Interleukin-6 regulates pancreatic alpha-cell mass expansion.

ABSTRACT: Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is systemically elevated in obesity and is a predictive factor to develop type 2 diabetes. Pancreatic islet pathology in type 2 diabetes is characterized by reduced beta-cell function and mass, an increased proportion of alpha-cells relative to beta-cells, and alpha-cell dysfunction. Here we show that the alpha cell is a primary target of IL-6 actions. Beginning with investigating the tissue-specific expression pattern of the IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) in both mice and rats, we find the highest expression of the IL-6R in the endocrine pancreas, with highest expression on the alpha-cell. The islet IL-6R is functional, and IL-6 acutely regulates both pro-glucagon mRNA and glucagon secretion in mouse and human islets, with no acute effect on insulin secretion. Furthermore, IL-

SUBMITTER: Ellingsgaard H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2529061 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature