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Glucose is a ubiquitous and essential source of energy for all living organisms. Although mammals have evolved ways to convert other nutritional molecules to ATP, the preference for dietary glucose appears to be preserved. In rodents, the immediate detection of ingested glucose potently reinforces intake, hierarchically organizing behaviors towards glucose-yielding substances, and away from other types of food including other sugars. Taste is the primary sense linked to nutrient selection. Until recently, it was thought that most mammalian species utilize a single broadly tuned receptor to detect all simple sugars. Indeed, this “sweet” receptor, which comprises a heterodimer of the T1R2 and T1R3 proteins, binds multiple natural sugars (e.g., glucose, fructose, sucrose, maltose), as well as various other chemicals that yield little to no energy (e.g., low calorie sweeteners, sugar alcohols) and some d-amino acids. The neural signal originating from the sweet receptor is hardwired into brain circuits that drive eating and drinking behaviors, but it is an unreliable indicator of nutrient quality and quantity.

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Increased TGF-β/Activin-Smad2 signaling is associated with pancreatic β-cell dysfunction and glucose intolerance in gestational diabetes mellitus

Talía Boronat-Belda, Hilda Ferrero, Sergi Soriano, Elena Ribes-García, ... Paloma Alonso-Magdalena

Increased TGF-β/Activin-Smad2 signaling is associated with pancreatic β-cell dysfunction and glucose intolerance in gestational diabetes mellitus

Background

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is the most common metabolic disease during pregnancy and increases the prevalence of type 2 diabetes in both mothers and children. GDM management provides an opportunity to prevent and lower the global burden of diabetes across life. Molecular mechanisms underlying GDM are not completely understood. In this study, we explore the role of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) signaling in GDM, as this pathway reportedly affects pancreatic β-cell development, function, and proliferation.

Methods

We developed a GDM animal model. Serum circulating levels of TGF-β family ligands were measured in mice and human GDM. Pancreatic TGF-β signaling was investigated via gene and protein expression.

Results

Our GDM animal model recapitulates the main pathophysiological features of human GDM, including glucose intolerance, decreased insulin sensitivity and pancreatic β-cell malfunction. Islets from GDM mice showed impaired insulin secretion and content, altered ion channel activity, and decreased β-cell replication rate. This was accompanied by increased Smad2 signaling activation. Elevated serum activin-A and inhibin levels were found in mice and human GDM, suggesting their role as upstream signaling transducers of pancreatic Smad2 activation. Pharmacological inhibition of TGF-β/Activin-Smad2 signaling in mouse pancreatic islets resulted in improved pancreatic β-cell function and regeneration capacity.

Conclusions

Our data suggest that disruption of the pancreatic Smad2 pathway plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of GDM, contributing to abnormal glucose homeostasis and inadequate insulin secretion. Attenuation of this signaling pathway may represent a putative therapeutic target for GDM.

Articles in Press

Increased TGF-β/Activin-Smad2 signaling is associated with pancreatic β-cell dysfunction and glucose intolerance in gestational diabetes mellitus

Talía Boronat-Belda, Hilda Ferrero, Sergi Soriano, Elena Ribes-García, ... Paloma Alonso-Magdalena

Increased TGF-β/Activin-Smad2 signaling is associated with pancreatic β-cell dysfunction and glucose intolerance in gestational diabetes mellitus

Background

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is the most common metabolic disease during pregnancy and increases the prevalence of type 2 diabetes in both mothers and children. GDM management provides an opportunity to prevent and lower the global burden of diabetes across life. Molecular mechanisms underlying GDM are not completely understood. In this study, we explore the role of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) signaling in GDM, as this pathway reportedly affects pancreatic β-cell development, function, and proliferation.

Methods

We developed a GDM animal model. Serum circulating levels of TGF-β family ligands were measured in mice and human GDM. Pancreatic TGF-β signaling was investigated via gene and protein expression.

Results

Our GDM animal model recapitulates the main pathophysiological features of human GDM, including glucose intolerance, decreased insulin sensitivity and pancreatic β-cell malfunction. Islets from GDM mice showed impaired insulin secretion and content, altered ion channel activity, and decreased β-cell replication rate. This was accompanied by increased Smad2 signaling activation. Elevated serum activin-A and inhibin levels were found in mice and human GDM, suggesting their role as upstream signaling transducers of pancreatic Smad2 activation. Pharmacological inhibition of TGF-β/Activin-Smad2 signaling in mouse pancreatic islets resulted in improved pancreatic β-cell function and regeneration capacity.

Conclusions

Our data suggest that disruption of the pancreatic Smad2 pathway plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of GDM, contributing to abnormal glucose homeostasis and inadequate insulin secretion. Attenuation of this signaling pathway may represent a putative therapeutic target for GDM.

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13th
Helmholtz Diabetes Conference 
Munich, 21-23. Sep 2026

2024 impact factor: 6.6

You are what you eat

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