Neuronal loss of TRPM8 leads to obesity and glucose intolerance in male mice.

OBJECTIVE: Mice with global deletion of the transient receptor potential channel melastatin family member 8 (TRPM8) are obese, and treatment of diet-induced obese (DIO) mice with TRPM8 agonists decrease body weight. Whether TRPM8 signaling regulates energy metabolism via central or peripheral effects is unknow. Here we assessed the metabolic phenotype of mice with either Nestin Cre-mediated neuronal loss of TRPM8, or with deletion of TRPM8 in Advillin Cre positive sensory neurons of the peripheral nervous system (PNS). METHODS: Nestin Cre- and Advillin Cre-Trpm8 knock-out (KO) mice were metabolically phenotyped under chronic exposure to either chow or high-fat diet (HFD), followed by assessment of energy and glucose metabolism. RESULTS: At room temperature, chow-fed neuronal Trpm8 KO are obese and show decreased energy expenditure when acutely treated with the TRPM8 selective agonist icilin. But body weight of neuronal Trpm8 KO mice is indistinguishable from wildtype controls at thermoneutrality, or when mice are chronically exposed to HFD-feeding. In contrast to previous studies, we show that the TRPM8 agonist icilin has no direct effect on brown adipocytes, but that icilin stimulates energy expenditure, at least in part, via neuronal TRPM8 signaling. We further show that lack of TRPM8 in sensory neurons of the PNS does not lead to a metabolically relevant phenotype. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate that obesity in TRPM8-deficient mice is centrally mediated and likely originates from alterations in energy expenditure and/or thermal conductance, but does not depend on TRPM8 signaling in brown adipocytes or sensory neurons of the PVN.

Orexin A modulates INS-1E cell proliferation and insulin secretion via extracellular signal-regulated kinase and transient receptor potential channels.

Orexins A (OXA) and B (OXB) control energy homeostasis by regulating food intake, energy expenditure and sleep-wake cycle. Several studies showed that OXA stimulates insulin secretion and proliferation of beta cells. However, mechanisms of action are still not well understood. Here, we investigated whether ERK and transient receptor potential channels (TRPs) play a role in mediating the effect of OXA on cell growth, insulin production, and secretion using the established INS-1E cell line. Cell proliferation was measured using BrdU assay. Insulin mRNA expression was detected by real-time PCR. Insulin secretion was assessed using ELISA. Intracellular calcium levels were measured using fluorescence calcium imaging (fura-2/AM). Extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) phosphorylation was detected by Western blot. TRP channel activity was blocked by lanthanum (III) chloride (La3+; 100 - 300 µM) or ruthenium red (RuR; 10 µM). OXA (100 nM) stimulated INS-1E cell proliferation, insulin secretion, intracellular Ca2+ concentration and ERK1/2 phosphorylation, without changing insulin mRNA expression. Inhibition of ERK1/2 by 10 µM U0126 attenuated OXA-stimulated INS-1E cell proliferation. Blockade of TRP channel activity by La3+ or RuR rendered OXA ineffective at modulating Ca2+ regulation and insulin release. In contrast, the L-type channel blocker nifedipine (10 µM) failed to affect OXA-stimulated insulin release. Taken together, OXA increases INS-1E cell proliferation via ERK1/2-dependent mechanism. Furthermore, OXA stimulates insulin secretion from INS-1E cells. TRPs are relevant for OXA-stimulated insulin secretion and intracellular calcium regulation.

TRPV6 channel modulates proliferation of insulin secreting INS-1E beta cell line.

Transient receptor potential channel vanilloid type 6 (TRPV6) is a non-selective cation channel with high permeability for Ca²âº ions. So far, the role of TRPV6 in pancreatic beta cells is unknown. In the present study, we characterized the role of TRPV6 in controlling calcium signaling, cell proliferation as well as insulin expression, and secretion in experimental INS-1E beta cell model. TRPV6 protein production was downregulated using siRNA by approx. 70%, as detected by Western blot. Intracellular free Ca²âº ([Ca²âº]i) was measured by fluorescence Ca²âº imaging using fura-2. Calcineurin/NFAT signaling was analyzed using a NFAT reporter assay as well as a calcineurin activity assay. TRPV6 downregulation resulted in impaired cellular calcium influx. Its downregulation also reduced cell proliferation and decreased insulin mRNA expression. These changes were companied by the inhibition of the calcineurin/NFAT signaling. In contrast, insulin exocytosis was not affected by TRPV6 downregulation. In conclusion, this study demonstrates for the first time the expression of TRPV6 in INS-1E cells and rat pancreatic beta cells and describes its role in modulating calcium signaling, beta cell proliferation and insulin mRNA expression. In contrast, TRPV6 fails to influence insulin secretion.

Activation of TRPV4 channel in pancreatic INS-1E beta cells enhances glucose-stimulated insulin secretion via calcium-dependent mechanisms.

Transient receptor potential channel vanilloid type 4 (TRPV4) is a Ca(2+)- and Mg(2+)-permeable cation channel that influences oxidative metabolism and insulin sensitivity. The role of TRPV4 in pancreatic beta cells is largely unknown. Here, we characterize the role of TRPV4 in controlling intracellular Ca(2+) and insulin secretion in INS-1E beta cells. Osmotic, thermal or pharmacological activation of TRPV4 caused a rapid rise of intracellular Ca(2+) and enhanced glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. In the presence of the TRPV channel blocker ruthenium red (RuR) or after suppression of TRPV4 protein production, TRPV4 activators failed to increase [Ca(2+)]i and insulin secretion in INS-1E cells.