GLP-1 amplifies insulin signaling by up-regulation of IRbeta, IRS-1 and Glut4 in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (7–36) amide (GLP-1) is an insulin secretagogue. Recently, many studies have shown GLP-1 can improve insulin resistance in peripheral tissues. In the present study, we investigated glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 adipocytes in either basal or insulin resistant state and dissected insulin signaling pathway in order to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of GLP-1 mediated improvement of insulin resistance. We found GLP-1 and its long lasting analogue, exendin 4 up-regulated basal IR, IRS-1 and Glut 4 expressions although they did not increase basal glucose uptake alone. However, GLP-1 and exendin-4 increased insulin mediated glucose uptake in intact and TNF-α treated 3T3-L1 adipocytes by up-regulation of phophorylated IRβ, IRS-1, Akt and GSK-3β. These results indicate that GLP-1 and its analogue exendin-4 can amplify insulin signaling in 3T3-L1 adipocytes by up-regulation of some crucial insulin signaling molecules. Hong Gao and Xinjun Wang equally contributed to this work.     

糖基化终产物对3T3-L1脂肪细胞胰岛素敏感性及SAA3基因表达的影响

目的探讨糖基化终产物（AGE）对3T3-L1脂肪细胞胰岛素敏感性及SAA3基因表达的影响。方法以2-DG摄入法观察葡萄糖的摄取率,用RT-PCR检测脂肪因子SAA3mRNA的表达。结果AGE显著减少3T3-L1脂肪细胞在胰岛素刺激下的葡萄糖摄取,呈剂量和时间依赖效应;AGE显著增加脂肪细胞SAA3mRNA的表达;呈剂量依赖方式。结论AGE能降低3T3-L1脂肪细胞对葡萄糖的摄取,增加3T3-L1脂肪细胞对淀粉样蛋白的表达。     

Hexosamines are unlikely to function as a nutrient-sensor in 3T3-L1 adipocytes: a comparison of UDP-hexosamine levels after increased glucose flux and glucosamine treatment

Whether the hexosamine biosynthesis pathway acts as a nutrient-sensing pathway is still unclear. Glucose is directed into this pathway by GFAT. Because the activity of GFAT is tightly regulated, we examined whether UDP-hexosamine levels can increase significantly and dose-dependently in response to elevated glucose concentrations. In glucosamine-treated 3T3-L1 adipocytes, inhibition of insulin-stimulated glucose uptake was highly correlated with UDP-hexosamine levels (r=−0.992; p<0.0001 for UDP-GlcNAc and r=−0.996; p<0.0001 for UDP-GalNAc). Incubation of 3T3-L1 adipocytes with 0.1 μM insulin for 24 h in medium containing 1 and 5 mM glucose increased the rate of glucose uptake by 365% and 175% compared to untreated cells, respectively. This increase was not observed when the cells were incubated for 24 h with insulin in medium containing 10 or 25 mM glucose. However, treatment of cells with insulin and 1, 5, 10, or 25 mM glucose resulted in similar increases in levels of UDP-GlcNAc and UDP-GalNAc that always amounted to approx 30–40% above baseline values. This led us to conclude that despite exposure of adipocytes to conditions of extreme and prolonged glucose disposal, the increases in cellular UDP-hexosamines were minimal and not dependent on the extracellular glucose concentration. Taken together, our results are in line with the hypothesis that in glucosamine-treated adipocytes UDP-hexosamines influence insulin-stimulated glucose uptake. However, our observations in glucose-treated adipocytes argue against the possibility that UDP-hexosamines function as a nutrient-sensor, and question the role of the hexosamine biosynthesis pathway in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance.     

Cell-permeable ceramides increase basal glucose incorporation into triacylglycerols but decrease the stimulation by insulin in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

OBJECTIVE: To investigate mechanisms for the regulation of glucose incorporation into triacylgycerols in adipocytes by ceramides, which mediate some actions of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha). DESIGN: The effects of C(2)- and C(6)-ceramides (N-acetyl- and N-hexanoyl-sphingosines, respectively) on glucose uptake and incorporation into triacylglycerols and pathways of signal tansduction were measured in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. RESUTLS: C(6)-ceramide increased basal 2-deooxyglucose uptake but decreased insulin-stimulated uptake without changing the EC(50) for insulin. Incubating 3T3-L1 adipocytes from 2 to 24 h with C(2)-ceramide progressively increased glucose incorporation into the fatty acid and especially the glycerol moieties of triacylglycerol. These effects were accompanied by increased GLUT1 synthesis resulting from ceramide-induced activation phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, ribosomal S6 kinase and mitogen-activated protein kinase. C(2)-ceramide also increased p21-activated kinase and protein kinase B activities. However, C(2)-ceramide decreased the insulin-stimulated component of these signalling pathways and also glucose incorporation into triacylglycerol after 2 h. CONCLUSIONS: Cell-permeable ceramides can mimic some effects of TNFalpha in producing insulin resistance. However, ceramides also mediate long-term effects that enable 3T3 L1 adipocytes to take up glucose and store triacylglycerols in the absence of insulin. These observations help to explain part of the nature and consequence of TNFalpha-induced insulin resistance and the control of fat accumulation in adipocytes in insulin resistance and obesity.     

