Resistin is expressed in pancreatic islets.
Resistin, a recently described adipocyte factor, is regulated by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) agonists. While resistin has been proposed to mediate insulin resistance in rodents, little is known about human resistin and its expression in pancreatic islets has not been tested. The goal of the present study was therefore to analyze whether resistin, like PPARgamma, is expressed in islets. Human islets from seven donors were analyzed by quantitative RT-PCR revealing resistin expression in all samples. Immunohistochemistry using a resistin-specific antibody on human pancreatic sections localized resistin protein to the islets. Mouse resistin was also detected in the Min6 beta cell line. Interestingly, we found a 4-fold increase in islet resistin expression in insulin resistant A-ZIP transgenic compared to wild-type mice. Our results demonstrate that resistin is expressed in islets and up-regulated in insulin resistance and thereby shed new light on the role of resistin in mice and humans.
Minn
Alexandra H
AH
Endocrinology Section, Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53792, USA.
Patterson
Noelle B
NB
Pack
Stephanie
S
Hoffmann
Steven C
SC
Gavrilova
Oksana
O
Vinson
Charles
C
Harlan
David M
DM
Shalev
Anath
A
D000818:Animals; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006729:Hormones, Ectopic / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor; D011506:Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D052243:Resistin; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D015854:Up-Regulation
D006729:Hormones, Ectopic; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D011506:Proteins; C499624:RETN protein, human; C486574:RETNLB protein, human; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D052243:Resistin; C499623:Retn protein, mouse; C413576:Retnla protein, mouse; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor