Glucagon Acting at the GLP-1 Receptor Contributes to β-Cell Regeneration Induced by Glucagon Receptor Antagonism in Diabetic Mice

Abstract

Glucagon receptor (GCGR) antagonism promotes β-cell regeneration in type 1 and type 2 diabetic mice and in euglycemic nonhuman primates. Glucagon and glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) can activate the GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R), and their levels are upregulated following GCGR antagonism. We investigated whether GLP-1R activated by glucagon and/or GLP-1 contributed to β-cell regeneration induced by GCGR antagonism. We found that blockage of glucagon-GLP-1R signaling attenuated the GCGR monoclonal antibody-induced insulinotropic effect and β-cell regeneration in diabetic mice. Our study reveals a novel mechanism of β-cell regeneration and uncovers the communication between α-cells and β-cells in regulating β-cell mass.