葡萄糖和胰岛素对3T3-L1脂肪细胞内脏脂肪素mRNA表达的影响

目的研究不同浓度葡萄糖和胰岛素对3T3-L1脂肪细胞中内脏脂肪素（Visfatin）mRNA表达的影响。方法通过real—time RT-PCR方法检测不同浓度葡萄糖和胰岛素培养下3T3-L1脂肪细胞Visfatin mRNA的表达。结果葡萄糖增加了3T3-L1脂肪细胞Visfatin mRNA的表达;胰岛素降低其表达。结论葡萄糖和胰岛素对3T3-L1脂肪细胞中Visfatin mRNA的表达有凋控作用。     

Advanced glycation end products attenuate cellular insulin sensitivity by increasing the generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species in adipocytes

Advanced glycation end products (AGE) have been observed in various pathological conditions especially in diabetes mellitus. However, it is unclear as to whether AGE are involved in insulin resistance in adipose tissues. In this study, we examined the effects of AGE on insulin sensitivity in adipocytes by examining the effects of AGE and its mechanisms on the glucose uptake in adipocytes and adipocyte differentiation. Glucose-, glyceraldehyde-, or glycolaldehyde-derived AGE inhibited the differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells. These AGE also inhibited the glucose uptake in the absence or presence of insulin, which were completely prevented by antibody against AGE or receptor for AGE (RAGE). The AGE increased the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, and the effects of AGE on glucose uptake were completely reversed by the treatment with an anti-oxidant, N-acetylcysteine. The AGE also induced the expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, which has been implicated in the development of obesity-associated glucose intolerance, in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Our present study suggests that AGE-RAGE interaction inhibits the glucose uptake through the overgeneration of intracellular ROS, thus indicating that it is involved in the development of obesity-related insulin resistance.     

人白血病相关蛋白16基因对3T3-L1脂肪细胞葡萄糖摄取及过氧化物酶体增殖物激活受体γ活性的影响

目的探讨人白血病相关蛋白（LRP）16对3T3-L1脂肪细胞葡萄糖摄取及过氧化物酶体增殖物激活受体（PRAR）γ活性的影响。方法利用脂质体转染及慢病毒介导的RNA干扰技术构建LRP16过表达、抑制表达及对照细胞系。检测LRP16对细胞葡萄糖摄取的影响。Luciferase法检测LRP16对PPAR反应元件（PPRE）相对荧光素酶活性的影响。Western Blot法检测LRP16对PPARγ及葡萄糖转运蛋白（GluT）-4表达的影响。结果（1）成功构建LRP16过表达、抑制表达及对照细胞系。（2）过表达LRP16抑制细胞胰岛素刺激的葡萄糖摄取;抑制表达LRP16促进细胞胰岛素刺激的葡萄糖摄取。（3）LRP16剂量依赖性的抑制COS-7细胞PPRE的相对荧光素酶活性;（4）LRP16抑制脂肪细胞PPARγ及GluT-4蛋白表达。结论LRP16通过下调PPAR7活．眭抑制3T3-L1脂肪细胞葡萄糖摄取导致胰岛素抵抗。     

The inability of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activation to stimulate GLUT4 translocation indicates additional signaling pathways are required for insulin-stimulated glucose uptake.

