Exendin-4, a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, suppresses pancreatic β-cell destruction induced by encephalomyocarditis virus

► Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), a hormone which is secreted from the small intestine during digestion, exhibits many effects, such as anti-inflammatory effects against macrophages and anti-apoptotic effects on β-cells. ► By anti-apoptotic effects on β-cells, inhibiting the infiltration of macrophages into the islets and the expression of macrophage-derived chemical mediators, exendin-4, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, markedly reduced β-cell destruction triggered by encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV). ► Exendin-4 is useful for the prevention of diabetes induced by EMCV.