The deleterious effect of chronic activation of the IL-1 system on type 2 diabetes and other metabolic diseases is well documented. However, a possible physiological role for IL-1 in glucose metabolism has remained unexplored. Here we found that feeding induced a physiological increase in the number of peritoneal macrophages that secreted IL-1, in a glucose-dependent manner. Subsequently, IL-1 contributed to the postprandial stimulation of insulin secretion. Accordingly, lack of endogenous IL-1 signaling in mice during refeeding and obesity diminished the concentration of insulin in plasma. IL-1 and insulin increased the uptake of glucose into macrophages, and insulin reinforced a pro-inflammatory pattern via the insulin receptor, glucose metabolism, production of reactive oxygen species, and secretion of IL-1 mediated by the NLRP3 inflammasome. Postprandial inflammation might be limited by normalization of glycemia, since it was prevented by inhibition of the sodium-glucose cotransporter SGLT2. Our findings identify a physiological role for IL-1 and insulin in the regulation of both metabolism and immunity. 30reactive oxygen species production, and NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated IL-1β secretion. 31Post-prandial inflammation is limited by normalization of glycemia and can be prevented by 32 inhibition of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2). Our findings identify a physiological 33 role for IL-1β and insulin in the regulation of both metabolism and immunity.

Pancreatic-islet inflammation contributes to the failure of β cell insulin secretion during obesity and type 2 diabetes. However, little is known about the nature and function of resident immune cells in this context or in homeostasis. Here we show that interleukin (IL)-33 was produced by islet mesenchymal cells and enhanced by a diabetes milieu (glucose, IL-1β, and palmitate). IL-33 promoted β cell function through islet-resident group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) that elicited retinoic acid (RA)-producing capacities in macrophages and dendritic cells via the secretion of IL-13 and colony-stimulating factor 2. In turn, local RA signaled to the β cells to increase insulin secretion. This IL-33-ILC2 axis was activated after acute β cell stress but was defective during chronic obesity. Accordingly, IL-33 injections rescued islet function in obese mice. Our findings provide evidence that an immunometabolic crosstalk between islet-derived IL-33, ILC2s, and myeloid cells fosters insulin secretion.

Pathological activation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is associated with the metabolic syndrome, and the new onset of type 2 diabetes can be delayed by RAS inhibition. In animal models of type 2 diabetes, inhibition of the RAS improves insulin secretion. However, the direct effects of angiotensin II on islet function and underlying mechanisms independent of changes in blood pressure remain unclear. Here we show that exposure of human and mouse islets to angiotensin II induces interleukin (IL)-1-dependent expression of IL-6 and MCP-1, enhances b-cell apoptosis, and impairs mitochondrial function and insulin secretion. In vivo, mice fed a high-fat diet and treated with angiotensin II and the vasodilator hydralazine to prevent hypertension showed defective glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and deteriorated glucose tolerance. Application of an anti-IL-1b antibody reduced the deleterious effects of angiotensin II on islet inflammation, restored insulin secretion, and improved glycemia. We conclude that angiotensin II leads to islet dysfunction via induction of inflammation and independent of vasoconstriction. Our findings reveal a novel role for the RAS and an additional rationale for the treatment of type 2 diabetic patients with an IL-1b antagonist.Obesity and type 2 diabetes are related to hypertension and to increased activation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) (1-3). Multiple trials have shown that RAS blockade reduces the incidence of new-onset type 2 diabetes in high-risk populations (4). On the basis of several meta-analyses, this reduction ranges between 22% and 30% (5,6). In addition, in different animals models of type 2 diabetes, treatment with either angiotensinreceptor blockers or ACE inhibitors improves glucose tolerance and b-cell function (2,7-10). All of this suggests a role for angiotensin II in the development of type 2 diabetes.The RAS is classically known as a systemic hormonal system regulating blood pressure, fluid balance, and electrolyte absorption (11). Finding a local RAS in various tissues and organs such as brain, kidney (12), heart (13), liver, and adipose tissue (14) has expanded its role to diverse physiological functions in addition to its effects on circulation. All key components of the RAS also have been localized to the endocrine pancreas, including the precursor angiotensinogen and the angiotensin II type 1 receptor (15,16). Furthermore, obesity and hyperglycemia increases the expression of the local RAS in pancreatic islets (17), adipose tissue (18), and skeletal muscle.