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Martens S, Coolens K, Van Bulck M, Arsenijevic T, Casamitjana J, Fernandez Ruiz A, El Kaoutari A, Martinez de Villareal J, Madhloum H, Esni F, Heremans Y, Leuckx G, Heimberg H, Bouwens L, Jacquemin P, De Paep DL, In't Veld P, D'Haene N, Bouchart C, Dusetti N, Van Laethem JL, Waelput W, Lefesvre P, Real FX, Rovira M, Rooman I. Discovery and 3D imaging of a novel ΔNp63-expressing basal cell type in human pancreatic ducts with implications in disease. Gut 2021; 71:gutjnl-2020-322874. [PMID: 34330784 PMCID: PMC9484383 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2020-322874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aggressive basal-like molecular subtype of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) harbours a ΔNp63 (p40) gene expression signature reminiscent of a basal cell type. Distinct from other epithelia with basal tumours, ΔNp63+ basal cells reportedly do not exist in the normal pancreas. DESIGN We evaluated ΔNp63 expression in human pancreas, chronic pancreatitis (CP) and PDAC. We further studied in depth the non-cancerous tissue and developed a three-dimensional (3D) imaging protocol (FLIP-IT, Fluorescence Light sheet microscopic Imaging of Paraffin-embedded or Intact Tissue) to study formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded samples at single cell resolution. Pertinent mouse models and HPDE cells were analysed. RESULTS In normal human pancreas, rare ΔNp63+ cells exist in ducts while their prevalence increases in CP and in a subset of PDAC. In non-cancer tissue, ΔNp63+ cells are atypical KRT19+ duct cells that overall lack SOX9 expression while they do express canonical basal markers and pertain to a niche of cells expressing gastrointestinal stem cell markers. 3D views show that the basal cells anchor on the basal membrane of normal medium to large ducts while in CP they exist in multilayer dome-like structures. In mice, ΔNp63 is not found in adult pancreas nor in selected models of CP or PDAC, but it is induced in organoids from larger Sox9low ducts. In HPDE, ΔNp63 supports a basal cell phenotype at the expense of a classical duct cell differentiation programme. CONCLUSION In larger human pancreatic ducts, basal cells exist. ΔNp63 suppresses duct cell identity. These cells may play an important role in pancreatic disease, including PDAC ontogeny, but are not present in mouse models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandrina Martens
- Laboratory of Medical and Molecular Oncology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussel, Belgium
| | - Katarina Coolens
- Laboratory of Medical and Molecular Oncology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussel, Belgium
| | - Mathias Van Bulck
- Laboratory of Medical and Molecular Oncology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussel, Belgium
| | - Tatjana Arsenijevic
- Laboratory of Experimental Gastroenterology, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Belgium
- Hopital Erasme Service de Gastroenterologie d'Hepato-Pancreatologie et d'Oncologie Digestive, Bruxelles, Belgium
| | - Joan Casamitjana
- Department of Physiological Science, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona (UB), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
- Pancreas Regeneration: Pancreatic Progenitors and Their Niche Group, Regenerative Medicine Program, P-CMR[C], Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge - IDIBELL, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Angel Fernandez Ruiz
- Department of Physiological Science, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona (UB), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
- Pancreas Regeneration: Pancreatic Progenitors and Their Niche Group, Regenerative Medicine Program, P-CMR[C], Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge - IDIBELL, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Abdessamad El Kaoutari
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille - CRCM, INSERM UMR1068, CRCM, Marseille, France
- COMPO Unit, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille, Marseille, France
| | | | - Hediel Madhloum
- Laboratory of Medical and Molecular Oncology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussel, Belgium
| | - Farzad Esni
- Division of Pediatric General and Thoracic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Department of Surgery, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Yves Heremans
- Laboratory of Beta Cell Neogenesis, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussel, Belgium
| | - Gunter Leuckx
- Laboratory of Beta Cell Neogenesis, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussel, Belgium
| | - Harry Heimberg
- Laboratory of Beta Cell Neogenesis, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussel, Belgium
| | - Luc Bouwens
- Cell Differentiation Laboratory, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussel, Belgium
| | - Patrick Jacquemin
- Institut de Duve, Université catholique de Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | | | - Peter In't Veld
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussel, Belgium
| | - Nicky D'Haene
- Department of Pathology, Hopital Erasme, Bruxelles, Belgium
| | - Christelle Bouchart
- Department of Radiation-Oncology, Jules Bordet Institute, Bruxelles, Belgium
| | - Nelson Dusetti
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille - CRCM, INSERM UMR1068, CRCM, Marseille, France
| | - Jean-Luc Van Laethem
- Laboratory of Experimental Gastroenterology, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Belgium
- Hopital Erasme Service de Gastroenterologie d'Hepato-Pancreatologie et d'Oncologie Digestive, Bruxelles, Belgium
| | - Wim Waelput
- Department of Pathology, UZ Brussel, Brussel, Belgium
- Department of Pathology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussel, Belgium
| | - Pierre Lefesvre
- Department of Pathology, UZ Brussel, Brussel, Belgium
- Department of Pathology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussel, Belgium
| | - Francisco X Real
- Epithelial Carcinogenesis Group, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre, Madrid, Spain
| | - Meritxell Rovira
- Department of Physiological Science, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona (UB), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
- Pancreas Regeneration: Pancreatic Progenitors and Their Niche Group, Regenerative Medicine Program, P-CMR[C], Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge - IDIBELL, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Ilse Rooman
- Laboratory of Medical and Molecular Oncology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussel, Belgium
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Smeets S, Stangé G, Leuckx G, Roelants L, Cools W, De Paep DL, Ling Z, De Leu N, In't Veld P. Evidence of Tissue Repair in Human Donor Pancreas After Prolonged Duration of Stay in Intensive Care. Diabetes 2020; 69:401-412. [PMID: 31843955 DOI: 10.2337/db19-0529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2019] [Accepted: 12/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
M2 macrophages play an important role in tissue repair and regeneration. They have also been found to modulate β-cell replication in mouse models of pancreatic injury and disease. We previously reported that β-cell replication is strongly increased in a subgroup of human organ donors characterized by prolonged duration of stay in an intensive care unit (ICU) and increased number of leukocytes in the pancreatic tissue. In the present study we investigated the relationship between duration of stay in the ICU, M2 macrophages, vascularization, and pancreatic cell replication. Pancreatic organs from 50 donors without diabetes with different durations of stay in the ICU were analyzed by immunostaining and digital image analysis. The number of CD68+CD206+ M2 macrophages increased three- to sixfold from ≥6 days' duration of stay in the ICU onwards. This was accompanied by a threefold increased vascular density and a four- to ninefold increase in pancreatic cells positive for the replication marker Ki67. A strong correlation was observed between the number of M2 macrophages and β-cell replication. These results show that a prolonged duration of stay in the ICU is associated with an increased M2 macrophage number, increased vascular density, and an overall increase in replication of all pancreatic cell types. Our data show evidence of marked levels of tissue repair in the human donor pancreas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silke Smeets
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Geert Stangé
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Gunter Leuckx
- Beta Cell Neogenesis, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Lisbeth Roelants
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Wilfried Cools
- Interfaculty Center Data processing and Statistics, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Diedert Luc De Paep
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Beta Cell Bank, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Surgery, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Zhidong Ling
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Beta Cell Bank, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Nico De Leu
- Beta Cell Neogenesis, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Endocrinology, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Peter In't Veld
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
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Baeyens L, Lemper M, Leuckx G, De Groef S, Bonfanti P, Stangé G, Shemer R, Nord C, Scheel DW, Pan FC, Ahlgren U, Gu G, Stoffers DA, Dor Y, Ferrer J, Gradwohl G, Wright CVE, Van de Casteele M, German MS, Bouwens L, Heimberg H. Retraction Note: Transient cytokine treatment induces acinar cell reprogramming and regenerates functional beta cell mass in diabetic mice. Nat Biotechnol 2020; 38:374. [PMID: 32066957 DOI: 10.1038/s41587-020-0426-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
This article has been retracted; see accompanying Retraction Note, which can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luc Baeyens
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.,Diabetes Center, California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Marie Lemper
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Gunter Leuckx
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Sofie De Groef
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Paola Bonfanti
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Geert Stangé
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Ruth Shemer
- The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Christoffer Nord
- Umeå Center for Molecular Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - David W Scheel
- Diabetes Center, California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Fong C Pan
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University Program in Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Ulf Ahlgren
- Umeå Center for Molecular Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Guoqiang Gu
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University Program in Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Doris A Stoffers
- Institute for Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Yuval Dor
- The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Jorge Ferrer
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomediques August Pi i Sunyer, Hospital Clinic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Gerard Gradwohl
- Development and Stem Cells Program, Institute of Genetics and Molecular and Cellular Biology (IGBMC), Illkirch, France
| | - Christopher V E Wright
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University Program in Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | | | - Michael S German
- Diabetes Center, California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Luc Bouwens
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Harry Heimberg
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.
