title: Zinc transporter gene expression is regulated by pro-inflammatory cytokines: a potential role for zinc transporters in beta-cell apoptosis?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Beta-cells are extremely rich in zinc and zinc homeostasis is regulated by zinc transporter proteins. beta-cells are sensitive to cytokines, interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) has been associated with beta-cell dysfunction and -death in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. This study explores the regulation of zinc transporters following cytokine exposure.
  
  
  METHODS
  The effects of cytokines IL-1beta, interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) on zinc transporter gene expression were measured in INS-1-cells and rat pancreatic islets. Being the more sensitive transporter, we further explored ZnT8 (Slc30A8): the effect of ZnT8 over expression on cytokine induced apoptosis was investigated as well as expression of the insulin gene and two apoptosis associated genes, BAX and BCL2.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our results showed a dynamic response of genes responsible for beta-cell zinc homeostasis to cytokines: IL-1beta down regulated a number of zinc-transporters, most strikingly ZnT8 in both islets and INS-1 cells. The effect was even more pronounced when mixing the cytokines. TNF-alpha had little effect on zinc transporter expression. IFN-gamma down regulated a number of zinc transporters. Insulin expression was down regulated by all cytokines. ZnT8 over expressing cells were more sensitive to IL-1beta induced apoptosis whereas no differences were observed with IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, or a mixture of cytokines.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The zinc transporting system in beta-cells is influenced by the exposure to cytokines. Particularly ZnT8, which has been associated with the development of diabetes, seems to be cytokine sensitive.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, University of Aarhus, Aarhus, Denmark. le@studmed.au.dk
authors.forename: Laerke
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Egefjord
authors.forename: Jens Ledet
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Jensen
authors.forename: Claus Heiner
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Bang-Berthelsen
authors.forename: Andreas Brønden
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Petersen
authors.forename: Kamille
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Smidt
authors.forename: Ole
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Schmitz
authors.forename: Allan Ertman
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Karlsen
authors.forename: Flemming
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pociot
authors.forename: Fabrice
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Chimienti
authors.forename: Jørgen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rungby
authors.forename: Nils E
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Magnusson