Recent experimental evidence has focused attention to the role of two molecules, insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-kinase), in linking the insulin receptor to glucose uptake; IRS-1 knockout mice are insulin resistant, and pharmacological inhibitors of PI3-kinase block insulin-stimulated glucose uptake. To investigate the role of PI3-kinase and IRS-1 in insulin-stimulated glucose uptake we examined whether stimulation of insulin-sensitive cells with platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) or with interleukin 4 (IL-4) stimulates glucose uptake; the activated PDGF receptor (PDGFR) directly binds and activates PI3-kinase, whereas the IL-4 receptor (IL-4R) activates PI3-kinase via IRS-1 or the IRS-1-related molecule 4PS. We found that stimulation of 3T3-L1 adipocytes with PDGF resulted in tyrosine phosphorylation of the PDGFR and activation of PI3-kinase in these cells. To examine whether IL-4 stimulates glucose uptake, L6 myoblasts were engineered to overexpress GLUT4 as well as both chains of the IL-4R (L6/IL-4R/GLUT4); when these L6/IL-4R/GLUT4 myoblasts were stimulated with IL-4, IRS-1 became tyrosine phosphorylated and associated with PI3-kinase. Although PDGF and IL-4 can activate PI3-kinase in the respective cell lines, they do not possess insulin's ability to stimulate glucose uptake and GLUT4 translocation to the plasma membrane. These findings indicate that activation of PI3-kinase is not sufficient to stimulate GLUT4 translocation to the plasma membrane. We postulate that activation of a second signaling pathway by insulin, distinct from PI3-kinase, is necessary for the stimulation of glucose uptake in insulin-sensitive cells.     

外源性硫化氢对胰岛素抵抗脂肪细胞葡萄糖转运体4表达的影响

目的观察外源性硫化氢(H2S)对3T3-L1脂肪细胞胰岛素抵抗(IR)的影响,并探讨其机制。方法用高糖高胰岛素培养3T3-L1脂肪细胞,建立IR细胞模型,外源性H2S供体NaHS(10-5、10-4和10-3mol/L)处理IR 3T3-L1细胞12、24和48 h。MTT法检测细胞活力,葡萄糖氧化酶法检测培养液中的葡萄糖消耗量,2-脱氧-[3H]-D-葡萄糖摄入法检测葡萄糖的摄取。实时定量PCR和Western blot检测葡萄糖转运体4(Glut4)的表达。结果与对照组比较,IR模型组细胞葡萄糖消耗和摄取量以及Glut4 mRNA和蛋白的表达显著降低(均为P<0.05)。与对照组比较,所有浓度的NaHS均未影响细胞活力。与IR模型组比较,NaHS(10-4和10-3mol/L)处理24和48 h显著增加细胞葡萄糖消耗和摄取量以及Glut4 mRNA和蛋白的表达(均P<0.05)。结论外源性H2S改善了高糖高胰岛素诱导的脂肪细胞的IR,其机制可能与H2S上调Glut4的表达有关。     

Lentiviral short hairpin ribonucleic acid-mediated knockdown of GLUT4 in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

Adipose tissue is an important insulin target organ, and 3T3-L1 cells are a model cell line for adipocytes. In this study, we have used lentivirus-mediated short hairpin RNA (shRNA) for functional gene knockdown in 3T3-L1 adipocytes to assess the molecular mechanisms of insulin signaling. We chose to target GLUT4 to validate this approach. We showed that lentiviruses efficiently delivered transgenes and small interfering RNA (siRNA) into fully differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes. We established a strategy for identifying efficient siRNA sequences for gene knockdown by transfecting 293 cells with the target gene fluorescent fusion protein plasmid along with a plasmid that expresses shRNA. Using these methods, we identified highly efficient siGLUT4 sequences. We demonstrated that lentivirus-mediated shRNA against GLUT4 reduced endogenous GLUT4 expression to almost undetectable levels in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Interestingly, insulin-stimulated glucose uptake was only reduced by 50-60%, suggesting that another glucose transporter mediates part of this effect. When siGLUT1 was introduced into GLUT4-deficient adipocytes, insulin-stimulated glucose uptake was essentially abolished, indicating that both GLUT4 and GLUT1 contribute to insulin-stimulated glucose transport in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. We also found that GLUT4 knockdown led to impaired insulin-responsive aminopeptidase protein expression that was dependent on whether GLUT4 was knocked down in the differentiating or differentiated stage. We further found that GLUT4 expression was not required for adipogenic differentiation but was necessary for full lipogenic capacity of differentiated adipocytes. These studies indicate that lentiviral shRNA constructs provide an excellent approach to deliver functional siRNAs into 3T3-L1 adipocytes for studying insulin signaling and adipocyte biology.     

Differential regulation of two distinct glucose transporter species expressed in 3T3-L1 adipocytes: effect of chronic insulin and tolbutamide treatment.

