Induction of nuclear factor-kappaB and its downstream genes by TNF-alpha and IL-1beta has a pro-apoptotic role in pancreatic beta cells.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: IL-1beta and TNF-alpha contribute to pancreatic beta cell death in type 1 diabetes. Both cytokines activate the transcription factor nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB), but recent observations suggest that NF-kappaB blockade prevents IL-1beta + IFN-gamma- but not TNF-alpha + IFN-gamma-induced beta cell apoptosis. The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of IL-1beta and TNF-alpha on cell death and the pattern of NF-kappaB activation and global gene expression in beta cells. METHODS: Cell viability was measured after exposure to IL-1beta or to TNF-alpha alone or in combination with IFN-gamma, and blockade of NF-kappaB activation or protein synthesis. INS-1E cells exposed to IL-1beta or TNF-alpha in time course experiments were used for IkappaB kinase (IKK) activation assay, detection of p65 NF-kappaB by immunocytochemistry, real-time RT-PCR and microarray analysis. RESULTS: Blocking NF-kappaB activation protected beta cells against IL-1beta + IFNgamma- or TNFalpha + IFNgamma-induced apoptosis. Blocking de novo protein synthesis did not increase TNF-alpha- or IL-1beta-induced beta cell death, in line with the observations that cytokines induced the expression of the anti-apoptotic genes A20, Iap-2 and Xiap to a similar extent. Microarray analysis of INS-1E cells treated with IL-1beta or TNF-alpha showed similar patterns of gene expression. IL-1beta, however, induced a higher rate of expression of NF-kappaB target genes putatively involved in beta cell dysfunction and death and a stronger activation of the IKK complex, leading to an earlier translocation of NF-kappaB to the nucleus. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: NF-kappaB activation in beta cells has a pro-apoptotic role following exposure not only to IL-1beta but also to TNF-alpha. The more marked beta cell death induced by IL-1beta is explained at least in part by higher intensity NF-kappaB activation, leading to increased transcription of key target genes.

Global profiling of genes modified by endoplasmic reticulum stress in pancreatic beta cells reveals the early degradation of insulin mRNAs.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Pancreatic beta cells respond to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress by activating the unfolded protein response. If the stress is prolonged, or the adaptive response fails, apoptosis is triggered. We used a 'homemade' microarray specifically designed for the study of beta cell apoptosis (the APOCHIP) to uncover mechanisms regulating beta cell responses to ER stress. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A time course viability and microarray analysis was performed in insulin-producing INS-1E cells exposed to the reversible ER stress inducer cyclopiazonic acid (CPA). Modification of selected genes was confirmed by real-time RT-PCR, and the observed inhibition of expression of the insulin-1 (Ins1) and insulin-2 (Ins2) genes was further characterised in primary beta cells exposed to a diverse range of agents that induce ER stress. RESULTS: CPA-induced ER stress modified the expression of 183 genes at one or more of the time points studied. The expression of most of these genes returned to control levels after a 3 h recovery period following CPA removal, with all cells surviving. Two groups of genes were particularly affected by CPA, namely, those related to cellular responses to ER stress, which were mostly upregulated, and those related to differentiated beta cell functions, which were downregulated. Levels of Ins1 and Ins2 mRNAs were severely decreased in response to CPA treatment as a result of degradation, and there was a concomitant increase in the level of IRE1 activation. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: In this study we provide the first global analysis of beta cell molecular responses to a severe ER stress, and identify the early degradation of mRNA transcripts of the insulin genes as an important component of this response.