OBJECTIVE-Extracellular nucleotides are important mediators of inflammatory responses and could also impact metabolic homeostasis. Type 2 purinergic (P2) receptors bind extracellular nucleotides and are expressed by major peripheral tissues responsible for glucose homeostasis. CD39/ENTPD1 is the dominant vascular and immune cell ectoenzyme that hydrolyzes extracellular nucleotides to regulate purinergic signaling.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS-We have studiedCd39/Entpd1-null mice to determine whether any associated changes in extracellular nucleotide concentrations influence glucose homeostasis.RESULTS-Cd39/Entpd1-null mice have impaired glucose tolerance and decreased insulin sensitivity with significantly higher plasma insulin levels. Hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp studies indicate altered hepatic glucose metabolism. These effects are mimicked in vivo by injection into wild-type mice of either exogenous ATP or an ecto-ATPase inhibitor, ARL-67156, and by exposure of hepatocytes to extracellular nucleotides in vitro. Increased serum interleukin-1, interleukin-6, interferon-␥, and tumor necrosis factor-␣ levels are observed in Cd39/Entpd1-null mice in keeping with a proinflammatory phenotype. Impaired insulin sensitivity is accompanied by increased activation of hepatic c-Jun NH 2 -terminal kinase/ stress-activated protein kinase in Cd39/Entpd1 mice after injection of ATP in vivo. This results in decreased tyrosine phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate-2 with impeded insulin signaling.
CONCLUSIONS-CD39/Entpd1is a modulator of extracellular nucleotide signaling and also influences metabolism. Deletion of Cd39/Entpd1 both directly and indirectly impacts insulin regulation and hepatic glucose metabolism. Extracellular nucleotides serve as "metabolokines," indicating further links between inflammation and associated metabolic derangements. Diabetes 57:2311-2320, 2008 P urinergic signaling elements comprise a ubiquitous sensing network within the extracellular environment. In this system, extracellular nucleotides, such as ATP, ADP, and UTP, and extracellular nucleosides, such as adenosine, trigger differential cellular responses (1,2). Purinergic signaling pathways require extracellular nucleotide release mechanisms, purinergic receptors for these mediators (type 2 purinergic [P2] receptors), and regulated expression of ectonucleotidases that hydrolyze extracellular nucleotides to generate adenosine (3-5). Extracellular nucleotides are provided by the secretion/release of intracellular substrates, and levels are increased in hypoxia, injury, mechanical stress, and inflammation.Several reports suggest roles for extracellular nucleotides and nucleosides in glucose homeostasis (e.g., stimulation of insulin secretion from islets [6 -8], modulation of glucose uptake [9,10]). P2 receptors are expressed by insulin-sensitive tissues and also by immune cells. Extracellular nucleotides activate inflammatory pathways, inducing expression of proinflammatory cytokines including interleukin-1 (11), interferon-␥ (12), and...