Aberrant TGF-ß1 signaling activation by MAF underlies pathological lens growth in high myopia.

High myopia is a leading cause of blindness worldwide. Myopia progression may lead to pathological changes of lens and affect the outcome of lens surgery, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Here, we find an increased lens size in highly myopic eyes associated with up-regulation of ß/γ-crystallin expressions. Similar findings are replicated in two independent mouse models of high myopia. Mechanistic studies show that the transcription factor MAF plays an essential role in up-regulating ß/γ-crystallins in high myopia, by direct activation of the crystallin gene promoters and by activation of TGF-ß1-Smad signaling. Our results establish lens morphological and molecular changes as a characteristic feature of high myopia, and point to the dysregulation of the MAF-TGF-ß1-crystallin axis as an underlying mechanism, providing an insight for therapeutic interventions.

MAFB and MAF Transcription Factors as Macrophage Checkpoints for COVID-19 Severity.

Defective IFN production and exacerbated inflammatory and pro-fibrotic responses are hallmarks of SARS-CoV-2 infection in severe COVID-19. Based on these hallmarks, and considering the pivotal role of macrophages in COVID-19 pathogenesis, we hypothesize that the transcription factors MAFB and MAF critically contribute to COVID-19 progression by shaping the response of macrophages to SARS-CoV-2. Our proposal stems from the recent identification of pathogenic lung macrophage subsets in severe COVID-19, and takes into consideration the previously reported ability of MAFB to dampen IFN type I production, as well as the critical role of MAFB and MAF in the acquisition and maintenance of the transcriptional signature of M-CSF-conditioned human macrophages. Solid evidences are presented that link overexpression of MAFB and silencing of MAF expression with clinical and biological features of severe COVID-19. As a whole, we propose that a high MAFB/MAF expression ratio in lung macrophages could serve as an accurate diagnostic tool for COVID-19 progression. Indeed, reversing the macrophage MAFB/MAF expression ratio might impair the exacerbated inflammatory and profibrotic responses, and restore the defective IFN type I production, thus becoming a potential strategy to limit severity of COVID-19.

Chicken lens development: complete signature of expression of galectins during embryogenesis and evidence for their complex formation with α-, ß-, δ-, and τ-crystallins, N-CAM, and N-cadherin obtained by affinity chromatography.

The emerging multifunctionality of galectins by specific protein-glycan/protein interactions explains the interest to determine their expression during embryogenesis. Complete network analysis of all seven chicken galectins (CGs) is presented in the course of differentiation of eye lens that originates from a single type of progenitor cell. It answers the questions on levels of expression and individual patterns of distribution. A qualitative difference occurs in the CG-1A/B paralogue pair, underscoring conspicuous divergence. Considering different cell phenotypes, lens fiber and also epithelial cells can both express the same CG, with developmental upregulation for CG-3 and CG-8. Except for expression of the lens-specific CG (C-GRIFIN), no other CG appeared to be controlled by the transcription factors L-Maf and Pax6. Studying presence and nature of binding partners for CGs, we tested labeled galectins in histochemistry and in ligand blotting. Mass spectrometric (glyco)protein identification after affinity chromatography prominently yielded four types of crystallins, N-CAM, and, in the cases of CG-3 and CG-8, N-cadherin. Should such pairing be functional in situ, it may be involved in tightly packing intracellular lens proteins and forming membrane contact as well as in gaining plasticity and stability of adhesion processes. The expression of CGs throughout embryogenesis is postulated to give meaning to spatiotemporal alterations in the local glycome.

IL-27 promotes NK cell effector functions via Maf-Nrf2 pathway during influenza infection.

