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Leprdb Mouse Model of Type 2 Diabetes: Pancreatic Islet Isolation and Live-cell 2-Photon Imaging Of Intact Islets

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Impaired β-cell-β-cell coupling mediated by Cx36 gap junctions in prediabetic mice.

C P F Carvalho¹, R B Oliveira, A Britan

¹Department of Histology and Embryology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.

American Journal of Physiology. Endocrinology and Metabolism

|May 10, 2012

Summary

Impaired gap junctional communication in pancreatic beta cells, mediated by connexin (Cx)36, is observed in prediabetic mice, suggesting a role in early type 2 diabetes development.

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A Method for Mouse Pancreatic Islet Isolation and Intracellular cAMP Determination

A Method for Mouse Pancreatic Islet Isolation and Intracellular cAMP Determination

Published on: June 25, 2014

Area of Science:

Endocrinology
Cell Biology
Metabolic Diseases

Background:

Gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) between pancreatic beta cells is vital for regulating insulin production and release.
Connexin 36 (Cx36) is a key protein forming gap junctions (GJs) in beta cells, essential for their coordinated function.

Purpose of the Study:

To examine Cx36 protein expression, GJ structure, and function in the pancreatic islets of high-fat diet-induced prediabetic mice.
To elucidate the role of Cx36-dependent cell-to-cell communication in early beta cell dysfunction.

Main Methods:

C57BL/6 mice were fed a high-fat (HF) or regular diet for 60 days to induce obesity and prediabetes.
Assessed insulin resistance, hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, and pancreatic mass.
Quantified Cx36 protein levels, analyzed GJ plaque size via electron microscopy, and measured beta cell coupling using ethidium bromide microinjection.

Main Results:

HF-fed mice exhibited obesity, insulin resistance, hyperglycemia, and increased islet mass, confirming a prediabetic state.
Prediabetic mice showed significantly reduced insulin secretion in response to glucose.
A notable decrease in islet Cx36 protein expression and GJ plaque size was observed, alongside a 30% reduction in beta cell-beta cell coupling.

Conclusions:

Beta cell-beta cell coupling mediated by Cx36 is impaired in prediabetic mice.
Cx36-dependent intercellular communication may play a critical role in the early stages of beta cell dysfunction leading to type 2 diabetes.