Live-cell imaging of glucose-induced metabolic coupling of β and α cell metabolism in health and type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is characterized by beta and alpha cell dysfunction. We used phasor-FLIM (Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy) to monitor oxidative phosphorylation and glycolysis in living islet cells before and after glucose stimulation. In healthy cells, glucose enhanced oxidative phosphorylation in beta cells and suppressed oxidative phosphorylation in alpha cells. In Type 2 diabetes, glucose increased glycolysis in beta cells, and only partially suppressed oxidative phosphorylation in alpha cells. FLIM uncovers key perturbations in glucose induced metabolism in living islet cells and provides a sensitive tool for drug discovery in diabetes. Using phasor-FLIM (Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy), Wang et al. reveal differential usages of oxidative phosphorylation and glycolysis in living islet cells following glucose stimulation. This study suggests the applicability of FLIM as a drug discovery tool as it reports perturbations in glucose metabolism in living islet cells.

Automated summary

In Type 2 diabetes, there are differential usages of oxidative phosphorylation and glycolysis in living islet cells following glucose stimulation, as revealed by phasor-FLIM. This study suggests the potential applicability of FLIM as a sensitive tool for drug discovery in diabetes by reporting perturbations in glucose metabolism in living islet cells.