Klf6 protects β-cells against insulin resistance-induced dedifferentiation

Abstract

Objectives

In the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes, development of insulin resistance triggers an increase in pancreatic β-cell insulin secretion capacity and β-cell number. Failure of this compensatory mechanism is caused by a dedifferentiation of β-cells, which leads to insufficient insulin secretion and diabetic hyperglycemia. The β-cell factors that normally protect against dedifferentiation remain poorly defined. Here, through a systems biology approach, we identify the transcription factor Klf6 as a regulator of β-cell adaptation to metabolic stress.

Methods

We used a β-cell specific Klf6 knockout mouse model to investigate whether Klf6 may be a potential regulator of β-cell adaptation to a metabolic stress.

Results

We show that inactivation of Klf6 in β-cells blunts their proliferation induced by the insulin resistance of pregnancy, high-fat high-sucrose feeding, and insulin receptor antagonism. Transcriptomic analysis showed that Klf6 controls the expression of β-cell proliferation genes and, in the presence of insulin resistance, it prevents the down-expression of genes controlling mature β-cell identity and the induction of disallowed genes that impair insulin secretion. Its expression also limits the transdifferentiation of β-cells into α-cells.

Conclusion

Our study identifies a new transcription factor that protects β-cells against dedifferentiation, and which may be targeted to prevent diabetes development.

Highlights

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  Absence of Klf6 in β-cells leads to a reduction in their proliferation and mass during insulin resistance development.

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  Insulin receptor blockade by S961 leads to a greater dedifferentiation state in β-cell-specific Klf6 knockout mice.

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  Insulin receptor antagonism leads to enhanced β-cell to α-cell transdifferentiation in β-cell-specific Klf6 knockout mice.