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Staels W, Verdonck Y, Heremans Y, Leuckx G, De Groef S, Heirman C, de Koning E, Gysemans C, Thielemans K, Baeyens L, Heimberg H, De Leu N. Vegf-A mRNA transfection as a novel approach to improve mouse and human islet graft revascularisation. Diabetologia 2018; 61:1804-1810. [PMID: 29789879 DOI: 10.1007/s00125-018-4646-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2017] [Accepted: 04/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
AIMS/HYPOTHESIS The initial avascular period following islet transplantation seriously compromises graft function and survival. Enhancing graft revascularisation to improve engraftment has been attempted through virus-based delivery of angiogenic triggers, but risks associated with viral vectors have hampered clinical translation. In vitro transcribed mRNA transfection circumvents these risks and may be used for improving islet engraftment. METHODS Mouse and human pancreatic islet cells were transfected with mRNA encoding the angiogenic growth factor vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) before transplantation under the kidney capsule in mice. RESULTS At day 7 post transplantation, revascularisation of grafts transfected with Vegf-A (also known as Vegfa) mRNA was significantly higher compared with non-transfected or Gfp mRNA-transfected controls in mouse islet grafts (2.11- and 1.87-fold, respectively) (vessel area/graft area, mean ± SEM: 0.118 ± 0.01 [n = 3] in Vegf-A mRNA transfected group (VEGF) vs 0.056 ± 0.01 [n = 3] in no RNA [p < 0.05] vs 0.063 ± 0.02 [n = 4] in Gfp mRNA transfected group (GFP) [p < 0.05]); EndoC-bH3 grafts (2.85- and 2.48-fold. respectively) (0.085 ± 0.02 [n = 4] in VEGF vs 0.030 ± 0.004 [n = 4] in no RNA [p < 0.05] vs 0.034 ± 0.01 [n = 5] in GFP [p < 0.05]); and human islet grafts (3.17- and 3.80-fold, respectively) (0.048 ± 0.013 [n = 3] in VEGF vs 0.015 ± 0.0051 [n = 4] in no RNA [p < 0.01] vs 0.013 ± 0.0046 [n = 4] in GFP [p < 0.01]). At day 30 post transplantation, human islet grafts maintained a vascularisation benefit (1.70- and 1.82-fold, respectively) (0.049 ± 0.0042 [n = 8] in VEGF vs 0.029 ± 0.0052 [n = 5] in no RNA [p < 0.05] vs 0.027 ± 0.0056 [n = 4] in GFP [p < 0.05]) and a higher beta cell volume (1.64- and 2.26-fold, respectively) (0.0292 ± 0.0032 μl [n = 7] in VEGF vs 0.0178 ± 0.0021 μl [n = 5] in no RNA [p < 0.01] vs 0.0129 ± 0.0012 μl [n = 4] in GFP [p < 0.001]). CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION Vegf-A mRNA transfection before transplantation provides a promising and safe strategy to improve engraftment of islets and other cell-based implants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Willem Staels
- Beta Cell Neogenesis (BENE), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090, Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Paediatrics, Division of Paediatric Endocrinology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Yannick Verdonck
- Beta Cell Neogenesis (BENE), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Yves Heremans
- Beta Cell Neogenesis (BENE), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Gunter Leuckx
- Beta Cell Neogenesis (BENE), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Sofie De Groef
- Beta Cell Neogenesis (BENE), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Carlo Heirman
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Eelco de Koning
- Department of Medicine, Section of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Conny Gysemans
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Endocrinology, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Kris Thielemans
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Luc Baeyens
- Beta Cell Neogenesis (BENE), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Harry Heimberg
- Beta Cell Neogenesis (BENE), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090, Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Nico De Leu
- Beta Cell Neogenesis (BENE), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090, Brussels, Belgium.
- Department of Endocrinology, UZ Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.
- Department of Endocrinology, ASZ Aalst, Aalst, Belgium.
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Coppens V, Leuckx G, Heremans Y, Staels W, Verdonck Y, Baeyens L, De Leu N, Heimberg H. Semi-automated digital measurement as the method of choice for beta cell mass analysis. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0191249. [PMID: 29408875 PMCID: PMC5800540 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0191249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2016] [Accepted: 01/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreas injury by partial duct ligation (PDL) activates beta cell differentiation and proliferation in adult mouse pancreas but remains controversial regarding the anticipated increase in beta cell volume. Several reports unable to show beta cell volume augmentation in PDL pancreas used automated digital image analysis software. We hypothesized that fully automatic beta cell morphometry without manual micrograph artifact remediation introduces bias and therefore might be responsible for reported discrepancies and controversy. However, our present results prove that standard digital image processing with automatic thresholding is sufficiently robust albeit less sensitive and less adequate to demonstrate a significant increase in beta cell volume in PDL versus Sham-operated pancreas. We therefore conclude that other confounding factors such as quality of surgery, selection of samples based on relative abundance of the transcription factor Neurogenin 3 (Ngn3) and tissue processing give rise to inter-laboratory inconsistencies in beta cell volume quantification in PDL pancreas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Violette Coppens
- Beta cell Neogenesis, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Collaborative Antwerp Psychiatric Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Campus Drie Eiken, Antwerp, Belgium
- University Department of Psychiatry, Campus Duffel, Duffel, Belgium
| | - Gunter Leuckx
- Beta cell Neogenesis, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Yves Heremans
- Beta cell Neogenesis, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Willem Staels
- Beta cell Neogenesis, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Ghent University, Hospital and Department of Pediatrics and Genetics, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Yannick Verdonck
- Beta cell Neogenesis, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Luc Baeyens
- Beta cell Neogenesis, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Nico De Leu
- Beta cell Neogenesis, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Endocrinology, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Endocrinology, Algemeen Stedelijk Ziekenhuis Aalst, Aalst, Belgium
| | - Harry Heimberg
- Beta cell Neogenesis, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- * E-mail:
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Liu KC, Leuckx G, Sakano D, Seymour PA, Mattsson CL, Rautio L, Staels W, Verdonck Y, Serup P, Kume S, Heimberg H, Andersson O. Inhibition of Cdk5 Promotes β-Cell Differentiation From Ductal Progenitors. Diabetes 2018; 67:58-70. [PMID: 28986398 PMCID: PMC6463766 DOI: 10.2337/db16-1587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [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: 12/23/2016] [Accepted: 09/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Inhibition of notch signaling is known to induce differentiation of endocrine cells in zebrafish and mouse. After performing an unbiased in vivo screen of ∼2,200 small molecules in zebrafish, we identified an inhibitor of Cdk5 (roscovitine), which potentiated the formation of β-cells along the intrapancreatic duct during concurrent inhibition of notch signaling. We confirmed and characterized the effect with a more selective Cdk5 inhibitor, (R)-DRF053, which specifically increased the number of duct-derived β-cells without affecting their proliferation. By duct-specific overexpression of the endogenous Cdk5 inhibitors Cdk5rap1 or Cdkal1 (which previously have been linked to diabetes in genome-wide association studies), as well as deleting cdk5, we validated the role of chemical Cdk5 inhibition in β-cell differentiation by genetic means. Moreover, the cdk5 mutant zebrafish displayed an increased number of β-cells independently of inhibition of notch signaling, in both the basal state and during β-cell regeneration. Importantly, the effect of Cdk5 inhibition to promote β-cell formation was conserved in mouse embryonic pancreatic explants, adult mice with pancreatic ductal ligation injury, and human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. Thus, we have revealed a previously unknown role of Cdk5 as an endogenous suppressor of β-cell differentiation and thereby further highlighted its importance in diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ka-Cheuk Liu
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Gunter Leuckx
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Daisuke Sakano
- Department of Life Science and Technology, School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Philip A Seymour
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Biology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Charlotte L Mattsson
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Linn Rautio
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Willem Staels
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Yannick Verdonck
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Palle Serup
