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Toll-like receptor 4 signal transduction pathways in pancreatic cells and their effect on insulin secretion and production

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Author(s):
Fernanda Vieira Paladino
Total Authors: 1
Document type: Master's Dissertation
Press: São Paulo.
Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Medicina (FM/SBD)
Defense date:
Examining board members:
Anna Carla Renata Krepel Goldberg; Leticia Labriola; Humberto Miguel Garay Malpartida
Advisor: Anna Carla Renata Krepel Goldberg
Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) belongs to a family of innate immunity receptors and recognizes the molecular pattern present in lipopolysaccharides (LPS), typical of Gram-negative bacteria. There are two TLR4 signaling pathways, typically in antigen-presenting cells: one is MyD88-dependent, activating NF-kB transcription factor and triggering inflammatory cytokine production and the other is MyD88-independent, leading to activation of IRF3 and IRF-7 and production of interferons e , involved in antiviral and antibacterial immune responses. Non-immune cells in several tissues also express TLR4, including human and murine pancreatic cells. Due to their role in inflammatory processes, TLRs have been implicated in chronic diseases like obesity and diabetes. Our previous study identified TLR4 as a molecule which activates inflammatory signals and induces changes in cell homeostasis. In this study, we investigated which of the TLR4 pathways is activated by LPS and the effects of glucose levels on cell viability and insulin production in a mouse insulinoma cell line. METHODS: MIN6 cells were maintained in low (2,8mM), normal (5,6mM) and high (11,2mM) glucose levels for 4 days, and then incubated with LPS (50 ng/mL) for 48 hours. Analyses were done by real-time PCR, Western Blot, ELISA and flow cytometry. RESULTS: Analysis confirmed increase in TLR4 gene expression in hyperglycemic conditions and showed that the signaling pathway activated by LPS is MyD88-dependent. The interferon induction pathway is absent in these cells. Furthermore, upon activation by LPS, TLR4 impacts on insulin secretion in response to glucose, but without triggering cell death. CONCLUSION: We conclude that TLR4 expression in mouse pancreatic cells is induced in response to increased glucose levels, constituting a new link in the chain of events leading to cell stress caused by high glucose levels with concomitant changes in cell function induced by LPS (AU)

FAPESP's process: 09/06547-6 - Toll-like receptor 4 signal transduction pathways in pancreatic beta cells and their effects on insulin production and secretion.
Grantee:Fernanda Vieira Paladino
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master