[HTML][HTML] Sirolimus induces depletion of intracellular calcium stores and mitochondrial dysfunction in pancreatic beta cells

A Lombardi, J Gambardella, XL Du, D Sorriento… - Scientific reports, 2017 - nature.com
A Lombardi, J Gambardella, XL Du, D Sorriento, M Mauro, G Iaccarino, B Trimarco
Scientific reports, 2017nature.com
Sirolimus (rapamycin) is an immunosuppressive drug used in transplantation. One of its
major side effects is the increased risk of diabetes mellitus; however, the exact mechanisms
underlying such association have not been elucidated. Here we show that sirolimus impairs
glucose-stimulated insulin secretion both in human and murine pancreatic islets and in
clonal β cells in a dose-and time-dependent manner. Importantly, we demonstrate that
sirolimus markedly depletes calcium (Ca2+) content in the endoplasmic reticulum and …
Abstract
Sirolimus (rapamycin) is an immunosuppressive drug used in transplantation. One of its major side effects is the increased risk of diabetes mellitus; however, the exact mechanisms underlying such association have not been elucidated. Here we show that sirolimus impairs glucose-stimulated insulin secretion both in human and murine pancreatic islets and in clonal β cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Importantly, we demonstrate that sirolimus markedly depletes calcium (Ca2+) content in the endoplasmic reticulum and significantly decreases glucose-stimulated mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake. Crucially, the reduced mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake is mirrored by a significant impairment in mitochondrial respiration. Taken together, our findings indicate that sirolimus causes depletion of intracellular Ca2+ stores and alters mitochondrial fitness, eventually leading to decreased insulin release. Our results provide a novel molecular mechanism underlying the increased incidence of diabetes mellitus in patients treated with this drug.
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