Insights on the Role of Putative Muscle-Derived Factors on Pancreatic Beta Cell Function

• Main Authors: Maria L. Mizgier, Rodrigo Fernández-Verdejo, Julien Cherfan, Michel Pinget, Karim Bouzakri, Jose E. Galgani
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2019-08-01
• Series: Frontiers in Physiology
• Subjects: myokines; miRNA; exosomes; insulin secretion; insulin sensitivity; muscle
• Online Access: https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fphys.2019.01024/full

Skeletal muscle is a main target of insulin action that plays a pivotal role in postprandial glucose disposal. Importantly, skeletal muscle insulin sensitivity relates inversely with pancreatic insulin secretion, which prompted the hypothesis of the existence of a skeletal muscle-pancreas crosstalk mediated through an endocrine factor. The observation that changes in skeletal muscle glucose metabolism are accompanied by altered insulin secretion supports this hypothesis. Meanwhile, a muscle-derived circulating factor affecting in vivo insulin secretion remains elusive. This factor may correspond to peptides/proteins (so called myokines), exosomes and their cargo, and metabolites. We hereby review the most remarkable evidence encouraging the possibility of such inter-organ communication, with special focus on muscle-derived factors that may potentially mediate such skeletal muscle-pancreas crosstalk.