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Biology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Shoen Kume
- Department of Life Science and Technology, School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Harry Heimberg
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Olov Andersson
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Staels W, Heremans Y, Leuckx G, Van Gassen N, Salinno C, De Groef S, Cools M, Keshet E, Dor Y, Heimberg H, De Leu N. Conditional islet hypovascularisation does not preclude beta cell expansion during pregnancy in mice. Diabetologia 2017; 60:1051-1056. [PMID: 28299380 DOI: 10.1007/s00125-017-4243-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2016] [Accepted: 02/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
AIMS/HYPOTHESIS Endothelial-endocrine cell interactions and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A signalling are deemed essential for maternal islet vascularisation, glucose control and beta cell expansion during mouse pregnancy. The aim of this study was to assess whether pregnancy-associated beta cell expansion was affected under conditions of islet hypovascularisation. METHODS Soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFLT1), a VEGF-A decoy receptor, was conditionally overexpressed in maternal mouse beta cells from 1.5 to 14.5 days post coitum. Islet vascularisation, glycaemic control, beta cell proliferation, individual beta cell size and total beta cell volume were assessed in both pregnant mice and non-pregnant littermates. RESULTS Conditional overexpression of sFLT1 in beta cells resulted in islet hypovascularisation and glucose intolerance in both pregnant and non-pregnant mice. In contrast to non-pregnant littermates, glucose intolerance in pregnant mice was transient. sFLT1 overexpression did not affect pregnancy-associated changes in beta cell proliferation, individual beta cell size or total beta cell volume. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION Reduced intra-islet VEGF-A signalling results in maternal islet hypovascularisation and impaired glycaemic control but does not preclude beta cell expansion during mouse pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Willem Staels
- Beta Cell Neogenesis (BENE), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090, Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Paediatrics, Division of Paediatric Endocrinology, Ghent University Hospital and Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Yves Heremans
- Beta Cell Neogenesis (BENE), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Gunter Leuckx
- Beta Cell Neogenesis (BENE), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Naomi Van Gassen
- Beta Cell Neogenesis (BENE), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Ciro Salinno
- Beta Cell Neogenesis (BENE), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Sofie De Groef
- Beta Cell Neogenesis (BENE), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Martine Cools
- Department of Paediatrics, Division of Paediatric Endocrinology, Ghent University Hospital and Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Eli Keshet
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, Institute of Medical Research Israel-Canada, Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Yuval Dor
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, Institute of Medical Research Israel-Canada, Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Harry Heimberg
- Beta Cell Neogenesis (BENE), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090, Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Nico De Leu
- Beta Cell Neogenesis (BENE), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090, Brussels, Belgium.
- Department of Endocrinology, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.
- Department of Endocrinology, Algemeen Stedelijk Ziekenhuis Aalst, Aalst, Belgium.
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Cunha JPMCM, Leuckx G, Sterkendries P, Korf H, Bomfim-Ferreira G, Overbergh L, Vaes B, Heimberg H, Gysemans C, Mathieu C. Human multipotent adult progenitor cells enhance islet function and revascularisation when co-transplanted as a composite pellet in a mouse model of diabetes. Diabetologia 2017; 60:134-142. [PMID: 27704164 PMCID: PMC6518081 DOI: 10.1007/s00125-016-4120-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2016] [Accepted: 09/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
AIMS/HYPOTHESIS Hypoxia in the initial days after islet transplantation leads to considerable loss of islet mass and contributes to disappointing outcomes in the clinical setting. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether co-transplantation of human non-endothelial bone marrow-derived multipotent adult progenitor cells (MAPCs), which are non-immunogenic and can secrete angiogenic growth factors during the initial days after implantation, could improve islet engraftment and survival. METHODS Islets (150) were co-transplanted, with or without human MAPCs (2.5 × 105) as separate or composite pellets, under the kidney capsule of syngeneic alloxan-induced diabetic C57BL/6 mice. Blood glucose levels were frequently monitored and IPGTTs were carried out. Grafts and serum were harvested at 2 and 5 weeks after transplantation to assess outcome. RESULTS Human MAPCs produced high amounts of angiogenic growth factors, including vascular endothelial growth factor, in vitro and in vivo, as demonstrated by the induction of neo-angiogenesis in the chorioallantoic membrane assay. Islet-human MAPC co-transplantation as a composite pellet significantly improved the outcome of islet transplantation as measured by the initial glycaemic control, diabetes reversal rate, glucose tolerance and serum C-peptide concentration compared with the outcome following transplantation of islets alone. Histologically, a higher blood vessel area and density in addition to a higher vessel/islet ratio were detected in recipients of islet-human MAPC composites. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION The present data suggest that co-transplantation of mouse pancreatic islets with human MAPCs, which secrete high amounts of angiogenic growth factors, enhance islet graft revascularisation and subsequently improve islet graft function.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Paulo M C M Cunha
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Endocrinology, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KULEUVEN), Campus Gasthuisberg O&N1, Herestraat 49 bus 902, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Gunter Leuckx
- Beta cell neogenesis laboratory, Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | | | - Hannelie Korf
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Endocrinology, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KULEUVEN), Campus Gasthuisberg O&N1, Herestraat 49 bus 902, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Gabriela Bomfim-Ferreira
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Endocrinology, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KULEUVEN), Campus Gasthuisberg O&N1, Herestraat 49 bus 902, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lutgart Overbergh
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Endocrinology, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KULEUVEN), Campus Gasthuisberg O&N1, Herestraat 49 bus 902, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Harry Heimberg
- Beta cell neogenesis laboratory, Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Conny Gysemans
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Endocrinology, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KULEUVEN), Campus Gasthuisberg O&N1, Herestraat 49 bus 902, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Chantal Mathieu
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Endocrinology, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KULEUVEN), Campus Gasthuisberg O&N1, Herestraat 49 bus 902, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
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De Groef S, Staels W, Van Gassen N, Lemper M, Yuchi Y, Sojoodi M, Bussche L, Heremans Y, Leuckx G, De Leu N, Van de Casteele M, Baeyens L, Heimberg H. Sources of beta cells inside the pancreas. Diabetologia 2016; 59:1834-7. [PMID: 27053238 DOI: 10.1007/s00125-016-3879-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2015] [Accepted: 12/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The generation of beta(-like) cells to compensate for their absolute or relative shortage in type 1 and type 2 diabetes is an obvious therapeutic strategy. Patients first received grafts of donor islet cells over 25 years ago, but this procedure has not become routine in clinical practice because of a donor cell shortage and (auto)immune problems. Transplantation of differentiated embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells may overcome some but not all the current limitations. Reprogramming exocrine cells towards functional beta(-like) cells would offer an alternative abundant and autologous source of beta(-like) cells. This review focuses on work by our research group towards achieving such a source of cells. It summarises a presentation given at the 'Can we make a better beta cell?' symposium at the 2015 annual meeting of the EASD. It is accompanied by two other reviews on topics from this symposium (by Amin Ardestani and Kathrin Maedler, DOI: 10.1007/s00125-016-3892-9 , and by Heiko Lickert and colleagues, DOI: 10.1007/s00125-016-3949-9 ) and a commentary by the Session Chair, Shanta Persaud (DOI: 10.1007/s00125-016-3870-2 ).
