BACKGROUND:
We examined components of systemic and intestinal renin-angiotensin system on gut barrier permeability, glucose homeostasis, systemic inflammation, and progression of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in human subjects and mice with type 1 diabetes.
METHODS:
Type 1 diabetes individual with (n=18) and without (n=20) DR and controls (n=34) were examined for changes in gut-regulated components of the immune system, gut leakage markers (FABP2 [fatty acid binding protein 2] and PGN [peptidoglycan]), and Ang II (angiotensin II);
Akita
mice were orally administered a
Lactobacillus paracasei
(LP) probiotic expressing humanized ACE2 (angiotensin-converting enzyme 2) protein (LP-ACE2) as either a prevention or an intervention.
Akita
mice with genetic overexpression of
humanAce2
by small intestine epithelial cells (
Vil-Cre.hAce2KI-Akita
) were similarly examined. After 9 months of type 1 diabetes, circulatory, enteral, and ocular end points were assessed.
RESULTS:
Type 1 diabetes subjects exhibit elevations in gut-derived circulating immune cells (Th17 and ILC1 cells) and higher gut leakage markers, which were positively correlated with plasma Ang II and DR severity. The LP-ACE2 prevention cohort and genetic overexpression of intestinal ACE2 preserved barrier integrity, reduced inflammatory response, improved hyperglycemia, and delayed development of DR. Improvements in glucose homeostasis were due to intestinal MasR activation, resulting in a GSK-3β/c-Myc-mediated decrease in intestinal glucose transporter expression. In the LP-ACE2 intervention cohort, gut barrier integrity was improved and DR reversed, but no improvement in hyperglycemia was observed. These data support that the beneficial effects of LP-ACE2 on DR are due to the action of ACE2, not improved glucose homeostasis.
CONCLUSIONS:
Dysregulated systemic and intestinal renin-angiotensin system was associated with worsening gut barrier permeability, gut-derived immune cell activation, systemic inflammation, and progression of DR in human subjects. In
Akita
mice, maintaining intestinal ACE2 expression prevented and reversed DR, emphasizing the multifaceted role of the intestinal renin-angiotensin system in diabetes and DR.