Aims/hypothesis: A major focus in the treatment of diabetes is to identify factors that stimulate endogenous beta cell growth while preserving function. The first 36 amino acids of parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) are sufficient to enhance proliferation and function in rodent and human beta cells in vitro. This study examined whether acute and systemic administration of the amino-terminal PTHrP(1-36) peptide can achieve similar effects in rodent beta cells in vivo.
Methods: Adult male mice were injected with 40, 80 or 160 μg of PTHrP(1-36) per kg body weight or with vehicle for 25 days. Glucose and beta cell homeostasis, as well as expression of differentiation markers and cell cycle genes were analysed.
Results: All three doses of PTHrP(1-36) significantly enhanced beta cell proliferation in vivo at day 25, with 160 μg/kg PTHrP(1-36) increasing proliferation as early as day 5. Importantly, the two higher doses of PTHrP(1-36) caused a significant 30% expansion of beta cell mass, with a short-term improvement in glucose tolerance. PTHrP(1-36) did not cause hypercalcaemia, or change islet number, beta cell size, beta cell death or expression of differentiation markers. Analysis of islet G1/S cell cycle proteins revealed that chronic overabundance of PTHrP(1-139) in the beta cell significantly increased the cell cycle activator cyclin D2 and decreased levels of cyclin-dependent kinase 4 inhibitor (p16( Ink4a ) [Ink4a also known as Cdkn2a]), but acute treatment with PTHrP(1-36) did not.
Conclusions/interpretation: Acute and systemic administration of PTHrP(1-36) increases rodent beta cell proliferation and mass without negatively affecting function or survival. These findings highlight the future potential therapeutic effectiveness of this peptide under diabetes-related pathophysiological conditions.