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofie De Groef
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, B1090, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Willem Staels
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, B1090, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Naomi Van Gassen
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, B1090, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Marie Lemper
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, B1090, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Yixing Yuchi
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, B1090, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Mozhdeh Sojoodi
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, B1090, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Leen Bussche
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, B1090, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Yves Heremans
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, B1090, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Gunter Leuckx
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, B1090, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Nico De Leu
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, B1090, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Mark Van de Casteele
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, B1090, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Luc Baeyens
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, B1090, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Harry Heimberg
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, B1090, Brussels, Belgium.
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10
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Staels W, De Groef S, Bussche L, Leuckx G, Van de Casteele M, De Leu N, Baeyens L, Heremans Y, Heimberg H. Making β(-like)-cells from exocrine pancreas. Diabetes Obes Metab 2016; 18 Suppl 1:144-51. [PMID: 27615144 DOI: 10.1111/dom.12725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2016] [Accepted: 04/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Creating an abundant source of β(-like)-cells has been a major goal in diabetes research for many decades. The concept of cell plasticity has inspired many strategies towards regenerative medicine, but its successes have been limited until very recently. Today, most cell types in the pancreas are considered candidates for the generation of β(-like)-cells through transdifferentiation. While β(-like)-cells that are in vitro differentiated from human embryonic stem cells are already being grafted in patients, β(-like)-cells generated by transdifferentiation are not yet ready for clinical application. These cells would however offer several advantages over the current β(-like)-cells generated by directed differentiation, especially concerning safety issues. In addition, perfect control of the transdifferentiation efficiency would through targeted drug delivery support a non-invasive cell therapy for diabetes. Lastly, focusing on the exocrine pancreas as prime candidate makes sense in view of their abundance and high plasticity. Keeping these hopeful perspectives in mind, it is worth to continue focused research on the mechanisms that control transdifferentiation from pancreas exocrine to β-cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Staels
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Ghent University Hospital and Department of Pediatrics and Genetics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - S De Groef
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - L Bussche
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - G Leuckx
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - M Van de Casteele
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - N De Leu
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Departments of Endocrinology, UZ Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- ASZ Aalst, Aalst, Belgium
| | - L Baeyens
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Y Heremans
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - H Heimberg
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.
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11
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Sojoodi M, Stradiot L, Tanaka K, Heremans Y, Leuckx G, Besson V, Staels W, Van de Casteele M, Marazzi G, Sassoon D, Heimberg H, Bonfanti P. The zinc finger transcription factor PW1/PEG3 restrains murine beta cell cycling. Diabetologia 2016; 59:1474-1479. [PMID: 27130279 PMCID: PMC4901110 DOI: 10.1007/s00125-016-3954-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [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: 09/26/2015] [Accepted: 03/15/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
AIMS/HYPOTHESIS Pw1 or paternally-expressed gene 3 (Peg3) encodes a zinc finger transcription factor that is widely expressed during mouse embryonic development and later restricted to multiple somatic stem cell lineages in the adult. The aim of the present study was to define Pw1 expression in the embryonic and adult pancreas and investigate its role in the beta cell cycle in Pw1 wild-type and mutant mice. METHODS We analysed PW1 expression by immunohistochemistry in pancreas of nonpregant and pregnant mice and following injury by partial duct ligation. Its role in the beta cell cycle was studied in vivo using a novel conditional knockout mouse and in vitro by lentivirus-mediated gene knockdown. RESULTS We showed that PW1 is expressed in early pancreatic progenitors at E9.5 but becomes progressively restricted to fully differentiated beta cells as they become established after birth and withdraw from the cell cycle. Notably, PW1 expression declines when beta cells are induced to proliferate and loss of PW1 function activates the beta cell cycle. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION These results indicate that PW1 is a co-regulator of the beta cell cycle and can thus be considered a novel therapeutic target in diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mozhdeh Sojoodi
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Leslie Stradiot
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Karo Tanaka
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Team, Institute of Cardiology and Nutrition, Inserm UMRS-1166, University Pierre and Marie Curie (Paris VI), Paris, France
| | - Yves Heremans
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Gunter Leuckx
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Vanessa Besson
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Team, Institute of Cardiology and Nutrition, Inserm UMRS-1166, University Pierre and Marie Curie (Paris VI), Paris, France
| | - Willem Staels
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Mark Van de Casteele
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Giovanna Marazzi
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Team, Institute of Cardiology and Nutrition, Inserm UMRS-1166, University Pierre and Marie Curie (Paris VI), Paris, France
| | - David Sassoon
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Team, Institute of Cardiology and Nutrition, Inserm UMRS-1166, University Pierre and Marie Curie (Paris VI), Paris, France
| | - Harry Heimberg
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090, Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Paola Bonfanti
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090, Brussels, Belgium.
- Institute of Child Health, University College London, 30 Guilford Street, WC1N 1EH, London, UK.
- Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, University College London, London, UK.
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12
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Staels W, De Groef S, Heremans Y, Coppens V, Van Gassen N, Leuckx G, Van de Casteele M, Van Riet I, Luttun A, Heimberg H, De Leu N. Accessory cells for β-cell transplantation. Diabetes Obes Metab 2016; 18:115-24. [PMID: 26289770 DOI: 10.1111/dom.12556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2015] [Revised: 07/22/2015] [Accepted: 08/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Despite recent advances, insulin therapy remains a treatment, not a cure, for diabetes mellitus with persistent risk of glycaemic alterations and life-threatening complications. Restoration of the endogenous β-cell mass through regeneration or transplantation offers an attractive alternative. Unfortunately, signals that drive β-cell regeneration remain enigmatic and β-cell replacement therapy still faces major hurdles that prevent its widespread application. Co-transplantation of accessory non-islet cells with islet cells has been shown to improve the outcome of experimental islet transplantation. This review will highlight current travails in β-cell therapy and focuses on the potential benefits of accessory cells for islet transplantation in diabetes.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Cell Proliferation
- Cell Separation/trends
- Cells, Cultured
- Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1/immunology
- Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1/metabolism
- Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1/pathology
- Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1/surgery
- Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/immunology
- Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/metabolism
- Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/pathology
- Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/surgery
- Endothelial Progenitor Cells/cytology
- Endothelial Progenitor Cells/immunology
- Endothelial Progenitor Cells/pathology
- Endothelial Progenitor Cells/transplantation
- Graft Rejection/immunology
- Graft Rejection/metabolism
- Graft Rejection/prevention & control
- Graft Survival
- Humans
- Immune Tolerance
- Insulin-Secreting Cells/cytology
- Insulin-Secreting Cells/immunology
- Insulin-Secreting Cells/metabolism
- Insulin-Secreting Cells/transplantation
- Islets of Langerhans Transplantation/adverse effects
- Islets of Langerhans Transplantation/immunology
- Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation/adverse effects
- Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation/trends
- Neural Crest/cytology
- Neural Crest/immunology
- Neural Crest/pathology
- Neural Crest/transplantation
- Stem Cell Transplantation/adverse effects
- Stem Cell Transplantation/trends
- T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/cytology
- T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/pathology
- T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/transplantation
- Transplantation, Autologous/adverse effects
- Transplantation, Autologous/trends
- Transplantation, Heterotopic/adverse effects
- Transplantation, Heterotopic/trends
- Transplantation, Homologous/adverse effects
- Transplantation, Homologous/trends
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Affiliation(s)
- W Staels
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Pediatrics and Genetics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - S De Groef
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Y Heremans
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - V Coppens
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - N Van Gassen
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - G Leuckx
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - M Van de Casteele
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - I Van Riet
- Department Hematology Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - A Luttun
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - H Heimberg
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - N De Leu
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Endocrinology, UZ Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Endocrinology, ASZ Aalst, Aalst, Belgium
