Imeglimin ameliorates β-cell apoptosis by modulating the endoplasmic reticulum homeostasis pathway.

The effects of imeglimin, a novel anti-diabetes agent, on β-cell function remain unclear. Here, we unveiled the impact of imeglimin on β-cell survival. Treatment with imeglimin augmented mitochondrial function, enhanced insulin secretion, promoted β-cell proliferation, and improved β-cell survival in mouse islets. Imeglimin upregulated the expression of endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-related molecules including Chop (Ddit3), Gadd34 (Ppp1r15a), Atf3, and Sdf2l1, and decreased eIF2α phosphorylation, after treatment with thapsigargin, and restored global protein synthesis in β-cells under ER stress. Imeglimin failed to protect ER stress-induced β-cell apoptosis in CHOP-deficient islets or in the presence of GADD34 inhibitor. Treatment with imeglimin showed a significant decrease in the number of apoptotic β-cells and increased β-cell mass in Akita mice. Imeglimin also protected against β-cell apoptosis in both human islets and human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived β-like cells. Taken together, imeglimin modulates ER homeostasis pathway, which results in the prevention of β-cell apoptosis both in vitro and in vivo.