Downregulation of miR-139-5p contributes to the antiapoptotic effect of liraglutide on the diabetic rat pancreas and INS-1 cells by targeting IRS1

Liraglutide is administered as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist for diabetic patients and can protect pancreatic β-cells by inhibiting their apoptosis. MicroRNA-139-5p (miRNA-139-5p) participates in the regulation of cancer cell apoptosis. However, it is not clear whether miR-139-5p contributes to the anti-apoptotic effect of liraglutide in β-cells. The objective of the present study was to investigate the role of miR-139-5p on apoptosis of pancreatic β-cells. MicroRNA levels in pancreatic tissue from diabetic rats and INS-1 cells treated with liraglutide were measured by real-time quantitative RT-PCR. The role of miR-139-5p on apoptosis was studied by transfecting INS-1 cells with miR-139-5p mimics. The mRNA and protein expression of the target gene, insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS1), were measured by qRT-PCR and Western blot, respectively. Apoptosis in rat pancreatic tissue and INS-1 cells was detected by TUNEL and annexin V/propidium iodide costaining. Apoptosis of pancreatic tissue from diabetic rats and INS-1 cells was decreased by administration of liraglutide. The expression of miR-139-5p increased in the pancreas of diabetic rats and decreased with liraglutide treatment. Incubation with liraglutide (100 nM) for 48 h attenuated the expression of miR-139-5p and increased the mRNA and protein levels of IRS1. Direct regulatory effects of miR-139-5p on IRS1 were found by a dual-luciferase reporter assay. Transfection of INS-1 cells with miR-139-5p mimics led to decreases in the mRNA and protein expression of IRS1. In conclusion, our observations suggest that decreased miR-139-5p expression contributes to the anti-apoptotic effect of liraglutide on the diabetic rat pancreas and INS-1 cells by targeting IRS1.