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Accelerated Type 1 Diabetes Induction in Mice by Adoptive Transfer of Diabetogenic CD4+ T Cells
Published on: May 6, 2013
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B-1a lymphocytes attenuate insulin resistance.
Lei Shen1, Melissa Hui Yen Chng2, Michael N Alonso2
1Shanghai Institute of Immunology, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Tumor Microenvironment and Inflammation, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
Diabetes
|September 25, 2014
Summary
B-1a cells, a type of B lymphocyte, are crucial for regulating obesity-associated insulin resistance by producing anti-inflammatory interleukin-10 (IL-10). Restoring these cells improves metabolic health, suggesting a new therapeutic target for type 2 diabetes.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Metabolic Disease
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Obesity-associated insulin resistance, a precursor to type 2 diabetes, involves chronic inflammation, particularly in visceral adipose tissue (VAT).
- B lymphocytes play a role in metabolic inflammation, but specific subpopulations and their functions remain incompletely understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of B-1a cells, a B lymphocyte subpopulation, in obesity-associated insulin resistance.
- To determine the mechanisms by which B-1a cells regulate inflammation and metabolic homeostasis in obesity.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of B-1a cell frequency and interleukin-10 (IL-10) production in obese high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice.
- Adoptive transfer of B-1a cells and B-2 cells into HFD-fed B cell-deficient mice.
- Genetic knockdown of B cell-activating factor (BAFF) and treatment with anti-BAFF antibodies.
Main Results:
- B-1a cells are reduced in frequency and IL-10 production in obese mice.
- B-1a cells are the dominant source of IL-10 in VAT.
- Adoptive transfer of B-1a cells improved insulin resistance and glucose tolerance via IL-10 and IgM.
- Transfer of B-2 cells exacerbated metabolic disease.
Conclusions:
- B-1a cells are critical regulators of metabolic homeostasis and insulin sensitivity.
- B-1a cell-derived IL-10 and IgM are key mediators of their beneficial effects.
- Targeting B-1a cells represents a potential therapeutic strategy for insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.
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