Elevated glucose metabolism driving pro-inflammatory response in B cells contributes to the progression of type 1 diabetes
Abstract
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease characterized by the immune system's failure to maintain self-tolerance, resulting in the autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells. Although T1D has conventionally been viewed as a T-cell-dominant disease, recent research has emphasized the contribution of B cells in the onset of the disease. However, the mechanism underlying aberrant B cell responses remains unknown. B cell metabolism is a crucial prerequisite for B cell function and the development of adaptive immune responses. Here, we investigated the metabolic features of B cells, first in a cross-sectional cohort and subsequently in non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice, and revealed that there is an increased frequency of high-glucose-avidity (2-NBDGhigh) B cell population that may contribute to T1D progression. Further characterization of the metabolic, transcriptional and functional phenotype of B cells in NOD mice found that elevated glucose avidity is associated with a greater capacity for co-stimulation, proliferation and inflammatory cytokine production. Mechanistically, elevated Myc signaling orchestrated the glucose metabolism and the pro-inflammatory response of B cells in T1D. In vitro experiments demonstrated that pharmacological inhibition of glucose metabolism using metformin and 2-DG reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine production and B cell proliferation. Moreover, the combination of these inhibitors successfully delayed insulitis development, onset of…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a cross-sectional, done in people. Its evidence level is 4 of 5 (Low · observational). Observational designs can show an association but not prove cause.
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