Extensive epidemiological evidence in humans and animal models suggests that poor maternal nutrition increases the susceptibility of the offspring to develop type-2 diabetes. Alterations in ?-cell development, leading to long-term defects in ?-cell mass and function is a major component of this phenotype. These observations identified the phenomena of fetal ?-cell programming. Although the importance of nutrition during ?-cell development as a risk for diabetes has been demonstrated, it is not entirely clear how nutrient signals regulate the differentiation program of the pancreas. The objective of this proposal is to determine the role of mTOR signaling on ?-cell development and programming by nutrient signals. The central hypothesis to be tested is that nutrient signals acting on mTOR modulate ?-cell development and susceptibility to diabetes by regulating pancreatic progenitor proliferation and survival. This will be tested by the following approach:
Specific Aims 1 and 2 directly address how different nutrient signals acting through mTOR regulate proliferation and survival of pancreatic progenitors and ?-cell development.
Aim 3 will identify the critical developmental window during which modulation of mTOR signaling regulates ?-cell programming and susceptibility to diabetes using inducible models with gain and loss of mTOR function. Long-term metabolic effects of transient inhibition of mTOR signaling during different stages of development will establish the critical window. Rescue of hyperglycemia in growth-retarded fetuses by transient activation of mTOR signaling during critical developmental period will also be performed. These studies will enhance our understanding of the molecular mechanisms that govern pancreas development and the long-term metabolic consequences of ?- cell programming by nutrient signals. This information can be used to design novel therapeutic approaches to improve ?-cell mass and function in diabetics and to modulate the differentiation program of pancreatic progenitors for therapeutic purposes. Finally, understanding the pathophysiology of glucose intolerance associated in individuals with intrauterine growth retardation is important for both prevention and therapy.

Public Health Relevance

The mechanisms by which adverse intrauterine environment increases the susceptibility to develop glucose intolerance and type 2 diabetes are not well understood but a primary developmental insult to the ?-cell has been described. The goal of this application is to elucidate the mechanisms responsible for regulating pancreas development and ?-cell programming by nutrient signals in an effort to develop strategies to prevent diabetes in growth retarded fetuses and to identify pharmacological targets to improve ?-cell mass and function.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01DK084236-07
Application #
9185972
Study Section
Cellular Aspects of Diabetes and Obesity Study Section (CADO)
Program Officer
Sato, Sheryl M
Project Start
2009-07-01
Project End
2019-08-31
Budget Start
2016-09-01
Budget End
2017-08-31
Support Year
7
Fiscal Year
2016
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Miami School of Medicine
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
052780918
City
Coral Gables
State
FL
Country
United States
Zip Code
33146
Navarro, Guadalupe; Allard, Camille; Morford, Jamie J et al. (2018) Androgen excess in pancreatic ? cells and neurons predisposes female mice to type 2 diabetes. JCI Insight 3:
Gregg, Brigid E; Botezatu, Nathalie; Brill, Joshua D et al. (2018) Gestational exposure to metformin programs improved glucose tolerance and insulin secretion in adult male mouse offspring. Sci Rep 8:5745
Blandino-Rosano, Manuel; Barbaresso, Rebecca; Jimenez-Palomares, Margarita et al. (2017) Loss of mTORC1 signalling impairs ?-cell homeostasis and insulin processing. Nat Commun 8:16014
Elghazi, Lynda; Blandino-Rosano, Manuel; Alejandro, Emilyn et al. (2017) Role of nutrients and mTOR signaling in the regulation of pancreatic progenitors development. Mol Metab 6:560-573
Alejandro, Emilyn U; Bozadjieva, Nadejda; Blandino-Rosano, Manuel et al. (2017) Overexpression of Kinase-Dead mTOR Impairs Glucose Homeostasis by Regulating Insulin Secretion and Not ?-Cell Mass. Diabetes 66:2150-2162
Bozadjieva, Nadejda; Blandino-Rosano, Manuel; Chase, Jennifer et al. (2017) Loss of mTORC1 signaling alters pancreatic ? cell mass and impairs glucagon secretion. J Clin Invest 127:4379-4393
Cras-Méneur, Corentin; Conlon, Megan; Zhang, Yaqing et al. (2016) Early pancreatic islet fate and maturation is controlled through RBP-J?. Sci Rep 6:26874
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Blandino-Rosano, Manuel; Scheys, Joshua O; Jimenez-Palomares, Margarita et al. (2016) 4E-BP2/SH2B1/IRS2 Are Part of a Novel Feedback Loop That Controls ?-Cell Mass. Diabetes 65:2235-48
Alejandro, Emilyn U; Bozadjieva, Nadejda; Kumusoglu, Doga et al. (2015) Disruption of O-linked N-Acetylglucosamine Signaling Induces ER Stress and ? Cell Failure. Cell Rep 13:2527-2538

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