Cytokines Downregulate the Sarcoendoplasmic Reticulum Pump Ca2+ ATPase 2b and Deplete Endoplasmic Reticulum Ca2+, Leading to Induction of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Pancreatic β-Cells

TLDR

Cytokines such as IL‑1β and IFN‑γ, together with free radicals, trigger β‑cell death in type 1 diabetes by inducing nitric oxide production and activating endoplasmic reticulum stress pathways. This study investigates whether cytokine‑induced apoptosis and necrosis in primary rat β‑cells and INS‑1E cells depend on nitric oxide production. The authors show that IL‑1β+IFN‑γ suppress SERCA2b expression, deplete ER Ca²⁺, and, via NO, activate CHOP, IRE1α, and PERK/ATF4 signaling, thereby sensitizing β‑cells to apoptosis and suggesting a key role for ER‑stress–mediated cell death.

Abstract

Cytokines and free radicals are mediators of β-cell death in type 1 diabetes. Under in vitro conditions, interleukin-1β (IL-1β) + γ-interferon (IFN-γ) induce nitric oxide (NO) production and apoptosis in rodent and human pancreatic β-cells. We have previously shown, by microarray analysis of primary β-cells, that IL-1β + IFN-γ decrease expression of the mRNA encoding for the sarcoendoplasmic reticulum pump Ca2+ ATPase 2b (SERCA2b) while inducing expression of the endoplasmic reticulum stress–related and proapoptotic gene CHOP (C/EBP [CCAAT/enhancer binding protein] homologous protein). In the present study we show that cytokine-induced apoptosis and necrosis in primary rat β-cells and INS-1E cells largely depends on NO production. IL-1β + IFN-γ, via NO synthesis, markedly decreased SERCA2b protein expression and depleted ER Ca2+ stores. Of note, β-cells showed marked sensitivity to apoptosis induced by SERCA blockers, as compared with fibroblasts. Cytokine-induced ER Ca2+ depletion was paralleled by an NO-dependent induction of CHOP protein and activation of diverse components of the ER stress response, including activation of inositol-requiring ER-to-nucleus signal kinase 1α (IRE1α) and PRK (RNA-dependent protein kinase)-like ER kinase (PERK)/activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4), but not ATF6. In contrast, the ER stress–inducing agent thapsigargin triggered these four pathways in parallel. In conclusion, our results suggest that the IL-1β + IFN-γ–induced decrease in SERCA2b expression, with subsequent depletion of ER Ca2+ and activation of the ER stress pathway, is a potential contributory mechanism to β-cell death.