Influenza virus targets epithelial cells in the upper respiratory tract. Natural Killer (NK) cell-mediated early innate defense responses to influenza infection include the killing of infected epithelial cells and generation of anti-viral cytokines including interferon gamma (IFN-γ). To date, it is unclear how the underlying cytokine milieu during infection regulates NK cell effector functions. Our data show during influenza infection myeloid cell-derived IL-27 regulates the early-phase effector functions of NK cells in the bronchioalveolar and lung tissue. Lack of IL-27R (Il27ra-/-) or IL-27 (Ebi3-/-) resulted in impaired NK cell effector functions including the generation of anti-viral IFN-γ responses. We identify CD27+CD11b+ NK cells as the primary subset that expresses IL-27R, which predominantly produces IFN-γ within the upper respiratory tract of the infected mice. IL-27 alone was incapable of altering the effector functions of NK cells. However, IL-27 sensitizes NK cells to augment both in vitro and in vivo responses mediated via the NKG2D receptor. This 'priming' function of IL-27 is mediated partly via transcriptional pathways regulated by Mafs and Nrf2 transcriptionally regulating TFAM and CPT1. Our data for the first time establishes a novel role for IL-27 in regulating early-phase effector functions of NK cells during influenza infection.

A dynamic and integrated epigenetic program at distal regions orchestrates transcriptional responses to VEGFA.

Cell behaviors are dictated by epigenetic and transcriptional programs. Little is known about how extracellular stimuli modulate these programs to reshape gene expression and control cell behavioral responses. Here, we interrogated the epigenetic and transcriptional response of endothelial cells to VEGFA treatment and found rapid chromatin changes that mediate broad transcriptomic alterations. VEGFA-responsive genes were associated with active promoters, but changes in promoter histone marks were not tightly linked to gene expression changes. VEGFA altered transcription factor occupancy and the distal epigenetic landscape, which profoundly contributed to VEGFA-dependent changes in gene expression. Integration of gene expression, dynamic enhancer, and transcription factor occupancy changes induced by VEGFA yielded a VEGFA-regulated transcriptional regulatory network, which revealed that the small MAF transcription factors are master regulators of the VEGFA transcriptional program and angiogenesis. Collectively these results revealed that extracellular stimuli rapidly reconfigure the chromatin landscape to coordinately regulate biological responses.

The KEAP1-NRF2 System: a Thiol-Based Sensor-Effector Apparatus for Maintaining Redox Homeostasis.

The Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1-NF-E2-related factor 2 (KEAP1-NRF2) system forms the major node of cellular and organismal defense against oxidative and electrophilic stresses of both exogenous and endogenous origins. KEAP1 acts as a cysteine thiol-rich sensor of redox insults, whereas NRF2 is a transcription factor that robustly transduces chemical signals to regulate a battery of cytoprotective genes. KEAP1 represses NRF2 activity under quiescent conditions, whereas NRF2 is liberated from KEAP1-mediated repression on exposure to stresses. The rapid inducibility of a response based on a derepression mechanism is an important feature of the KEAP1-NRF2 system. Recent studies have unveiled the complexities of the functional contributions of the KEAP1-NRF2 system and defined its broader involvement in biological processes, including cell proliferation and differentiation, as well as cytoprotection. In this review, we describe historical milestones in the initial characterization of the KEAP1-NRF2 system and provide a comprehensive overview of the molecular mechanisms governing the functions of KEAP1 and NRF2, as well as their roles in physiology and pathology. We also refer to the clinical significance of the KEAP1-NRF2 system as an important prophylactic and therapeutic target for various diseases, particularly aging-related disorders. We believe that controlled harnessing of the KEAP1-NRF2 system is a key to healthy aging and well-being in humans.

The transcription factor Maf-S regulates metabolic resistance to insecticides in the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae.

BACKGROUND: Malaria control in Africa is dependent upon the use insecticides but intensive use of a limited number of chemicals has led to resistance in mosquito populations. Increased production of enzymes that detoxify insecticides is one of the most potent resistance mechanisms. Several metabolic enzymes have been implicated in insecticide resistance but the processes controlling their expression have remained largely elusive. RESULTS: Here, we show that the transcription factor Maf-S regulates expression of multiple detoxification genes, including the key insecticide metabolisers CYP6M2 and GSTD1 in the African malaria vector Anopheles gambiae. Attenuation of this transcription factor through RNAi induced knockdown reduced transcript levels of these effectors and significantly increased mortality after exposure to the pyrethroid insecticides and DDT (permethrin: 9.2% to 19.2% (p = 0.015), deltamethrin: 3.9% to 21.6% (p = 0.036) and DDT: 1% to 11.7% (p = <0.01), whilst dramatically decreasing mortality induced by the organophosphate malathion (79.6% to 8.0% (p = <0.01)). Additional genes regulated by Maf-S were also identified providing new insight into the role of this transcription factor in insects. CONCLUSION: Maf-S is a key regulator of detoxification genes in Anopheles mosquitoes. Disrupting this transcription factor has opposing effects on the mosquito's response to different insecticide classes providing a mechanistic explanation to the negative cross resistance that has been reported between pyrethroids and organophosphates.

