FFAR2 induces apoptosis to protect against T1D

Recent reports have highlighted the roles of free fatty acid receptor 2 (FFAR2) in the regulation of metabolic and inflammatory processes. However, the potential function of FFAR2 in type 1 diabetes (T1D) remains unexplored. Shi and colleagues demonstrate that FFAR2 mRNA is upregulated in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of T1D patients, that NFκB activation induced FFAR2 expression, and that FFAR2 activation induced cell apoptosis through ERK signalling. Finally, FFAR2 agonist treatment attenuated inflammatory response and improved glucose tolerance. These findings make FFAR2 a potential therapeutic target in T1D.

Read the full article at Shi et al. (2014) Journal of Molecular Endocrinology 53 367–380. DOI:10.1530/JME-14-0065