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A High-content In Vitro Pancreatic Islet β-cell Replication Discovery Platform
Published on: July 16, 2016
Replication Activities of Major 5' Terminally Deleted Group-B Coxsackievirus RNA Forms Decrease PCSK2 mRNA Expression
Domitille Callon1,2, Aurélien Guedra1,2, Anne-Laure Lebreil1
1Cardiovir EA-4684, Faculty of Medicine, University of Reims Champagne Ardennes, 51 Rue Cognacq Jay, 51097 Reims, France.
Abstract:
Emergence of 5' terminally deleted coxsackievirus-B RNA forms (CVB-TD) have been associated with the development of human diseases. These CVB-TD RNA forms have been detected in mouse pancreas during acute or persistent experimental infections. To date, the impact of the replication activities of CVB-TD RNA forms on insulin metabolism remains unexplored. Using an immunocompetent mouse model of CVB3/28 infection, acute and persistent infections of major CVB-TD populations were evidenced in the pancreas. The inoculation of mice with homogenized pancreases containing major CVB-TD populations induced acute and chronic pancreatic infections with pancreatitis. In the mouse pancreas, viral capsid protein 1 (VP1) expression colocalized with a decrease in beta cells insulin content. Moreover, in infected mouse pancreases, we showed a decrease in pro-hormone convertase 2 (PCSK2) mRNA, associated with a decrease in insulin plasmatic concentration. Finally, transfection of synthetic CVB-TD50 RNA forms into cultured rodent pancreatic beta cells demonstrated that viral replication with protein synthesis activities decreased the PCSK2 mRNA expression levels, impairing insulin secretion. In conclusion, our results show that the emergence and maintenance of major CVB-TD RNA replicative forms in pancreatic beta cells can play a direct, key role in the pathophysiological mechanisms leading to the development of type 1 diabetes.
Insights
Emergence of 5' terminally deleted coxsackievirus-B RNA (CVB-TD) replicative forms in pancreatic beta cells impairs insulin secretion, potentially driving type 1 diabetes development.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- 5' terminally deleted coxsackievirus-B RNA (CVB-TD) forms are linked to human diseases.
- Their impact on insulin metabolism and diabetes development is unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of CVB-TD RNA replication in pancreatic beta cells and its effect on insulin metabolism.
- To determine the potential link between CVB-TD and type 1 diabetes pathogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Used an immunocompetent mouse model of CVB3/28 infection to study acute and persistent CVB-TD infections.
- Analyzed viral protein expression, beta cell insulin content, and PCSK2 mRNA levels in infected pancreases.
- Transfected cultured rodent pancreatic beta cells with synthetic CVB-TD50 RNA to assess viral replication effects.
Main Results:
- CVB-TD populations were detected in mouse pancreases during acute and persistent infections, causing pancreatitis.
- Viral capsid protein 1 (VP1) expression correlated with decreased beta cell insulin content.
- CVB-TD infection led to reduced PCSK2 mRNA and plasma insulin levels.
- In vitro, CVB-TD RNA replication impaired insulin secretion by decreasing PCSK2 mRNA.
Conclusions:
- Replicative CVB-TD RNA forms in pancreatic beta cells play a key role in the development of type 1 diabetes.
- These viral forms directly contribute to the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying diabetes.
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