Dual role of neuroplastin in pancreatic β cells: Regulating insulin secretion and promoting islet inflammation

Mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor (MANF) is an endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-resident secretory protein that reduces inflammation and promotes proliferation in pancreatic β cells. Numerous studies have highlighted the potential of MANF as a therapeutic agent for diabetes mellitus (DM), making it essential to understand the mechanisms underlying MANF's functions. In our previous search for a molecule that mediates MANF signaling, we identified Neuroplastin (NPTN) as a binding partner of MANF that localizes on the cell surface. However, the roles of NPTN in pancreatic β cells remain unclear. In this study, we generated β cell-specific