Deletion of thioredoxin reductase disrupts redox homeostasis and impairs β-cell function

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been implicated as mediators of pancreatic β-cell damage. While β-cells are thought to be vulnerable to oxidative damage, we have shown, using inhibitors and acute depletions, that thioredoxin reductase, thioredoxin, and peroxiredoxins are the primary mediators of antioxidant defense in β-cells. However, the role of this antioxidant cycle in maintaining redox homeostasis and β-cell survival in vivo remains unclear. Here, we generated mice with a β-cell specific knockout of thioredoxin reductase 1 (Txnrd1.fl/fl; Ins1.Cre/+, βKO). Despite blunted glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, knockout mice maintain normal whole body glucose homeostasis. Unlike pancreatic islets with acute Txnrd1 inhibition, βKO islets do not demonstrate increased sensitivity to continuous ROS. RNA-sequencing analysis revealed that Txnrd1-deficient β-cells have increased expression of Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-regulated genes, and altered expression of genes involved in heme and glutathione metabolism, suggesting an adaptive response. Txnrd1-deficient β-cells also have decreased expression of factors controlling β-cell function and identity which may explain the mild functional impairment. Together, these results suggest that Txnrd1-knockout β-cells compensate for loss of this essential antioxidant pathway by increasing expression of Nrf2-regulated antioxidant genes, allowing for protection from excess ROS at the expense of normal β-cell function and identity. RNA-sequencing of FACS-purified islet beta-cells and islet non-beta cells from mice with a beta-cell specific knockout of the cytoplasmic thioredoxin reductase, Txnrd1, vs. control cells