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13
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Yuchi Y, Cai Y, Legein B, De Groef S, Leuckx G, Coppens V, Van Overmeire E, Staels W, De Leu N, Martens G, Van Ginderachter JA, Heimberg H, Van de Casteele M. Estrogen Receptor α Regulates β-Cell Formation During Pancreas Development and Following Injury. Diabetes 2015; 64:3218-28. [PMID: 26015547 DOI: 10.2337/db14-1798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2014] [Accepted: 05/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Identifying pathways for β-cell generation is essential for cell therapy in diabetes. We investigated the potential of 17β-estradiol (E2) and estrogen receptor (ER) signaling for stimulating β-cell generation during embryonic development and in the severely injured adult pancreas. E2 concentration, ER activity, and number of ERα transcripts were enhanced in the pancreas injured by partial duct ligation (PDL) along with nuclear localization of ERα in β-cells. PDL-induced proliferation of β-cells depended on aromatase activity. The activation of Neurogenin3 (Ngn3) gene expression and β-cell growth in PDL pancreas were impaired when ERα was turned off chemically or genetically (ERα(-/-)), whereas in situ delivery of E2 promoted β-cell formation. In the embryonic pancreas, β-cell replication, number of Ngn3(+) progenitor cells, and expression of key transcription factors of the endocrine lineage were decreased by ERα inactivation. The current study reveals that E2 and ERα signaling can drive β-cell replication and formation in mouse pancreas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yixing Yuchi
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Ying Cai
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Bart Legein
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Sofie De Groef
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Gunter Leuckx
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Violette Coppens
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Eva Van Overmeire
- Myeloid Cell Immunology Laboratory, Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie, Brussels, Belgium Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Willem Staels
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Ghent University Hospital, and Department of Pediatrics and Medical Genetics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Nico De Leu
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium Department of Endocrinology, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Geert Martens
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jo A Van Ginderachter
- Myeloid Cell Immunology Laboratory, Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie, Brussels, Belgium Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Harry Heimberg
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
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De Groef S, Leuckx G, Van Gassen N, Staels W, Cai Y, Yuchi Y, Coppens V, De Leu N, Heremans Y, Baeyens L, Van de Casteele M, Heimberg H. Surgical Injury to the Mouse Pancreas through Ligation of the Pancreatic Duct as a Model for Endocrine and Exocrine Reprogramming and Proliferation. J Vis Exp 2015:e52765. [PMID: 26273954 DOI: 10.3791/52765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Expansion of pancreatic beta cells in vivo or ex vivo, or generation of beta cells by differentiation from an embryonic or adult stem cell, can provide new expandable sources of beta cells to alleviate the donor scarcity in human islet transplantation as therapy for diabetes. Although recent advances have been made towards this aim, mechanisms that regulate beta cell expansion and differentiation from a stem/progenitor cell remain to be characterized. Here, we describe a protocol for an injury model in the adult mouse pancreas that can function as a tool to study mechanisms of tissue remodeling and beta cell proliferation and differentiation. Partial duct ligation (PDL) is an experimentally induced injury of the rodent pancreas involving surgical ligation of the main pancreatic duct resulting in an obstruction of drainage of exocrine products out of the tail region of the pancreas. The inflicted damage induces acinar atrophy, immune cell infiltration and severe tissue remodeling. We have previously reported the activation of Neurogenin (Ngn) 3 expressing endogenous progenitor-like cells and an increase in beta cell proliferation after PDL. Therefore, PDL provides a basis to study signals involved in beta cell dynamics and the properties of an endocrine progenitor in adult pancreas. Since, it still remains largely unclear, which factors and pathways contribute to beta cell neogenesis and proliferation in PDL, a standardized protocol for PDL will allow for comparison across laboratories.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gunter Leuckx
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel
| | | | - Willem Staels
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel
| | - Ying Cai
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel
| | - Yixing Yuchi
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel
| | | | - Nico De Leu
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel
| | - Yves Heremans
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel
| | - Luc Baeyens
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel
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15
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Van Gassen N, Staels W, Van Overmeire E, De Groef S, Sojoodi M, Heremans Y, Leuckx G, Van de Casteele M, Van Ginderachter JA, Heimberg H, De Leu N. Concise Review: Macrophages: Versatile Gatekeepers During Pancreatic β-Cell Development, Injury, and Regeneration. Stem Cells Transl Med 2015; 4:555-63. [PMID: 25848123 DOI: 10.5966/sctm.2014-0272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2014] [Accepted: 02/16/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Macrophages are classically considered detrimental for pancreatic β-cell survival and function, thereby contributing to β-cell failure in both type 1 (T1D) and 2 (T2D) diabetes mellitus. In addition, adipose tissue macrophages negatively influence peripheral insulin signaling and promote obesity-induced insulin resistance in T2D. In contrast, recent data unexpectedly uncovered that macrophages are not only able to protect β cells during pancreatitis but also to orchestrate β-cell proliferation and regeneration after β-cell injury. Moreover, by altering their activation state, macrophages are able to improve insulin resistance in murine models of T2D. This review will elaborate on current insights in macrophage heterogeneity and on the evolving role of pancreas macrophages during organogenesis, tissue injury, and repair. Additional identification of macrophage subtypes and of their secreted factors might ultimately translate into novel therapeutic strategies for both T1D and T2D. SIGNIFICANCE Diabetes mellitus is a pandemic disease, characterized by severe acute and chronic complications. Macrophages have long been considered prime suspects in the pathogenesis of both type 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus. In this concise review, current insights in macrophage heterogeneity and on the, as yet, underappreciated role of alternatively activated macrophages in insulin sensing and β-cell development/repair are reported. Further identification of macrophage subtypes and of their secreted factors might ultimately translate into novel therapeutic strategies for diabetes mellitus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naomi Van Gassen
- Diabetes Research Center and Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium; Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, Ghent University Hospital, and Department of Pediatrics and Genetics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Myeloid Cell Immunology Laboratory, VIB, Brussels, Belgium; Department of Endocrinology, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Willem Staels
- Diabetes Research Center and Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium; Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, Ghent University Hospital, and Department of Pediatrics and Genetics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Myeloid Cell Immunology Laboratory, VIB, Brussels, Belgium; Department of Endocrinology, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Eva Van Overmeire
- Diabetes Research Center and Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium; Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, Ghent University Hospital, and Department of Pediatrics and Genetics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Myeloid Cell Immunology Laboratory, VIB, Brussels, Belgium; Department of Endocrinology, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Sofie De Groef
- Diabetes Research Center and Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium; Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, Ghent University Hospital, and Department of Pediatrics and Genetics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Myeloid Cell Immunology Laboratory, VIB, Brussels, Belgium; Department of Endocrinology, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Mozhdeh Sojoodi
- Diabetes Research Center and Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium; Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, Ghent University Hospital, and Department of Pediatrics and Genetics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Myeloid Cell Immunology Laboratory, VIB, Brussels, Belgium; Department of Endocrinology, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Yves Heremans
- Diabetes Research Center and Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium; Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, Ghent University Hospital, and Department of Pediatrics and Genetics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Myeloid Cell Immunology Laboratory, VIB, Brussels, Belgium; Department of Endocrinology, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Gunter Leuckx
- Diabetes Research Center and Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium; Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, Ghent University Hospital, and Department of Pediatrics and Genetics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Myeloid Cell Immunology Laboratory, VIB, Brussels, Belgium; Department of Endocrinology, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Mark Van de Casteele
- Diabetes Research Center and Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium; Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, Ghent University Hospital, and Department of Pediatrics and Genetics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Myeloid Cell Immunology Laboratory, VIB, Brussels, Belgium; Department of Endocrinology, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jo A Van Ginderachter
- Diabetes Research Center and Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium; Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, Ghent University Hospital, and Department of Pediatrics and Genetics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Myeloid Cell Immunology Laboratory, VIB, Brussels, Belgium; Department of Endocrinology, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Harry Heimberg
- Diabetes Research Center and Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium; Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, Ghent University Hospital, and Department of Pediatrics and Genetics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Myeloid Cell Immunology Laboratory, VIB, Brussels, Belgium; Department of Endocrinology, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Nico De Leu