Maf1 is a negative regulator of transcription in Trypanosoma brucei.

RNA polymerase III (Pol III) produces small RNA molecules that play essential roles in mRNA processing and translation. Maf1, originally described as a negative regulator of Pol III transcription, has been studied from yeast to human. Here we characterized Maf1 in the parasitic protozoa Trypanosoma brucei (TbMaf1), representing the first report to analyse Maf1 in an early-diverged eukaryote. While Maf1 is generally encoded by a single-copy gene, the T. brucei genome contains two almost identical TbMaf1 genes. The TbMaf1 protein has the three conserved sequences and is predicted to fold into a globular structure. Unlike in yeast, TbMaf1 localizes to the nucleus in procyclic forms of T. brucei under normal growth conditions. Cell lines that either downregulate or overexpress TbMaf1 were generated, and growth curve analysis with them suggested that TbMaf1 participates in the regulation of cell growth of T. brucei. Nuclear run-on and chromatin immunoprecipitation analyses demonstrated that TbMaf1 represses Pol III transcription of tRNA and U2 snRNA genes by associating with their promoters. Interestingly, 5S rRNA levels do not change after TbMaf1 ablation or overexpression. Notably, our data also revealed that TbMaf1 regulates Pol I transcription of procyclin gene and Pol II transcription of SL RNA genes.

MafA is critical for maintenance of the mature beta cell phenotype in mice.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: The plasticity of adult somatic cells allows for their dedifferentiation or conversion to different cell types, although the relevance of this to disease remains elusive. Perturbation of beta cell identity leading to dedifferentiation may be implicated in the compromised functions of beta cells in diabetes, which is a current topic of islet research. This study aims to investigate whether or not v-Maf musculoaponeurotic fibrosarcoma oncogene family, protein A (MafA), a mature beta cell marker, is involved in maintaining mature beta cell phenotypes. METHODS: The fate and gene expression of beta cells were analysed in Mafa knockout (KO) mice and mouse models of diabetes in which the expression of MafA was reduced in the majority of beta cells. RESULTS: Loss of MafA reduced the beta to alpha cell ratio in pancreatic islets without elevating blood glucose to diabetic levels. Lineage tracing analyses showed reduced/lost expression of insulin in most beta cells, with a minority of the former beta cells converted to glucagon-expressing cells in Mafa KO mice. The upregulation of genes that are normally repressed in mature beta cells or transcription factors that are transiently expressed in endocrine progenitors was identified in Mafa KO islets as a hallmark of dedifferentiation. The compromised beta cells in db/db and multiple low-dose streptozotocin mice underwent similar dedifferentiation with expression of Mafb, which is expressed in immature beta cells. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: The maturation factor MafA is critical for the homeostasis of mature beta cells and regulates cell plasticity. The loss of MafA in beta cells leads to a deeper loss of cell identity, which is implicated in diabetes pathology.

Nrf2 reduces levels of phosphorylated tau protein by inducing autophagy adaptor protein NDP52.

Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a pivotal transcription factor in the defence against oxidative stress. Here we provide evidence that activation of the Nrf2 pathway reduces the levels of phosphorylated tau by induction of an autophagy adaptor protein NDP52 (also known as CALCOCO2) in neurons. The expression of NDP52, which we show has three antioxidant response elements (AREs) in its promoter region, is strongly induced by Nrf2, and its overexpression facilitates clearance of phosphorylated tau in the presence of an autophagy stimulator. In Nrf2-knockout mice, phosphorylated and sarkosyl-insoluble tau accumulates in the brains concurrent with decreased levels of NDP52. Moreover, NDP52 associates with phosphorylated tau from brain cortical samples of Alzheimer disease cases, and the amount of phosphorylated tau in sarkosyl-insoluble fractions is inversely proportional to that of NDP52. These results suggest that NDP52 plays a key role in autophagy-mediated degradation of phosphorylated tau in vivo.