The HepG2-type glucose transporter (HepG2-GT) is expressed in 3T3-L1 fibroblasts and adipocytes. In contrast, the acutely insulin-regulatable glucose transporter (IRGT) is expressed only in the adipocytes. In the present study, the expression of the IRGT was shown to increase in parallel with the acquisition of acutely insulin-stimulated glucose uptake during differentiation of these cells, whereas the level of the HepG2-GT decreased during the course of differentiation in parallel with a decline in basal glucose uptake. We examined the effects of chronic insulin and tolbutamide treatment on glucose transporter activity in conjunction with the expression of these two glucose transporter species in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Treatment of adipocytes with insulin, tolbutamide, or both agents in combination increased 2-deoxyglucose uptake, HepG2-GT protein, and HepG2-GT mRNA levels in parallel. The effect of combined insulin/tolbutamide administration on these three parameters was greater than the effect of either treatment alone. In contrast, these treatments either had no significant effect or decreased levels of IRGT protein and mRNA. We conclude that chronic treatment of 3T3-L1 adipocytes with insulin or tolbutamide increases glucose uptake primarily by means of a selective increase in the expression of the HepG2-GT. We suggest that part of the in vivo hypoglycemic effect of insulin and sulfonylureas may involve an increased expression of the HepG2-GT.     

游离脂肪酸诱导3T3-L1脂肪细胞胰岛素抵抗的分子机制

目的研究游离脂肪酸（FFA）对3T3-L1脂肪细胞IKKβ及胰岛素信号转导蛋白的影响,探讨FFA诱导胰岛素抵抗（IR）的分子机制。方法诱导成熟的3T3-L1脂肪细胞与0.3-1.0mmol/L的软脂酸（PA）培养6-24h,以2-脱氧-〔^3H〕-D-葡萄糖摄入法观察葡萄糖的转运率,用Western blot检测IKKβ蛋白、IKKβ Ser181磷酸化、IRS-1蛋白、IRS-1 Ser307磷酸化、PI3Kp85蛋白及GluT4蛋白的表达。结果0.3-1.0mmol/LPA作用6-24h后,3T3-L1脂肪细胞的葡萄糖消耗明显减少,同时,Western blot显示,PA对IKKβ及GluT4蛋白的表达无明显影响,却能明显增加IKKβ Ser181及IRS-1 Ser307磷酸化,同时减少IRS-1蛋白和PI3Kp85蛋白的表达。结论FFA可以诱导IR,其分子机制可能与FFA激活IKKβ,使IRS-1丝氨酸残基磷酸化增加而酪氨酸残基磷酸化减少,进而使其下游的PI-3Kp85蛋白表达减少抑制葡萄糖转运有关。     

Nitric oxide stimulates glucose transport through insulin-independent GLUT4 translocation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

OBJECTIVE: It is well known that nitric oxide synthase (NOS) is expressed and that it modulates glucose transport in skeletal muscles. Recent studies have shown that adipose tIssues also express inducible and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). In the present study, we investigated whether nitric oxide (NO) induces glucose uptake in adipocytes, and the signaling pathway involved in the NO-stimulated glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. METHODS: First, we determined the expression of eNOS in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, and then these cells were treated with the NO donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and/or insulin, and glucose uptake and phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1 and Akt were evaluated. Moreover, we examined the effects of a NO scavenger, a guanylate cyclase inhibitor or dexamethasone on SNP-stimulated glucose uptake and GLUT4 translocation. RESULTS: SNP at a concentration of 50 mmol/l increased 2-deoxyglucose uptake (1.8-fold) without phosphorylation of IRS-1 and Akt. Treatment with the NO scavenger or guanylate cyclase inhibitor decreased SNP-stimulated glucose uptake to the basal level. Dexamethasone reduced both insulin- and SNP-stimulated glucose uptake with impairment of GLUT4 translocation. CONCLUSION: NO is capable of stimulating glucose transport through GLUT4 translocation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, via a mechanism different from the insulin signaling pathway.     

Leptin-mediated inhibition of the insulin-stimulated increase in fatty acid uptake in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes

The effects of insulin and leptin on fatty acid uptake in differentiated (adipocytes) and undifferentiated 3T3-L1 cells were investigated. It was demonstrated that in undifferentiated 3T3-L1 cells, insulin and leptin have no effect on fatty acid uptake. In differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes, insulin had a concentration-dependent stimulatory effect on fatty acid uptake, whereas leptin on its own had no effect. Leptin, when coincubated with 10 nmol/L insulin, resulted in a concentration-dependent inhibition of the insulin-stimulated fatty acid uptake in differentiated 3T3-L1 cells. These results indicate that leptin has a direct inhibitory effect on the stimulation of fatty acid uptake by insulin in differentiated murine adipocytes.     

