Exosomal miR-140–3p and miR-143–3p from TGF-β1-treated pancreatic stellate cells target BCL2 mRNA to increase β-cell apoptosis

People with chronic pancreatitis (CP) normally develop a fibrotic pancreas with reduced β-cell mass. Limited studies have focused on the development and pathogenesis of CP-related diabetes. MiRNAs packaged as exosomes are the key regulators of β-cell dysfunction. This study aimed to define the effect of exosomal miRNA from activated pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) on β-cells.Exosomes in the supernatants of mouse PSCs lines were extracted via ultracentrifugation and then identified. The role of exosomes secreted by transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)-treated PSCs in β-cell function was assessed. MiRNAs were prepared from exosomes extracted from TGF-β1-treated and untreated PSCs (T-Exo or C-Exo), and the miRNA expression profiles were compared by microarray. Then, miR-140-3p and miR-143-3p were overexpressed or inhibited in MIN6 cells and islets to determine their molecular and functional effects.Exosomes were the predominant extracellular vesicles secreted by PSCs into the culture medium. The MIN6 cells incubated with T-Exo had less insulin secretion and lower viability than the MIN6 cells incubated with PBS or C-Exo. MiR-140-3p and miR-143-3p were notably upregulated in T-Exo. Enhancing the expression of miR-140-3p and miR-143-3p in β-cells decreased the cell count and viability and increased the cleaved caspase-3 levels. Mechanistically, T-Exo mediated the intercellular transfer of miR-140-3p and miR-143-3p by targeting the B-cell lymphoma 2 gene in recipient β-cells to induce cell death.Exosomal miRNA transfer as a communication mode between PSCs and β-cells, which may be explored for its therapeutic utility.