- Diabetes Research Center and Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium; Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, Ghent University Hospital, and Department of Pediatrics and Genetics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Myeloid Cell Immunology Laboratory, VIB, Brussels, Belgium; Department of Endocrinology, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
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16
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Van Gassen N, Van Overmeire E, Leuckx G, Heremans Y, De Groef S, Cai Y, Elkrim Y, Gysemans C, Stijlemans B, Van de Casteele M, De Baetselier P, De Leu N, Heimberg H, Van Ginderachter JA. Macrophage dynamics are regulated by local macrophage proliferation and monocyte recruitment in injured pancreas. Eur J Immunol 2015; 45:1482-93. [PMID: 25645754 DOI: 10.1002/eji.201445013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2014] [Revised: 01/13/2015] [Accepted: 01/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Pancreas injury by partial duct ligation (PDL) activates a healing response, encompassing β-cell neogenesis and proliferation. Macrophages (MΦs) were recently shown to promote β-cell proliferation after PDL, but they remain poorly characterized. We assessed myeloid cell diversity and the factors driving myeloid cell dynamics following acute pancreas injury by PDL. In naive and sham-operated pancreas, the myeloid cell compartment consisted mainly of two distinct tissue-resident MΦ types, designated MHC-II(lo) and MHC-II(hi) MΦs, the latter being predominant. MHC-II(lo) and MHC-II(hi) pancreas MΦs differed at the molecular level, with MHC-II(lo) MΦs being more M2-activated. After PDL, there was an early surge of Ly6C(hi) monocyte infiltration in the pancreas, followed by a transient MHC-II(lo) MΦ peak and ultimately a restoration of the MHC-II(hi) MΦ-dominated steady-state equilibrium. These intricate MΦ dynamics in PDL pancreas depended on monocyte recruitment by C-C chemokine receptor 2 and macrophage-colony stimulating factor receptor as well as on macrophage-colony stimulating factor receptor-dependent local MΦ proliferation. Functionally, MHC-II(lo) MΦs were more angiogenic. We further demonstrated that, at least in C-C chemokine receptor 2-KO mice, tissue MΦs, rather than Ly6C(hi) monocyte-derived MΦs, contributed to β-cell proliferation. Together, our study fully characterizes the MΦ subsets in the pancreas and clarifies the complex dynamics of MΦs after PDL injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naomi Van Gassen
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Eva Van Overmeire
- Myeloid Cell Immunology Laboratory, VIB, Brussels, Belgium.,Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Gunter Leuckx
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Yves Heremans
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Sofie De Groef
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Ying Cai
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Yvon Elkrim
- Myeloid Cell Immunology Laboratory, VIB, Brussels, Belgium.,Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Conny Gysemans
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Endocrinology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Benoît Stijlemans
- Myeloid Cell Immunology Laboratory, VIB, Brussels, Belgium.,Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | | | - Patrick De Baetselier
- Myeloid Cell Immunology Laboratory, VIB, Brussels, Belgium.,Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Nico De Leu
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Harry Heimberg
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jo A Van Ginderachter
- Myeloid Cell Immunology Laboratory, VIB, Brussels, Belgium.,Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
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17
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Lemper M, Leuckx G, Heremans Y, German MS, Heimberg H, Bouwens L, Baeyens L. Reprogramming of human pancreatic exocrine cells to β-like cells. Cell Death Differ 2014; 22:1117-30. [PMID: 25476775 PMCID: PMC4572860 DOI: 10.1038/cdd.2014.193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2014] [Revised: 09/04/2014] [Accepted: 10/23/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Rodent acinar cells exhibit a remarkable plasticity as they can transdifferentiate to duct-, hepatocyte- and islet β-like cells. We evaluated whether exocrine cells from adult human pancreas can similarly respond to proendocrine stimuli. Exocrine cells from adult human pancreas were transduced directly with lentiviruses expressing activated MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) and STAT3 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 3) and cultured as monolayers or as 3D structures. Expression of STAT3 and MAPK in human exocrine cells activated expression of the proendocrine factor neurogenin 3 in 50% to 80% of transduced exocrine cells. However, the number of insulin-positive cells increased only in the exocrine cells grown initially in suspension before 3D culture. Lineage tracing identified human acinar cells as the source of Ngn3- and insulin-expressing cells. Long-term engraftment into immunocompromised mice increased the efficiency of reprogramming to insulin-positive cells. Our data demonstrate that exocrine cells from human pancreas can be reprogrammed to transplantable insulin-producing cells that acquire functionality. Given the large number of exocrine cells in a donor pancreas, this approach presents a novel strategy to expand cell therapy in type 1 diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Lemper
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - G Leuckx
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Y Heremans
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - M S German
- Diabetes Center, Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143-0669, USA
| | - H Heimberg
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - L Bouwens
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - L Baeyens
- 1] Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium [2] Diabetes Center, Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143-0669, USA
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18
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Van de Casteele M, Leuckx G, Cai Y, Yuchi Y, Coppens V, De Groef S, Van Gassen N, Baeyens L, Heremans Y, Wright CVE, Heimberg H. Partial duct ligation: β-cell proliferation and beyond. Diabetes 2014; 63:2567-77. [PMID: 25060885 DOI: 10.2337/db13-0831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Gunter Leuckx
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Ying Cai
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Yixing Yuchi
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Violette Coppens
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Sofie De Groef
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Naomi Van Gassen
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Luc Baeyens
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Yves Heremans
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Christopher V E Wright
- Vanderbilt University Program in Developmental Biology, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Harry Heimberg
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
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19
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Cai Y, Yuchi Y, De Groef S, Coppens V, Leuckx G, Baeyens L, Van de Casteele M, Heimberg H. IL-6-dependent proliferation of alpha cells in mice with partial pancreatic-duct ligation. Diabetologia 2014; 57:1420-7. [PMID: 24759958 DOI: 10.1007/s00125-014-3242-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2013] [Accepted: 03/27/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
AIMS/HYPOTHESIS IL-6 was recently shown to control alpha cell expansion. As beta cells expand following partial pancreatic-duct ligation (PDL) in adult mice, we investigated whether PDL also causes alpha cells to expand and whether IL-6 signalling is involved. As alpha cells can reprogramme to beta cells in a number of beta cell (re)generation models, we examined whether this phenomenon also exists in PDL pancreas. METHODS Total alpha cell volume, alpha cell size and total glucagon content were evaluated in equivalent portions of PDL- and sham-operated mouse pancreases. Proliferation of glucagon(+) cells was assessed by expression of the proliferation marker Ki67. Inter-conversions between alpha and beta cells were monitored in transgenic mice with conditional cell-type-specific labelling. The role of IL-6 in regulating alpha cell proliferation was evaluated by in situ delivery of an IL-6-inactivating antibody. RESULTS In response to PDL surgery, alpha cell volume in the ligated tissue was increased threefold, glucagon content fivefold and alpha cell size by 10%. Activation of alpha cell proliferation in PDL pancreas required IL-6 signalling. A minor fraction of alpha cells derived from beta cells, whereas no evidence for alpha to beta cell conversion was obtained. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION In PDL-injured adult mouse pancreas, new alpha cells are generated mainly by IL-6-dependent self-duplication and seldom by reprogramming of beta cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Cai
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, B1090, Brussels, Belgium
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20
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Van de Casteele M, Cai Y, Leuckx G, Heimberg H. Mouse beta cell proliferation is inhibited by thymidine analogue labelling. Diabetologia 2013; 56:2647-50. [PMID: 24026213 DOI: 10.1007/s00125-013-3049-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2013] [Accepted: 08/19/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
AIMS/HYPOTHESIS Long-term labelling of mice with halogenated thymidine analogues is an established method for quantifying the contribution of beta cell proliferation to in vivo beta cell mass expansion in (re)generation models. The method is believed to give accurate information on the accrued number of cycling beta cells over a period of time. Multiple thymidine analogue labelling is applied for evaluating the duration of postmitotic quiescence in beta cells. We hypothesise, however, that long-term labelling by thymidine analogues hampers beta cell proliferation. METHODS Thymidine analogues were administered for 7-14 days via the i.p. route to neonatal mice, or via drinking water to young mice with normal pancreases or adult mice with injured pancreases. The proliferation of insulin-positive cells was assessed by their expression of the proliferation markers Ki67 or phosphorylated histone H3 and by their incorporation of nucleotide analogues. RESULTS In the mouse models of beta cell proliferation investigated herein, long-term administration of thymidine analogues decreased the percentage of Ki67(+) and phosphorylated histone H3(+) beta cells as compared with administration of normal drinking water. Proliferation was restored by washout of the analogue. Labelling with one analogue decreased the subsequent incorporation of another analogue by beta cells. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION Long-term labelling with halogenated thymidine analogues is a biased method that underestimates the proliferation and re-division potential of mouse beta cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Van de Casteele
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, B1090, Brussels, Belgium
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21
