PMC8410096 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.149271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Fetal growth restriction, or low birth weight, is a strong determinant for eventual obesity and type 2 diabetes. Clinical studies suggest placental mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling regulates fetal birth weight and the metabolic health trajectory of the offspring. In the current study, we used a genetic model with loss of placental mTOR function (mTOR-KOPlacenta) to test the direct role of mTOR signaling on birth weight and metabolic health in the adult offspring. mTOR-KOPlacenta animals displayed reduced placental area and total weight, as well as fetal body weight at embryonic day (E) 17.5. Birth weight and serum insulin levels were reduced; however, β cell mass was normal in mTOR-KOPlacenta newborns. Adult mTOR-KOPlacenta offspring, under a metabolic high-fat challenge, displayed exacerbated obesity and metabolic dysfunction compared with littermate controls. Subsequently, we tested whether enhancing placental mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling, via genetic ablation of TSC2, in utero would improve glucose homeostasis in the offspring. Indeed, increased placental mTORC1 conferred protection from diet-induced obesity in the offspring. In conclusion, placental mTORC1 serves as a mechanistic link between placental function and programming of obesity and insulin resistance in the adult offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Akhaphong
- Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Daniel C Baumann
- Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Megan Beetch
- Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Amber D Lockridge
- Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Seokwon Jo
- Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Alicia Wong
- Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Tate Zemanovic
- Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Ramkumar Mohan
- Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Danica L Fondevilla
- Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Michelle Sia
- Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Maria Ruth B Pineda-Cortel
- Research Center for the Natural and Applied Sciences and.,Department of Medical Technology, University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines
| | - Emilyn U Alejandro
- Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
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Regal J, Polack V, Root K, Molin A, Akhaphong B, Alejandro E. Decreased Systemic Complement Activation Product C3a is Associated with a Reduction in Pancreatic β Cell Area in Islets of Female Rat Offspring following Chronic Placental Ischemia‐induced Hypertension. FASEB J 2021. [DOI: 10.1096/fasebj.2021.35.s1.01595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jean Regal
- Biomedical SciencesUniversity of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth CampusDuluthMN
| | - Vonda Polack
- Biomedical SciencesUniversity of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth CampusDuluthMN
| | - Kate Root
- Biomedical SciencesUniversity of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth CampusDuluthMN
| | - Alexa Molin
- Biomedical SciencesUniversity of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth CampusDuluthMN
| | - Brian Akhaphong
- Integrative Biology and PhysiologyUniversity of Minnesota Medical School, Twin Cites CampusMinneapolisMN
| | - Emilyn Alejandro
- Integrative Biology and PhysiologyUniversity of Minnesota Medical School, Twin Cites CampusMinneapolisMN
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Akhaphong B, Gregg B, Kumusoglu D, Jo S, Singer K, Scheys J, DelProposto J, Lumeng C, Bernal-Mizrachi E, Alejandro EU. Maternal High-Fat Diet During Pre-Conception and Gestation Predisposes Adult Female Offspring to Metabolic Dysfunction in Mice. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:780300. [PMID: 35111136 PMCID: PMC8801938 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.780300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [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: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The risk of obesity in adulthood is subject to programming in the womb. Maternal obesity contributes to programming of obesity and metabolic disease risk in the adult offspring. With the increasing prevalence of obesity in women of reproductive age there is a need to understand the ramifications of maternal high-fat diet (HFD) during pregnancy on offspring's metabolic heath trajectory. In the present study, we determined the long-term metabolic outcomes on adult male and female offspring of dams fed with HFD during pregnancy. C57BL/6J dams were fed either Ctrl or 60% Kcal HFD for 4 weeks before and throughout pregnancy, and we tested glucose homeostasis in the adult offspring. Both Ctrl and HFD-dams displayed increased weight during pregnancy, but HFD-dams gained more weight than Ctrl-dams. Litter size and offspring birthweight were not different between HFD-dams or Ctrl-dams. A significant reduction in random blood glucose was evident in newborns from HFD-dams compared to Ctrl-dams. Islet morphology and alpha-cell fraction were normal but a reduction in beta-cell fraction was observed in newborns from HFD-dams compared to Ctrl-dams. During adulthood, male offspring of HFD-dams displayed comparable glucose tolerance under normal chow. Male offspring re-challenged with HFD displayed glucose intolerance transiently. Adult female offspring of HFD-dams demonstrated normal glucose tolerance but displayed increased insulin resistance relative to controls under normal chow diet. Moreover, adult female offspring of HFD-dams displayed increased insulin secretion in response to high-glucose treatment, but beta-cell mass were comparable between groups. Together, these data show that maternal HFD at pre-conception and during gestation predisposes the female offspring to insulin resistance in adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Akhaphong
- Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Brigid Gregg
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolism, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Doga Kumusoglu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Diabetes, Brehm Center for Diabetes Research, Ann Arbor, United States
| | - Seokwon Jo
- Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Kanakadurga Singer
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolism, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Joshua Scheys
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Diabetes, Brehm Center for Diabetes Research, Ann Arbor, United States
