Conclusions/interpretation
These results indicate that TF/FVIIa signalling has a negative effect on beta cell function and promotes beta cell death in response to cytokines.
Methods
Human pancreatic islets and MIN-6 beta cells were used to study TF mRNA and protein expression using real-time PCR, immunoblotting and flow cytometry. The effects of TF/FVIIa on cytokine-induced beta cell death were studied in MIN-6 cells and human pancreatic islets using cell-death ELISA and propidium iodide and cleaved caspase-3 staining. Effects of TF/FVIIa on the phosphorylation of p38, extracellular signal-regulated kinase and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) were investigated by immunoblotting. Glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) from human islets was measured with an insulin ELISA.
Results
A combination of the cytokines IL-1β, TNF-α and IFN-γ induced TF expression in human pancreatic islets and in beta cells. TF/FVIIa did not affect basal beta cell death but, independently of downstream coagulation activity, augmented beta cell death in response to cytokines. The effect of TF/FVIIa on cytokine-induced beta cell death was found to be dependent on the stress kinase JNK, since FVIIa addition potentiated cytokine-induced JNK activation and JNK inhibition abolished the effect of TF/FVIIa on cytokine-induced beta cell death. Moreover, TF/FVIIa signalling resulted in inhibition of GSIS from human pancreatic islets. Conclusions/interpretation: These results indicate that TF/FVIIa signalling has a negative effect on beta cell function and promotes beta cell death in response to cytokines.