In vitro modulation of TCF7L2 gene expression in human pancreatic cells

Several studies have recently reported strong association between type 2 diabetes and variation in the transcription factor 7-like 2 (TCF7L2) gene, which has been confirmed by several other genome-wide studies. However, the physiological implications of this transcription factor on the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes is not yet known. The aim of this study was to investigate the alteration in TCF7L2 gene expression in human pancreatic cell line in response to various factors in vitro. MIA Paca-2 cell line (Human Pancreas cell line) was cultured in the presence of curcumin, lipopolysaccaride and glucose (low and high concentration). TCF7L2 gene expression was determined using quantitative real-time RT-PCR. Treatment with curcumin significantly increased TCF7L2 gene expression to 3.24 fold (1.7-log fold) (P = 0.003) compared to the controls while treatment with LPS decreased TCF7L2 gene expression to 0.88-fold (-0.18-log). On the other hand, glucose increased TCF7L2 gene expression in pancreatic cell line. Our data suggest a role for TCF7L2 in glucose homeostasis. The contrary effect of curcumin and LPS on expression of TCF7L2 in pancreatic cells supports a role for TCF7L2 in their survival and function in inflammatory conditions.