| | - Jennifer DelProposto
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolism, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Carey Lumeng
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolism, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Ernesto Bernal-Mizrachi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Diabetes, Brehm Center for Diabetes Research, Ann Arbor, United States
- Diabetes, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Miami VA Healthcare System and Division Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
- *Correspondence: Ernesto Bernal-Mizrachi, ; Emilyn U. Alejandro,
| | - Emilyn U. Alejandro
- Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Diabetes, Brehm Center for Diabetes Research, Ann Arbor, United States
- *Correspondence: Ernesto Bernal-Mizrachi, ; Emilyn U. Alejandro,
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Alejandro EU, Jo S, Akhaphong B, Llacer PR, Gianchandani M, Gregg B, Parlee SD, MacDougald OA, Bernal-Mizrachi E. Maternal low-protein diet on the last week of pregnancy contributes to insulin resistance and β-cell dysfunction in the mouse offspring. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2020; 319:R485-R496. [PMID: 32877242 PMCID: PMC7717124 DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00284.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2019] [Revised: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Maternal low-protein diet (LP) throughout gestation affects pancreatic β-cell fraction of the offspring at birth, thus increasing their susceptibility to metabolic dysfunction and type 2 diabetes in adulthood. The present study sought to strictly examine the effects of LP during the last week of gestation (LP12.5) alone as a developmental window for β-cell programming and metabolic dysfunction in adulthood. Islet morphology analysis revealed normal β-cell fraction in LP12.5 newborns. Normal glucose tolerance was observed in 6- to 8-wk-old male and female LP12.5 offspring. However, male LP12.5 offspring displayed glucose intolerance and reduced insulin sensitivity associated with β-cell dysfunction with aging. High-fat diet exposure of metabolically normal 12-wk-old male LP12.5 induced glucose intolerance due to increased body weight, insulin resistance, and insufficient β-cell mass adaptation despite higher insulin secretion. Assessment of epigenetic mechanisms through microRNAs (miRs) by a real-time PCR-based microarray in islets revealed elevation in miRs that regulate insulin secretion (miRs 342, 143), insulin resistance (miR143), and obesity (miR219). In the islets, overexpression of miR143 reduced insulin secretion in response to glucose. In contrast to the model of LP exposure throughout pregnancy, islet protein levels of mTOR and pancreatic and duodenal homeobox 1 were normal in LP12.5 islets. Collectively, these data suggest that LP diet during the last week of pregnancy is critical and sufficient to induce specific and distinct developmental programming effects of tissues that control glucose homeostasis, thus causing permanent changes in specific set of microRNAs that may contribute to the overall vulnerability of the offspring to obesity, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilyn U Alejandro
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology, and Diabetes, Department of Internal Medicine, Brehm Center for Diabetes Research, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Seokwon Jo
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Brian Akhaphong
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Pau Romaguera Llacer
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, University of Miami, Miami, Florida
| | - Maya Gianchandani
- Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology, and Diabetes, Department of Internal Medicine, Brehm Center for Diabetes Research, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Brigid Gregg
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Sebastian D Parlee
- Department of Molecular & Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Ormond A MacDougald
- Department of Molecular & Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Ernesto Bernal-Mizrachi
- Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology, and Diabetes, Department of Internal Medicine, Brehm Center for Diabetes Research, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Miami Veterans Affairs Healthcare System University of Miami, Miami, Florida
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, University of Miami, Miami, Florida
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11
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Baumann D, Wong A, Akhaphong B, Jo S, Pritchard S, Mohan R, Chung G, Zhang Y, Alejandro EU. Role of nutrient-driven O-GlcNAc-post-translational modification in pancreatic exocrine and endocrine islet development. Development 2020; 147:dev186643. [PMID: 32165492 PMCID: PMC7174839 DOI: 10.1242/dev.186643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 02/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Although the developing pancreas is exquisitely sensitive to nutrient supply in utero, it is not entirely clear how nutrient-driven post-translational modification of proteins impacts the pancreas during development. We hypothesized that the nutrient-sensing enzyme O-GlcNAc transferase (Ogt), which catalyzes an O-GlcNAc-modification onto key target proteins, integrates nutrient-signaling networks to regulate cell survival and development. In this study, we investigated the heretofore unknown role of Ogt in exocrine and endocrine islet development. By genetic manipulation in vivo and by using morphometric and molecular analyses, such as immunofluorescence imaging and single cell RNA sequencing, we show the first evidence that Ogt regulates pancreas development. Genetic deletion of Ogt in the pancreatic epithelium (OgtKOPanc) causes pancreatic hypoplasia, in part by increased apoptosis and reduced levels of of Pdx1 protein. Transcriptomic analysis of single cell and bulk RNA sequencing uncovered cell-type heterogeneity and predicted upstream regulator proteins that mediate cell survival, including Pdx1, Ptf1a and p53, which are putative Ogt targets. In conclusion, these findings underscore the requirement of O-GlcNAcylation during pancreas development and show that Ogt is essential for pancreatic progenitor survival, providing a novel mechanistic link between nutrients and pancreas development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Baumann
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota Medical School. Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Alicia Wong
