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Scientists find a new way insulin-producing cells die

Date:
February 25, 2011
Source:
University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
Summary:
Diabetes researchers discover another way that insulin-secreting beta cells in the pancreas can be destroyed -- by the secretions of neighboring alpha cells.
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FULL STORY

The death of insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas is a core defect in diabetes. Scientists in Italy and Texas now have discovered a new way that these cells die -- by toxic imbalance of a molecule secreted by other pancreatic cells.

"Our study shows that neighboring cells called alpha cells can behave like adversaries for beta cells. This was an unexpected finding," said Franco Folli, M.D., Ph.D., professor of medicine/diabetes at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. He is co-lead author on the study with Carla Perego, Ph.D., assistant professor of physiology at the University of Milan.

Balance needed to control sugars

Alpha and beta cells are grouped in areas of the pancreas called the islets of Langerhans. Alpha cells make glucagon, the hormone that raises blood sugar during fasting. In the same environment the beta cells make insulin, the hormone that lowers sugars after a meal. Imbalance ultimately leads to diabetes.

"We found that glutamate, a major signaling molecule in the brain and pancreas, is secreted together with glucagon by alpha cells and affects beta cell integrity," Dr. Folli said. "In a situation where there is an imbalance toward more alpha cells and fewer beta cells, as in Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, this could result in further beta cell destruction."

Role of alpha cells

Glutamate toxicity is a new mechanism of beta cell destruction not previously known, Drs. Perego and Folli said. It has not been typically thought that alpha cells could themselves be a cause of beta cell damage, they said.

The study also found a protection for beta cells, namely, a protein called GLT1 that controls glutamate levels outside the beta cells. "GLT1 is like a thermostat controlling the microenvironment of beta cells with respect to glutamate concentration," Dr. Perego said.

Early warning

A diagnostic test for glutamate toxicity in the islets of Langerhans is being developed by the authors, Dr. Folli said. Eventually an intervention to slow the process could follow.

Glutamate poisoning is a new candidate mechanism for beta cell destruction in diabetes. Others are high glucose, buildup of a protein called amyloid, and free fatty acids, which are found in patients with type 2 diabetes.

"The vicious cycle in diabetes is that there are several substances that have been shown, also by us, to be toxic to beta cells," Dr. Folli said. "And now we have found a new one, glutamate."

The Journal of Biological Chemistry published the study online this week. The work of Dr. Perego is supported by a grant from the Italian Ministry of University and Research. Dr. Folli's work is supported by the National Institutes of Health.


Story Source:

Materials provided by University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Journal Reference:

  1. E. S. Di Cairano, A. M. Davalli, L. Perego, S. Sala, V. F. Sacchi, S. La Rosa, G. Finzi, C. Placidi, C. Capella, P. Conti, V. E. Centonze, F. Casiraghi, F. Bertuzzi, F. Folli, C. Perego. The glial glutamate transporter 1 (GLT1) is expressed by pancreatic  -cells and prevents glutamate-induced  -cell death. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 2011; DOI: 10.1074/jbc.M110.183517

Cite This Page:

University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. "Scientists find a new way insulin-producing cells die." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 25 February 2011. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/02/110225122912.htm>.
University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. (2011, February 25). Scientists find a new way insulin-producing cells die. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 18, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/02/110225122912.htm
University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. "Scientists find a new way insulin-producing cells die." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/02/110225122912.htm (accessed March 18, 2024).

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