Integrating genetics with single-cell multiomic measurements across disease states identifies mechanisms of beta cell dysfunction in type 2 diabetes.

Dysfunctional pancreatic islet beta cells are a hallmark of type 2 diabetes (T2D), but a comprehensive understanding of the underlying mechanisms, including gene dysregulation, is lacking. Here we integrate information from measurements of chromatin accessibility, gene expression and function in single beta cells with genetic association data to nominate disease-causal gene regulatory changes in T2D. Using machine learning on chromatin accessibility data from 34 nondiabetic, pre-T2D and T2D donors, we identify two transcriptionally and functionally distinct beta cell subtypes that undergo an abundance shift during T2D progression. Subtype-defining accessible chromatin is enriched for T2D risk variants, suggesting a causal contribution of subtype identity to T2D. Both beta cell subtypes exhibit activation of a stress-response transcriptional program and functional impairment in T2D, which is probably induced by the T2D-associated metabolic environment. Our findings demonstrate the power of multimodal single-cell measurements combined with machine learning for characterizing mechanisms of complex diseases.

Integration of single-cell multiomic measurements across disease states with genetics identifies mechanisms of beta cell dysfunction in type 2 diabetes.

Altered function and gene regulation of pancreatic islet beta cells is a hallmark of type 2 diabetes (T2D), but a comprehensive understanding of mechanisms driving T2D is still missing. Here we integrate information from measurements of chromatin activity, gene expression and function in single beta cells with genetic association data to identify disease-causal gene regulatory changes in T2D. Using machine learning on chromatin accessibility data from 34 non-diabetic, pre-T2D and T2D donors, we robustly identify two transcriptionally and functionally distinct beta cell subtypes that undergo an abundance shift in T2D. Subtype-defining active chromatin is enriched for T2D risk variants, suggesting a causal contribution of subtype identity to T2D. Both subtypes exhibit activation of a stress-response transcriptional program and functional impairment in T2D, which is likely induced by the T2D-associated metabolic environment. Our findings demonstrate the power of multimodal single-cell measurements combined with machine learning for identifying mechanisms of complex diseases.

Biodistribution of Intra-Arterial and Intravenous Delivery of Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles in a Rat Model to Guide Delivery Strategies for Diabetes Therapies.

Umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles (UC-MSC-EVs) have become an emerging strategy for treating various autoimmune and metabolic disorders, particularly diabetes. Delivery of UC-MSC-EVs is essential to ensure optimal efficacy of UC-MSC-EVs. To develop safe and superior EVs-based delivery strategies, we explored nuclear techniques including positron emission tomography (PET) to evaluate the delivery of UC-MSC-EVs in vivo. In this study, human UC-MSC-EVs were first successfully tagged with I-124 to permit PET determination. Intravenous (I.V.) and intra-arterial (I.A.) administration routes of [124I]I-UC-MSC-EVs were compared and evaluated by in vivo PET-CT imaging and ex vivo biodistribution in a non-diabetic Lewis (LEW) rat model. For I.A. administration, [124I]I-UC-MSC-EVs were directly infused into the pancreatic parenchyma via the celiac artery. PET imaging revealed that the predominant uptake occurred in the liver for both injection routes, and further imaging characterized clearance patterns of [124I]I-UC-MSC-EVs. For biodistribution, the uptake (%ID/gram) in the spleen was significantly higher for I.V. administration compared to I.A. administration (1.95 ± 0.03 and 0.43 ± 0.07, respectively). Importantly, the pancreas displayed similar uptake levels between the two modalities (0.20 ± 0.06 for I.V. and 0.24 ± 0.03 for I.A.). Therefore, our initial data revealed that both routes had similar delivery efficiency for [124I]I-UC-MSC-EVs except in the spleen and liver, considering that higher spleen uptake could enhance immunomodulatory application of UC-MSC-EVs. These findings could guide the development of safe and efficacious delivery strategies for UC-MSC-EVs in diabetes therapies, in which a minimally invasive I.V. approach would serve as a better delivery strategy. Further confirmation studies are ongoing.

Insulin promotes proliferation and fibrosing responses in activated pancreatic stellate cells.