Nrf2/Maf-binding-site-containing functional Cyp6a2 allele is associated with DDT resistance in Drosophila melanogaster.

BACKGROUND: Increased insecticide detoxification mediated by cytochrome P450s is a common mechanism of insecticide resistance. Although Cyp6a2 has been observed to be overexpressed in many 4,4'-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT)-resistant strains of Drosophila melanogaster, how Cyp6a2 is regulated and whether its overproduction confers DDT resistance remain elusive. RESULTS: Molecular analysis identified five Cyp6a2 alleles (Cyp6a2(Canton) (-S-1) , Cyp6a2(Canton) (-S-2) , Cyp6a2(91-C) , Cyp6a2(91-R) and Cyp6a2(Wisconsin) (-) (WD) ) from four D. melanogaster strains, notably differing in the presence or absence of an intact Nrf2/Maf (a transcription factor) binding site in the 5'-promoter core region, a 'G1410' frameshift deletion mutation in the heme-binding region and a long terminal repeat (LTR) of transposable element 17.6 in the 3'-untranslated region (UTR). Linkage analysis confirmed that DDT resistance was genetically linked to a Nrf2/Maf-binding-site-containing, LTR-lacking functional allele of Cyp6a2 (Cyp6a2(91-R) ). The qRT-PCR results showed that overexpression of functional Cyp6a2 was consistently associated with DDT resistance. Luciferase reporter gene assays revealed that an intact Nrf2/Maf binding site in the 5'-promoter core region enhanced the constitutive transcription of Cyp6a2. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the Nrf2/Maf binding-site-containing functional Cyp6a2 allele is associated with DDT resistance in the D. melanogaster strains under study.

Biochemical and structural studies of conserved Maf proteins revealed nucleotide pyrophosphatases with a preference for modified nucleotides.

Maf (for multicopy associated filamentation) proteins represent a large family of conserved proteins implicated in cell division arrest but whose biochemical activity remains unknown. Here, we show that the prokaryotic and eukaryotic Maf proteins exhibit nucleotide pyrophosphatase activity against 5-methyl-UTP, pseudo-UTP, 5-methyl-CTP, and 7-methyl-GTP, which represent the most abundant modified bases in all organisms, as well as against canonical nucleotides dTTP, UTP, and CTP. Overexpression of the Maf protein YhdE in E. coli cells increased intracellular levels of dTMP and UMP, confirming that dTTP and UTP are the in vivo substrates of this protein. Crystal structures and site-directed mutagenesis of Maf proteins revealed the determinants of their activity and substrate specificity. Thus, pyrophosphatase activity of Maf proteins toward canonical and modified nucleotides might provide the molecular mechanism for a dual role of these proteins in cell division arrest and house cleaning.

Desmoid: the role of local therapy in an era of systemic options.

OPINION STATEMENT: Extra-abdominal desmoid tumors continue to present unique challenges. Although the majority of patients can achieve durable local control, recalcitrant disease can prove frustrating for patients, their families, and providers. This is especially true when morbid local treatment modalities are undertaken in hopes of controlling a benign disease. There is little universal agreement regarding the optimal management of this potentially locally aggressive neoplasm; however, the overall goal of treatment is durable local control. Because of the unpredictable nature of desmoid tumors, treatment must be individualized on a case-by-case basis, utilizing a multimodal approach, and optimized in a multidisciplinary setting. Primary desmoid tumors that are symptomatic or progressing and can be excised with function-sparing surgery are treated operatively; surgical excision with negative margins (R0 resection) is generally the preferred method of treatment. Radiation therapy is used in combination with surgical resection for microscopically positive margins (R1 resection) when future recurrence may jeopardize limb preservation or function. For symptomatic or enlarging desmoids where surgery will incur significant functional deficits in order to obtain at best an R1 resection, definitive radiation or percutaneous ablation is utilized. Desmoid tumors that are asymptomatic, not enlarging, and located in areas that are remote from vital structures may be carefully observed. Systemic therapy is commonly utilized as an adjunct or primary treatment for symptomatic or enlarging tumors. The mainstay of treatment of recurrent desmoids tumor is surgery with a goal of an R0 resection often combined with radiation therapy. The evolving role of alternative methods of local control (such as cryoablation) is currently being investigated. As the cellular understanding of desmoid tumor improves, the ability to better predict the biological behavior will hopefully improve treatment selection.

