Selective Deletion of Pten in Pancreatic β Cells Leads to Increased Islet Mass and Resistance to STZ-Induced Diabetes

Abstract

ABSTRACT Phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) is a lipid phosphatase. PTEN inhibits the action of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase and reduces the levels of phosphatidylinositol triphosphate, a crucial second messenger for cell proliferation and survival, as well as insulin signaling. In this study, we deleted Pten specifically in the insulin producing β cells during murine pancreatic development. Pten deletion leads to increased cell proliferation and decreased cell death, without significant alteration of β-cell differentiation. Consequently, the mutant pancreas generates more and larger islets, with a significant increase in total β-cell mass. PTEN loss also protects animals from developing streptozotocin-induced diabetes. Our data demonstrate that PTEN loss in β cells is not tumorigenic but beneficial. This suggests that modulating the PTEN-controlled signaling pathway is a potential approach for β-cell protection and regeneration therapies.