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Baeyens L, Lemper M, Leuckx G, De Groef S, Bonfanti P, Stangé G, Shemer R, Nord C, Scheel DW, Pan FC, Ahlgren U, Gu G, Stoffers DA, Dor Y, Ferrer J, Gradwohl G, Wright CVE, Van de Casteele M, German MS, Bouwens L, Heimberg H. Transient cytokine treatment induces acinar cell reprogramming and regenerates functional beta cell mass in diabetic mice. Nat Biotechnol 2013; 32:76-83. [PMID: 24240391 DOI: 10.1038/nbt.2747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 152] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2013] [Accepted: 10/15/2013] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Reprogramming of pancreatic exocrine cells into cells resembling beta cells may provide a strategy for treating diabetes. Here we show that transient administration of epidermal growth factor and ciliary neurotrophic factor to adult mice with chronic hyperglycemia efficiently stimulates the conversion of terminally differentiated acinar cells to beta-like cells. Newly generated beta-like cells are epigenetically reprogrammed, functional and glucose responsive, and they reinstate normal glycemic control for up to 248 d. The regenerative process depends on Stat3 signaling and requires a threshold number of Neurogenin 3 (Ngn3)-expressing acinar cells. In contrast to previous work demonstrating in vivo conversion of acinar cells to beta-like cells by viral delivery of exogenous transcription factors, our approach achieves acinar-to-beta-cell reprogramming through transient cytokine exposure rather than genetic modification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luc Baeyens
- 1] Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium. [2] Diabetes Center, California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Marie Lemper
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Gunter Leuckx
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Sofie De Groef
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Paola Bonfanti
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Geert Stangé
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Ruth Shemer
- The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Christoffer Nord
- Umeå Center for Molecular Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - David W Scheel
- Diabetes Center, California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Fong C Pan
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University Program in Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Ulf Ahlgren
- Umeå Center for Molecular Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Guoqiang Gu
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University Program in Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Doris A Stoffers
- Institute for Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Yuval Dor
- The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Jorge Ferrer
- 1] Institut d'Investigacions Biomediques August Pi i Sunyer, Hospital Clinic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain. [2] Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Gerard Gradwohl
- Development and Stem Cells Program, Institute of Genetics and Molecular and Cellular Biology (IGBMC), Illkirch, France
| | - Christopher V E Wright
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University Program in Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | | | - Michael S German
- Diabetes Center, California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Luc Bouwens
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Harry Heimberg
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
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22
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Courtney M, Gjernes E, Druelle N, Ravaud C, Vieira A, Ben-Othman N, Pfeifer A, Avolio F, Leuckx G, Lacas-Gervais S, Burel-Vandenbos F, Ambrosetti D, Hecksher-Sorensen J, Ravassard P, Heimberg H, Mansouri A, Collombat P. The inactivation of Arx in pancreatic α-cells triggers their neogenesis and conversion into functional β-like cells. PLoS Genet 2013; 9:e1003934. [PMID: 24204325 PMCID: PMC3814322 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1003934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 189] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2013] [Accepted: 09/17/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Recently, it was demonstrated that pancreatic new-born glucagon-producing cells can regenerate and convert into insulin-producing β-like cells through the ectopic expression of a single gene, Pax4. Here, combining conditional loss-of-function and lineage tracing approaches, we show that the selective inhibition of the Arx gene in α-cells is sufficient to promote the conversion of adult α-cells into β-like cells at any age. Interestingly, this conversion induces the continuous mobilization of duct-lining precursor cells to adopt an endocrine cell fate, the glucagon+ cells thereby generated being subsequently converted into β-like cells upon Arx inhibition. Of interest, through the generation and analysis of Arx and Pax4 conditional double-mutants, we provide evidence that Pax4 is dispensable for these regeneration processes, indicating that Arx represents the main trigger of α-cell-mediated β-like cell neogenesis. Importantly, the loss of Arx in α-cells is sufficient to regenerate a functional β-cell mass and thereby reverse diabetes following toxin-induced β-cell depletion. Our data therefore suggest that strategies aiming at inhibiting the expression of Arx, or its molecular targets/co-factors, may pave new avenues for the treatment of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is a condition that results from the loss of insulin-producing β-cells. Despite current therapies, diabetic patients are prone to vascular complications. Using the mouse as a model, we previously found that pancreatic glucagon-expressing cells can be regenerated and converted into β-like cells by the forced expression of a single gene, Pax4. Here, we generated transgenic mice allowing both the permanent labeling of α-cells and the inactivation of Arx solely in this cell subtype. Our results indicate that, upon Arx inactivation, α-cells can be continuously regenerated from duct-lining precursors and converted into β-like cells. Importantly, the additional loss of Pax4 does not impact these processes, suggesting that Arx is the main trigger of α-cell-mediated β-like cell neogenesis. Most interestingly, upon chemical induction of diabetes/β-cell loss, while control animals die or remain severely hyperglycemic, a normalization of the glycemia, a clear regeneration of the β-like cell mass, and an extended lifespan are noted in animals with the conditional inactivation of Arx. Our data therefore suggest that strategies aiming at inhibiting the expression of Arx, or its molecular targets/co-factors, may pave new avenues for the treatment of diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Courtney
- Université de Nice Sophia Antipolis, iBV, UMR 7277, Nice, France ; Inserm, iBV, U1091, Nice, France ; CNRS, iBV, UMR 7277, Nice, France
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23
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Coppens V, Heremans Y, Leuckx G, Suenens K, Jacobs-Tulleneers-Thevissen D, Verdonck K, Luttun A, Heimberg H, De Leu N. Reversal of hyperglycemia in diabetic mice by a marginal islet mass together with human blood outgrowth endothelial cells is independent of the delivery technique and blood clot-induced processes. Islets 2013; 5:196-200. [PMID: 24213480 PMCID: PMC4010571 DOI: 10.4161/isl.26778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
We recently reported that human blood outgrowth endothelial cells (BOEC) are supportive to reverse hyperglycemia in marginal islet mass-transplanted diabetic mice. In this report, we investigated whether the observed effect was evoked by islet packing in a blood clot prior to transplantation or could be mimicked by another method of islet/cell delivery. A marginal islet mass with or without BOEC was grafted underneath the kidney capsule of diabetic recipient mice via a (blood clot-independent) tubing system and compared with previous islet packing in a blood clot. The effect on metabolic outcome of both delivery techniques as well as the additive effect of BOEC was subsequently evaluated. Marginal islet mass transplantation via a tubing system required more islets per recipient than via a blood clot. Using the tubing method, transplantation of a marginal islet mass combined with 5x10 (5) BOEC resulted in reversal of hyperglycemia, improved glucose tolerance and increased kidney insulin content. The present study provides evidence that (1) previous packing in a blood clot results in more effective islet delivery compared with tubing; (2) BOEC exert a beneficial effect on marginal islet transplantation, independent of grafting technique and potential blood clot-induced processes. These data further support the use of BOEC in (pre-) clinical studies that aim to improve current islet transplantation protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Violette Coppens
- Diabetes Research Center; Vrije Universiteit Brussel; Brussels, Belgium
| | - Yves Heremans
- Diabetes Research Center; Vrije Universiteit Brussel; Brussels, Belgium
| | - Gunter Leuckx
- Diabetes Research Center; Vrije Universiteit Brussel; Brussels, Belgium
| | - Krista Suenens
- Diabetes Research Center; Vrije Universiteit Brussel; Brussels, Belgium
| | | | - Kristoff Verdonck
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences; Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology; KU Leuven; Leuven, Belgium
| | - Aernout Luttun
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences; Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology; KU Leuven; Leuven, Belgium
| | - Harry Heimberg
- Diabetes Research Center; Vrije Universiteit Brussel; Brussels, Belgium
| | - Nico De Leu
- Diabetes Research Center; Vrije Universiteit Brussel; Brussels, Belgium
- Correspondence to: Nico De Leu,
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24
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Al-Hasani K, Pfeifer A, Courtney M, Ben-Othman N, Gjernes E, Vieira A, Druelle N, Avolio F, Ravassard P, Leuckx G, Lacas-Gervais S, Ambrosetti D, Benizri E, Hecksher-Sorensen J, Gounon P, Ferrer J, Gradwohl G, Heimberg H, Mansouri A, Collombat P. Adult duct-lining cells can reprogram into β-like cells able to counter repeated cycles of toxin-induced diabetes. Dev Cell 2013; 26:86-100. [PMID: 23810513 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2013.05.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 150] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2012] [Revised: 04/16/2013] [Accepted: 05/21/2013] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
It was recently demonstrated that embryonic glucagon-producing cells in the pancreas can regenerate and convert into insulin-producing β-like cells through the constitutive/ectopic expression of the Pax4 gene. However, whether α cells in adult mice display the same plasticity is unknown. Similarly, the mechanisms underlying such reprogramming remain unclear. We now demonstrate that the misexpression of Pax4 in glucagon(+) cells age-independently induces their conversion into β-like cells and their glucagon shortage-mediated replacement, resulting in islet hypertrophy and in an unexpected islet neogenesis. Combining several lineage-tracing approaches, we show that, upon Pax4-mediated α-to-β-like cell conversion, pancreatic duct-lining precursor cells are continuously mobilized, re-express the developmental gene Ngn3, and successively adopt a glucagon(+) and a β-like cell identity through a mechanism involving the reawakening of the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Importantly, these processes can repeatedly regenerate the whole β cell mass and thereby reverse several rounds of toxin-induced diabetes, providing perspectives to design therapeutic regenerative strategies.
