A subset of human pancreatic beta cells express functional CD14 receptors: a signaling pathway for beta cell-related glycolipids, sulfatide and ß-galactosylceramide

Thomas Østerbye, David P Funda, Petra Fundová, Jan-Eric Månsson, Helena Tlaskalová-Hogenová, Karsten Buschard

13 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: T1DM is a T-cell-mediated autoimmune disease targeting insulin-producing beta-cells. Multiple factors may contribute to the development of T1DM. Among these, the metabolic state of beta-cells and pro-inflammatory cytokines, produced by infiltrating immune cells, have been implicated in the precipitation of T1DM. Methods and Results: In this study, confocal immunofluorescence microscopy of human pancreata revealed a distinct subset of beta-cells expressing the innate LPS co-receptor CD14. Human islets expressed fully functional CD14 as LPS stimulation led to a dose-dependent secretion of tumour necrosis factor (TNFα), interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-8, which were substantially inhibited by a blocking anti-CD14 mAb. In addition, LPS stimulation impaired the glucose-mediated insulin secretion in rat islets. β-GalCer and sulfatide, glycolipids that are related to insulin processing and secretion, are possibly interacting with the CD14 receptor complex. β-GalCer had an LPS-like, serum- and CD14-dependent effect on the induction of pro-inflammatory cytokines in a human monocyte cell line. In contrast, the LPS-mediated cytokine production was inhibited by sulfatide. Human islets also responded to β-GalCer (10 μg/mL) by secreting TNFα IL-1β and IL-8, whereas sulfatide partly inhibited the effect of LPS. Conclusions: A subset of human beta-cells expresses functional CD14 receptor and thus is able to recognize both exogenous bacterial (LPS) as well as endogenous ligands (e.g. glycolipids of beta-cell origin). The CD14 expression on a subset of human beta-cells may play a role in the innate surveillance of the endocrine environment but may also contribute to innate immune mechanisms in the early stages of beta-cell aggression.

Original languageEnglish
JournalDiabetes - Metabolism: Research and Reviews (Online Edition)
Volume26
Issue number8
Pages (from-to)656-67
Number of pages12
ISSN1520-7560
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Nov 2010

Keywords

  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Antigens, CD14
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Female
  • Galactosylceramides
  • Glycolipids
  • Humans
  • Insulin-Secreting Cells
  • Interleukin-8
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • Male
  • Rats
  • Signal Transduction
  • Sulfoglycosphingolipids
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'A subset of human pancreatic beta cells express functional CD14 receptors: a signaling pathway for beta cell-related glycolipids, sulfatide and ß-galactosylceramide'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this