High Glucose Aggravates the Detrimental Effects of Pancreatic Stellate Cells on Beta-Cell Function

Abstract EN

Background and Aims.

We here assess the effects of PSCs on β-cell function and apoptosis in vivo and in vitro.

Materials and Methods.

PSCs were transplanted into Wistar and Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rats.

Sixteen weeks after transplantation, β-cell function, apoptosis, and islet fibrosis were assessed.

In vitro the effects of PSCs conditioned medium (PSCs-CM) and/or high concentration of glucose on INS-1 cell function was assessed by measuring insulin secretion, INS-1 cell survival, apoptosis, and endoplasmic reticulum stress (ER stress) associated CHOP expression.

Results.

PSCs transplantation exacerbated the impaired β-cell function in GK rats, but had no significant effects in Wistar rats.

In vitro, PSCs-CM caused impaired INS-1 cell viability and insulin secretion and increased apoptosis, which were more pronounced in the presence of high glucose.

Conclusion.

Our study demonstrates that PSCs induce β-cell failure in vitro and in vivo.