Berberine stimulates glucose transport through a mechanism distinct from insulin

Berberine exerts a hypoglycemic effect, but the mechanism remains unknown. In the present study, the effect of berberine on glucose uptake was characterized in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. It was revealed that berberine stimulated glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 adipocytes in a dose- and time-dependent manner with the maximal effect at 12 hours. Glucose uptake was increased by berberine in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes as well. Berberine-stimulated glucose uptake was additive to that of insulin in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, even at the maximal effective concentrations of both components. Unlike insulin, the effect of berberine on glucose uptake was insensitive to wortmannin, an inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, and SB203580, an inhibitor of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase. Berberine activated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2, but PD98059, an ERK kinase inhibitor, only decreased berberine-stimulated glucose uptake by 32%. Berberine did not induce Ser473 phosphorylation of Akt nor enhance insulin-induced phosphorylation of Akt. Meanwhile, the expression and cellular localization of glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) were not altered by berberine. Berberine did not increase GLUT1 gene expression. However, genistein, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, completely blocked berberine-stimulated glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and preadipocytes, suggesting that berberine may induce glucose transport via increasing GLUT1 activity. In addition, berberine increased adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase and acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase phosphorylation. These findings suggest that berberine increases glucose uptake through a mechanism distinct from insulin, and activated adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase seems to be involved in the metabolic effect of berberine.     

Insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 leads to insulin resistance in adipocytes

CONTEXT: Transgenic mice overexpressing IGF binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) have insulin resistance with reduced uptake of 2-deoxyglucose in muscle and adipose tissue. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to investigate the effects of IGFBP-3 on glucose uptake in adipocytes. RESULTS: In 3T3-L1 adipocytes, IGFBP-3 reduced insulin-stimulated but not basal glucose uptake. This was independent of IGF binding because IGFBP-2 and IGFBP-1 had no effect, whereas two non-IGF binding mutants of IGFBP-3 were inhibitory. The effect of IGFBP-3 was independent of the blockade of the IGF-I receptor. A mutant form of IGFBP-3 that does not translocate to the nucleus or bind retinoid X receptor-alpha was able to inhibit insulin-stimulated glucose uptake, indicating that nuclear translocation and retinoid X receptor-alpha binding are not essential for this IGFBP-3 action. IGFBP-3 reduced insulin-stimulated glucose transporter-4 translocation to the plasma membrane and reduced threonine phosphorylation of Akt. Collectively, our data indicate that IGFBP-3 impacts on the insulin signaling pathway to inhibit insulin-stimulated glucose uptake independent of IGFs and through nonnuclear mechanisms. Finally, we showed that IGFBP-3 inhibited insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in omental but not s.c. adipose tissue explants. CONCLUSION: IGFBP-3 may contribute to insulin resistance in adipocytes.     

Enhanced long-chain fatty acid uptake contributes to overaccumulation of triglyceride in hyperinsulinemic insulin-resistant 3T3-L1 adipocytes

The precise pathogenesis of obesity remains controversial. In obesity, diminished adipose glucose utilization suggests that some other substrates may be responsible for the adipose triglyceride (TG) overaccumulation. Here we attempted to evaluate if long-chain fatty acid (LCFA) flux was modulated by a physiologically relevant condition of hyperinsulinemia in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and if the altered LCFA influx might eventually contribute to the TG overaccumulation in obesity. The effects of prolonged insulin exposure to adipocytes on basal, insulin-stimulated LCFA uptake as well as intracellular LCFA metabolism were measured. Prolonged insulin exposure was found to induce insulin resistance (IR) yet enhance basal and insulin-stimulated LCFA uptake in normoglycemic condition, and the addition of high glucose exacerbated these abnormalities of both glucose and LCFA influx. Along with the enhanced LCFA uptake was an increase in the rates of intracellular LCFA deposition and incorporation into TG; but a decrease was found in basal and insulin-suppressive LCFA oxidation, as well as in isoproterenol-induced fatty acid efflux. Inhibition of either phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase or mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway did not prevent the induction of IR, whereas the enhanced basal and insulin-stimulated LCFA uptake was abrogated by inhibition of MAPK pathway. In hyperinsulinemic insulin-resistant 3T3-L1 adipocytes, basal and insulin-stimulated LCFA uptake tends to increase via a MAPK-dependent mechanism. The increment of LCFA influx predominantly accounts for TG overaccumulation, but not for mitochondrial oxidation, and is prone to retain within adipocytes. These findings may interpret the plausible mechanism of pathogenesis for obesity in hyperinsulinemia-associated IR.