A role of pancreatic stellate cells in islet fibrosis and β-cell dysfunction in type 2 diabetes mellitus

• Published in: Biochemical and biophysical research communications 2017-04, Vol.485 (2), p.328-334
• Main Authors: Lee, Esder, Ryu, Gyeong Ryul, Ko, Seung-Hyun, Ahn, Yu-Bae, Song, Ki-Ho
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal - pharmacology; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal - therapeutic use; CELL PROLIFERATION; Cells, Cultured; DIABETES MELLITUS; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - drug therapy; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - pathology; FIBROSIS; Fibrosis - pathology; GLUCOSE; GROWTH FACTORS; Humans; IN VIVO; Insulin-Secreting Cells - drug effects; Insulin-Secreting Cells - pathology; Islet fibrosis; Male; PANCREAS; Pancreas - drug effects; Pancreas - pathology; Pancreatic stellate cell; Pancreatic Stellate Cells - drug effects; Pancreatic Stellate Cells - pathology; PATIENTS; PLANT GROWTH; Pyridones - pharmacology; Pyridones - therapeutic use; RATS; Rats, Inbred OLETF; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; β-cell
• ISSN: 0006-291X; 1090-2104
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2017.02.082

To investigate whether the activation of pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) leads to pancreatic β-cell dysfunction in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The pancreases of Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats, an animal model of T2DM, and patient with T2DM were analyzed. And the in vitro and in vivo effects of pirfenidone, an antifibrotic agent, on PSC activation, islet fibrosis, and β-cells were studied. The extent of islet fibrosis and the percentage of activated PSCs, positive for α-smooth muscle actin, in the islets were significantly greater in OLETF rats compared with non-diabetic rats. Also, the extent of islet fibrosis in patients with T2DM was slightly greater compared with age- and BMI-matched non-diabetic patients. In rat PSCs cultured with high glucose for 72 h, pirfenidone produced decreases in cell proliferation, release of collagen, and the expression of fibronectin and connective tissue growth factor. Treatment of OLETF rats with pirfenidone for 16 weeks decreased the activation of PSCs and the extent of islet fibrosis, but did not enhance glucose tolerance, pancreatic insulin content, or β-cell mass. Activated PSCs in islets might lead to islet fibrosis in T2DM. However, PSC activation itself might not contribute significantly to progressive β-cell failure in T2DM. •Islet fibrosis developed progressively in OLETF rats, a model of type 2 diabetes.•PSCs in the islets became activated in OLETF rats.•Islet fibrosis was increased in patients with type 2 diabetes.•Pirfenidone attenuated the activation of PSCs and islet fibrosis in OLETF rats.•Pirfenidonet had no effects on glucose tolerance or on β-cells in OLETF rats.