The immune-mediated elimination of pancreatic beta cells in type 1 diabetes involves release of cytotoxic cytokines such as IL-1β and IFNγ, which induce beta cell death in vitro by mechanisms that are both dependent and independent of nitric oxide (NO). Nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) is a critical signalling molecule in inflammation and is required for expression of the gene encoding inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and of pro-apoptotic genes. NFκB has recently been shown to associate with chromatin-modifying enzymes histone acetyltransferases and histone deacetylases (HDAC), and positive effects of HDAC inhibition have been obtained in several inflammatory diseases. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate whether HDAC inhibition protects beta cells against cytokine-induced toxicity.

The beta cell line, INS-1, or intact rat islets were precultured with HDAC inhibitors suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid or trichostatin A in the absence or presence of IL-1β and IFNγ. Effects on insulin secretion and NO formation were measured by ELISA and Griess reagent, respectively. iNOS levels and NFκB activity were measured by immunoblotting and by immunoblotting combined with electrophoretic mobility shift assay, respectively. Viability was analysed by 3-(4,5-dimethyldiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide and apoptosis by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay and histone-DNA complex ELISA.

HDAC inhibition reduced cytokine-mediated decrease in insulin secretion and increase in iNOS levels, NO formation and apoptosis. IL-1β induced a bi-phasic phosphorylation of inhibitor protein kappa Bα (IκBα) with the 2nd peak being sensitive to HDAC inhibition. No effect was seen on IκBα degradation and NFκB DNA binding.

HDAC inhibition prevents cytokine-induced beta cell apoptosis and impaired beta cell function associated with a downregulation of NFκB transactivating activity.