Strontium ranelate rebalances bone marrow adipogenesis and osteoblastogenesis in senescent osteopenic mice through NFATc/Maf and Wnt signaling.

With aging, bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) osteoblast differentiation decreases whereas MSC differentiation into adipocytes increases, resulting in increased adipogenesis and bone loss. Here, we investigated whether activation of cell signaling by strontium ranelate (SrRan) can reverse the excessive adipogenic differentiation associated with aging. In murine MSC cultures, SrRan increased Runx2 expression and matrix mineralization and decreased PPARγ2 expression and adipogenesis. This effect was associated with increased expression of the Wnt noncanonical representative Wnt5a and adipogenic modulator Maf and was abrogated by Wnt- and nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFAT)c antagonists, implying a role for Wnt and NFATc/Maf signaling in the switch in osteoblastogenesis to adipogenesis induced by SrRan. To confirm this finding, we investigated the effect of SrRan in SAMP6 senescent mice, which exhibit decreased osteoblastogenesis, increased adipogenesis, and osteopenia. SrRan administration at a clinically relevant dose level increased bone mineral density, bone volume, trabecular thickness and number, as shown by densitometric, microscanning, and histomorphometric analyses in long bones and vertebrae. This attenuation of bone loss was related to increased osteoblast surface and bone formation rate and decreased bone marrow adipocyte volume and size. The restoration of osteoblast and adipocyte balance induced by SrRan was linked to increased Wnt5a and Maf expression in the bone marrow. The results indicate that SrRan acts on lineage allocation of MSCs by antagonizing the age-related switch in osteoblast to adipocyte differentiation via mechanisms involving NFATc/Maf and Wnt signaling, resulting in increased bone formation and attenuation of bone loss in senescent osteopenic mice.

Generation of glucose-responsive, insulin-producing cells from human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells.

We sought to assess the potential of human cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells (CB-MSCs) to derive insulin-producing, glucose-responsive cells. We show here that differentiation protocols based on stepwise culture conditions initially described for human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) lead to differentiation of cord blood-derived precursors towards a pancreatic endocrine phenotype, as assessed by marker expression and in vitro glucose-regulated insulin secretion. Transplantation of these cells in immune-deficient animals shows human C-peptide production in response to a glucose challenge. These data suggest that human cord blood may be a promising source for regenerative medicine approaches for the treatment of diabetes mellitus.

Manganese potentiates LPS-induced heme-oxygenase 1 in microglia but not dopaminergic cells: role in controlling microglial hydrogen peroxide and inflammatory cytokine output.

Excessive manganese (Mn) exposure increases output of glial-derived inflammatory products, which may indirectly contribute to the neurotoxic effects of this essential metal. In microglia, Mn increases hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) release and potentiates lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6) and nitric oxide (NO). Inducible heme-oxygenase (HO-1) plays a role in the regulation of inflammation and its expression is upregulated in response to oxidative stressors, including metals and LPS. Because Mn can oxidatively affect neurons both directly and indirectly, we investigated the effect of Mn exposure on the induction of HO-1 in resting and LPS-activated microglia (N9) and dopaminergic neurons (N27). In microglia, 24h exposure to Mn (up to 250 µM) had minimal effects on its own, but it markedly potentiated LPS (100 ng/ml)-induced HO-1 protein and mRNA. Inhibition of microglial HO-1 activity with two different inhibitors indicated that HO-1 is a positive regulator of the Mn-potentiated cytokine output and a negative regulator of the Mn-induced H(2)O(2) output. Mn enhancement of LPS-induced HO-1 does not appear to be dependent on H(2)O(2) or NO, as Mn+LPS-induced H(2)O(2) release was not greater than the increase induced by Mn alone and inhibition of iNOS did not change Mn potentiation of HO-1. However, because Mn exposure potentiated the LPS-induced nuclear expression of small Maf proteins, this may be one mechanism Mn uses to affect the expression of HO-1 in activated microglia. Finally, the potentiating effects of Mn on HO-1 appear to be glia-specific for Mn, LPS, or Mn+LPS did not induce HO-1 in N27 neuronal cells.