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25
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Coppens V, Heremans Y, Leuckx G, Suenens K, Jacobs-Tulleneers-Thevissen D, Verdonck K, Lahoutte T, Luttun A, Heimberg H, De Leu N. Human blood outgrowth endothelial cells improve islet survival and function when co-transplanted in a mouse model of diabetes. Diabetologia 2013; 56:382-90. [PMID: 23090187 DOI: 10.1007/s00125-012-2754-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2012] [Accepted: 09/20/2012] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
AIMS/HYPOTHESIS As current islet-transplantation protocols suffer from significant graft loss and dysfunction, strategies to sustain the long-term benefits of this therapy are required. Rapid and adequate oxygen and nutrient delivery by blood vessels improves islet engraftment and function. The present report evaluated a potentially beneficial effect of adult human blood outgrowth endothelial cells (BOEC) on islet graft vascularisation and function. METHODS Human BOEC, 5 × 10(5), were co-transplanted with a rat marginal-islet graft under the kidney capsule of hyperglycaemic NOD severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice, and the effect on metabolic outcome was evaluated. RESULTS Although vessel density remained unaffected, co-transplantation of islets with BOEC resulted in a significant and specific improvement of glycaemia and increased plasma C-peptide. Moreover, in contrast to control mice, BOEC recipients displayed reduced beta cell death and increases in body weight, beta cell proliferation and graft-vessel and beta cell volume. In vivo cell tracing demonstrated that BOEC remain at the site of transplantation and do not expand. The potential clinical applicability was underscored by the observed metabolic benefit of co-transplanting islets with BOEC derived from a type 1 diabetes patient. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION The present data support the use of autologous BOEC in translational studies that aim to improve current islet-transplantation protocols for the treatment of brittle type 1 diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Coppens
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, Brussels, Belgium
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Grouwels G, Vasylovska S, Olerud J, Leuckx G, Ngamjariyawat A, Yuchi Y, Jansson L, Van de Casteele M, Kozlova EN, Heimberg H. Differentiating neural crest stem cells induce proliferation of cultured rodent islet beta cells. Diabetologia 2012; 55:2016-25. [PMID: 22618811 DOI: 10.1007/s00125-012-2542-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2011] [Accepted: 02/22/2012] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
AIMS/HYPOTHESIS Efficient stimulation of cycling activity in cultured beta cells would allow the design of new strategies for cell therapy in diabetes. Neural crest stem cells (NCSCs) play a role in beta cell development and maturation and increase the beta cell number in co-transplants. The mechanism behind NCSC-induced beta cell proliferation and the functional capacity of the new beta cells is not known. METHODS We developed a new in vitro co-culture system that enables the dissection of the elements that control the cellular interactions that lead to NCSC-dependent increase in islet beta cells. RESULTS Mouse NCSCs were cultured in vitro, first in medium that stimulated their proliferation, then under conditions that supported their differentiation. When mouse islet cells were cultured together with the NCSCs, more than 35% of the beta cells showed cycle activity. This labelling index is more than tenfold higher than control islets cultured without NCSCs. Beta cells that proliferated under these culture conditions were fully glucose responsive in terms of insulin secretion. NCSCs also induced beta cell proliferation in islets isolated from 1-year-old mice, but not in dissociated islet cells isolated from human donor pancreas tissue. To stimulate beta cell proliferation, NCSCs need to be in intimate contact with the beta cells. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION Culture of islet cells in contact with NCSCs induces highly efficient beta cell proliferation. The reported culture system is an excellent platform for further dissection of the minimal set of factors needed to drive this process and explore its potential for translation to diabetes therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Grouwels
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, B1090 Brussels, Belgium
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27
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Grouwels G, Cai Y, Hoebeke I, Leuckx G, Heremans Y, Ziebold U, Stangé G, Chintinne M, Ling Z, Pipeleers D, Heimberg H, Van de Casteele M. Ectopic expression of E2F1 stimulates beta-cell proliferation and function. Diabetes 2010; 59:1435-44. [PMID: 20299467 PMCID: PMC2874704 DOI: 10.2337/db09-1295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Generating functional beta-cells by inducing their proliferation may provide new perspectives for cell therapy in diabetes. Transcription factor E2F1 controls G(1)- to S-phase transition during the cycling of many cell types and is required for pancreatic beta-cell growth and function. However, the consequences of overexpression of E2F1 in beta-cells are unknown. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS The effects of E2F1 overexpression on beta-cell proliferation and function were analyzed in isolated rat beta-cells and in transgenic mice. RESULTS Adenovirus AdE2F1-mediated overexpression of E2F1 increased the proliferation of isolated primary rat beta-cells 20-fold but also enhanced beta-cell death. Coinfection with adenovirus AdAkt expressing a constitutively active form of Akt (protein kinase B) suppressed beta-cell death to control levels. At 48 h after infection, the total beta-cell number and insulin content were, respectively, 46 and 79% higher in AdE2F1+AdAkt-infected cultures compared with untreated. Conditional overexpression of E2F1 in mice resulted in a twofold increase of beta-cell proliferation and a 70% increase of pancreatic insulin content, but did not increase beta-cell mass. Glucose-challenged insulin release was increased, and the mice showed protection against toxin-induced diabetes. CONCLUSIONS Overexpression of E2F1, either in vitro or in vivo, can stimulate beta-cell proliferation activity. In vivo E2F1 expression significantly increases the insulin content and function of adult beta-cells, making it a strategic target for therapeutic manipulation of beta-cell function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gael Grouwels
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium; and
| | - Ying Cai
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium; and
| | - Inge Hoebeke
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium; and
| | - Gunter Leuckx
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium; and
| | - Yves Heremans
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium; and
| | - Ulrike Ziebold
- Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | - Geert Stangé
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium; and
| | - Marie Chintinne
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium; and
| | - Zhidong Ling
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium; and
| | - Daniel Pipeleers
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium; and
| | - Harry Heimberg
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium; and
- Corresponding author: Harry Heimberg,
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