Interleukin-1 and beta-cell function: more than one second messenger?

Cytokines, in particular IL-1, released mainly by infiltrating macrophages, can be one of the key mediators of immune-induced beta-cell destruction in IDDM. IL-1 is able to induce suppression of insulin release and biosynthesis in cultured rat pancreatic islets. In addition, the cytokine shows clear cytotoxic effects leading to beta-cell death. The proposed mechanisms of action of IL-1 after binding to the beta-cell receptors are varied. Concerning the cytotoxic effects of the cytokine, the role of oxygen free radicals, mainly derived from arachidonate metabolism (see Fig. 1) is clear, and possibly potentiated by a cytosolic Na(+)-mediated alkalinization of the beta-cell exposed to the cytokine. In fact, an increased influx of Na+ may explain some of the cytotoxicity since it results in concomitant water uptake leading to swelling of the endoplasmic reticulum. NO formation also seems to be related to the cytokine-induced cytotoxicity since inhibition of the NO synthase abolishes the effects of the cytokine (see Fig. 1). In relation to the inhibitory effects of the cytokine on the beta-cell, different studies point toward almost all known second messenger systems already described for several hormones, such as cAMP formation, increased phospholipase C activity, changes in cytosolic Ca++, and altered gene transcription (see Fig. 1). Of particular interest is the protease activation associated with IL-1 (a serine protease) that seems to be clearly connected with the effects of the cytokine upon the beta-cell. In conclusion, the different studies devoted to the problem of IL-1 signal transduction on the beta-cell seem to indicate that the action of the cytokine on the pancreatic insulin-secreting cells is not associated with an individual second messenger system but rather seems to be related to a plurifactorial transduction system.