BMP-induced L-Maf regulates subsequent BMP-independent differentiation of primary lens fibre cells.

Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signals are essential for lens development. However, the temporal requirement of BMP activity during early events of lens development has remained elusive. To investigate this question, we have used gain- and loss-of-function analyses in chick explant and intact embryo assays. Here, we show that BMP activity is both required and sufficient to induce L-Maf expression, whereas the onset of δ-crystallin and initial elongation of primary lens fibre cells are BMP-independent. Moreover, before lens placode formation and L-Maf onset, but not after, prospective lens placodal cells can switch to an olfactory placodal fate in response to decreased BMP activity. In addition, L-Maf is sufficient to up-regulate δ-crystallin independent of BMP signals. Taken together, these results show that before L-Maf induction BMP activity is required for lens specification, whereas after L-Maf up-regulation, the early differentiation of primary lens fibre cells occurs independent of BMP signals.

Two distinct origins for Leydig cell progenitors in the fetal testis.

During the differentiation of the mammalian embryonic testis, two compartments are defined: the testis cords and the interstitium. The testis cords give rise to the adult seminiferous tubules, whereas steroidogenic Leydig cells and other less well characterized cell types differentiate in the interstitium (the space between testis cords). Although the process of testis cord formation is essential for male development, it is not entirely understood. It has been viewed as a Sertoli-cell driven process, but growing evidence suggests that interstitial cells play an essential role during testis formation. However, little is known about the origin of the interstitium or the molecular and cellular diversity within this early stromal compartment. To better understand the process of mammalian gonad differentiation, we have undertaken an analysis of developing interstitial/stromal cells in the early mouse testis and ovary. We have discovered molecular heterogeneity in the interstitium and have characterized new markers of distinct cell types in the gonad: MAFB, C-MAF, and VCAM1. Our results show that at least two distinct progenitor lineages give rise to the interstitial/stromal compartment of the gonad: the coelomic epithelium and specialized cells along the gonad-mesonephros border. We demonstrate that both these populations give rise to interstitial precursors that can differentiate into fetal Leydig cells. Our analysis also reveals that perivascular cells migrate into the gonad from the mesonephric border along with endothelial cells and that these vessel-associated cells likely represent an interstitial precursor lineage. This study highlights the cellular diversity of the interstitial cell population and suggests that complex cell-cell interactions among cells in the interstitium are involved in testis morphogenesis.

Sustained production of spliced X-box binding protein 1 (XBP1) induces pancreatic beta cell dysfunction and apoptosis.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Pro-inflammatory cytokines involved in the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes deplete endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca2+ stores, leading to ER-stress and beta cell apoptosis. However, the cytokine-induced ER-stress response in beta cells is atypical and characterised by induction of the pro-apoptotic PKR-like ER kinase (PERK)-C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) branch of the unfolded protein response, but defective X-box binding protein 1 (XBP1) splicing and activating transcription factor 6 activation. The purpose of this study was to overexpress spliced/active Xbp1 (XBP1s) to increase beta cell resistance to cytokine-induced ER-stress and apoptosis. METHODS: Xbp1s was overexpressed using adenoviruses and knocked down using small interference RNA in rat islet cells. In selected experiments, Xbp1 was also knocked down in FACS-purified rat beta cells and rat fibroblasts. Expression and production of XBP1s and key downstream genes and proteins was measured and beta cell function and viability were evaluated. RESULTS: Adenoviral-mediated overproduction of Xbp1s resulted in increased XBP1 activity and induction of several XBP1s target genes. Surprisingly, XBP1s overexpression impaired glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and increased beta cell apoptosis, whereas it protected fibroblasts against cell death induced by ER-stress. mRNA expression of Pdx1 and Mafa was inhibited in cells overproducing XBP1s, leading to decreased insulin expression. XBP1s knockdown partially restored cytokine/ER-stress-driven insulin and Pdx1 inhibition but had no effect on cytokine-induced ER-stress and apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: XBP1 has a distinct inhibitory role in beta cell as compared with other cell types. Prolonged XBP1s production hampers beta cell function via inhibition of insulin, Pdx1 and Mafa expression, eventually leading to beta cell apoptosis.