Epidemiological studies support strong links between obesity, diabetes, and pancreatic disorders including pancreatitis and pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is associated with insulin resistance, hyperglycemia, and hyperinsulinemia, the latter due to increased insulin secretion by pancreatic beta-cells. We reported that high-fat diet-induced PDAC progression in mice is associated with hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, and activation of pancreatic stellate cells (PaSC). We investigated here the effects of high concentrations of insulin and glucose on mouse and human PaSC growth and fibrosing responses. We found that compared with normal, pancreata from T2DM patients displayed extensive collagen deposition and activated PaSC in islet and peri-islet exocrine pancreas. Mice fed a high-fat diet for up to 12 mo similarly displayed increasing peri-islet fibrosis compared with mice fed control diet. Both quiescent and activated PaSC coexpress insulin (IR; mainly A type) and IGF (IGF-1R) receptors, and both insulin and glucose modulate receptor expression. In cultured PaSC, insulin induced rapid tyrosine autophosphorylation of IR/IGF-1R at specific kinase domain activation loop sites, activated Akt/mTOR/p70S6K signaling, and inactivated FoxO1, a transcription factor that restrains cell growth. Insulin did not promote activation of quiescent PaSC in either 5 mM or 25 mM glucose containing media. However, in activated PaSC, insulin enhanced cell proliferation and augmented production of extracellular matrix proteins, and these effects were abolished by specific inhibition of mTORC1 and mTORC2. In conclusion, our data support the concept that increased local glucose and insulin concentrations associated with obesity and T2DM promote PaSC growth and fibrosing responses.

The effect of insulin feedback on closed loop glucose control.

CONTEXT: Initial studies of closed-loop proportional integral derivative control in individuals with type 1 diabetes showed good overnight performance, but with breakfast meal being the hardest to control and requiring supplemental carbohydrate to prevent hypoglycemia. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the ability of insulin feedback to improve the breakfast-meal profile. DESIGN AND SETTING: We performed a single center study with closed-loop control over approximately 30 h at an inpatient clinical research facility. PATIENTS: Eight adult subjects with previously diagnosed type 1 diabetes participated. INTERVENTION: Subjects received closed-loop insulin delivery with supplemental carbohydrate as needed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Outcome measures were plasma insulin concentration, model-predicted plasma insulin concentration, 2-h postprandial and 3- to 4-h glucose rate-of-change following breakfast after 1 d of closed-loop control, and the need for supplemental carbohydrate in response to nadir hypoglycemia. RESULTS: Plasma insulin levels during closed loop were well correlated with model predictions (R = 0.86). Fasting glucose after 1 d of closed loop was not different from nighttime target (118 ± 9 vs. 110 mg/dl; P = 0.38). Two-hour postbreakfast glucose was 132 ± 16 mg/dl with stable values 3-4 h after the meal (0.03792 ± 0.0884 mg/dl · min, not different from 0; P = 0.68) and at target (97 ± 6 mg/dl, not different from 90; P = 0.28). Three subjects required supplemental carbohydrates after breakfast on d 2 of closed loop. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: Insulin feedback can be implemented using a model estimate of concentration. Proportional integral derivative control with insulin feedback can achieve a desired breakfast response but still requires supplemental carbohydrate to be delivered in some instances. Studies assessing more optimal control configurations and safeguards need to be conducted.

Adenovirus 36 DNA in adipose tissue of patient with unusual visceral obesity.

Massive adipose tissue depositions in the abdomen and thorax sufficient to interfere with respiration developed in a patient with multiple medical problems. Biopsy of adipose tissue identified human adenovirus 36 (Adv 36) DNA. Adv 36 causes adipogenesis in animals and humans. Development of massive lipomatosis may be caused by Adv 36.

Scrotal cooling increases rectal temperature in man.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of scrotal cooling on rectal temperature in man. Pilot studies suggested that immersing the scrotum in a 30 degrees C water bath increased rectal temperature, but immersing the scrotum in a 0 degree C water bath did not. Six healthy young men immersed their scrotums in a 35 degrees C water bath for 11 min followed by 21 min at 30 degrees C. Rectal temperature rose by 0.38 +/- 0.04 degrees C (P < 0.01) in response to the 30 degrees C water bath. Repetition of the study by immersing the hands instead of the scrotum in the water bath had no effect on rectal temperature. The scrotum appears to play a role in human temperature regulation.