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota Medical School. Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Brian Akhaphong
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota Medical School. Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Seokwon Jo
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota Medical School. Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Samantha Pritchard
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota Medical School. Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Ramkumar Mohan
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota Medical School. Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Grace Chung
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota Medical School. Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Ying Zhang
- Minnesota Supercomputing Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Emilyn U Alejandro
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota Medical School. Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
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Regal JF, Root KM, Towner KJ, Akhaphong B, Mohan R, Alejandro EU. Reduction in Pancreatic β Cell Area is Associated with Increased Islet Macrophage Message in Female Rat Offspring following Chronic Placental Ischemia. FASEB J 2020. [DOI: 10.1096/fasebj.2020.34.s1.02160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jean F. Regal
- University of Minnesota Medical School Duluth Campus
| | - Kate M. Root
- University of Minnesota Medical School Duluth Campus
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Akhaphong B, Lockridge A, Jo S, Mohan R, Wilcox JA, Wing CR, Regal JF, Alejandro EU. Reduced uterine perfusion pressure causes loss of pancreatic β-cell area but normal function in fetal rat offspring. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2018; 315:R1220-R1231. [PMID: 30303709 DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00458.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Maternal hypertension during pregnancy is a major risk factor for intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), which increases susceptibility to cardiovascular and metabolic disease in adulthood through unclear mechanisms. The aim of this study was to characterize the pancreatic β-cell area and function in the fetal rat offspring of a reduced uterine perfusion pressure (RUPP) model of gestational hypertension. At embryonic day 19.5, RUPP dams exhibited lower body weight, elevated mean blood pressure, reduced litter size, and higher blood glucose compared with sham-operated controls. In RUPP placental lysates, a nonsignificant change in mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) activity markers, phosphorylated S6 at serine 240, and phosphorylated AKT (at S473) was observed. RUPP offspring showed significantly reduced β-cell-to-pancreas area and increased β-cell death but normal insulin levels in serum. Isolated islets had normal insulin content and secretory function in response to glucose and palmitate. Fetal pancreatic lysates showed a tendency for reduced insulin levels, with a significant reduction in total mTOR protein with RUPP surgery. In addition, its downstream complex 2 targets phosphorylation of AKT at S473, and pAKT at Thr308 tended to be reduced in the fetal RUPP pancreas. Altogether, these data show that RUPP offspring demonstrated increased β-cell death, reduced β-cell area, and altered nutrient-sensor mTOR protein level in the pancreas. This could represent a mechanistic foundation in IUGR offspring's risk for enhanced susceptibility to type 2 diabetes and other metabolic vulnerabilities seen in adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Akhaphong
- Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology, University of Minnesota: Twin Cities, Minnesota
| | - Amber Lockridge
- Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology, University of Minnesota: Twin Cities, Minnesota
| | - Seokwon Jo
- Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology, University of Minnesota: Twin Cities, Minnesota
| | - Ramkumar Mohan
- Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology, University of Minnesota: Twin Cities, Minnesota
| | - Jacob A Wilcox
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth Campus, Duluth, Minnesota
| | - Cameron R Wing
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth Campus, Duluth, Minnesota
| | - Jean F Regal
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth Campus, Duluth, Minnesota
| | - Emilyn U Alejandro
- Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology, University of Minnesota: Twin Cities, Minnesota
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Abstract
NMDA receptors (NMDARs) have recently been discovered as functional regulators of pancreatic β-cell insulin secretion. While these excitatory receptor channels have been extensively studied in the brain for their role in synaptic plasticity and development, little is known about how they work in β-cells. In neuronal cells, NMDAR activation requires the simultaneous binding of glutamate and a rate-limiting co-agonist, such as D-serine. D-serine levels and availability in most of the brain rely on endogenous synthesis by the enzyme serine racemase (Srr). Srr transcripts have been reported in human and mouse islets but it is not clear whether Srr is functionally expressed in β-cells or what its role in the pancreas might be. In this investigation, we reveal that Srr protein is highly expressed in primary human and mouse β-cells. Mice with whole body deletion of Srr (Srr KO) show improved glucose tolerance through enhanced insulin secretory capacity, possibly through Srr-mediated alterations in islet NMDAR expression and function. We observed elevated insulin sensitivity in some animals, suggesting Srr metabolic regulation in other peripheral organs as well. Srr expression in neonatal and embryonic islets, and adult deficits in Srr KO pancreas weight and islet insulin content, point toward a potential role for Srr in pancreatic development. These data reveal the first evidence that Srr may regulate glucose homeostasis in peripheral tissues and provide circumstantial evidence that D-serine may be an endogenous islet NMDAR co-agonist in β-cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Daniel C. Baumann
- Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Brian Akhaphong
- Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Alleah Abrenica
- Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Robert F. Miller
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Emilyn U. Alejandro
- Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- CONTACT Emilyn U. Alejandro Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
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