Pancreatic Cell News Volume 3.27 | Jul 10 2012

DIABETES

Cytotoxic Mechanisms Employed by Mouse T Cells to Destroy Pancreatic β-Cells
Researchers used the transfer of genetically modified diabetogenic T cells into normal, mutant, and bone marrow chimeric recipients to test the contribution of major cytotoxic mechanisms in β-cell death. [Diabetes] Abstract

Death Protein 5 and p53-Upregulated Modulator of Apoptosis Mediate the Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-Mitochondrial Dialog Triggering Lipotoxic Rodent and Human β-Cell Apoptosis
This study elucidates the crosstalk between lipotoxic endoplasmic reticulum stress and the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis that causes β-cell death in diabetes. [Diabetes] Abstract

Enhanced Function of Pancreatic Islets Co-Encapsulated with ECM Proteins and Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in a Silk Hydrogel
Researchers demonstrated that encapsulation in silk with both mesenchymal stromal cells and extracellular-matrix (ECM) proteins enhances islet function and, with further development, may have potential as a suitable platform for islet delivery in vivo. [Biomaterials] Abstract

Activation of the Transcription Factor Carbohydrate-Responsive Element-Binding Protein by Glucose Leads to Increased Pancreatic Beta Cell Differentiation in Rats
This work supports the idea that glucose, through the transcription factor carbohydrate-responsive element-binding protein, controls beta cell differentiation from pancreatic progenitors. [Diabetologia] Abstract

Histone Deacetylases 1 and 3 But Not 2 Mediate Cytokine-Induced Beta Cell Apoptosis in INS-1 Cells and Dispersed Primary Islets from Rats and Are Differentially Regulated in the Islets of Type 1 Diabetic Children
The authors investigated which histone deacetylases (HDACs) mediate inflammatory beta cell damage and how the islet content of these HDACs is regulated in recent-onset type 1 diabetes. [Diabetologia] Abstract

Pancreas-Enriched miRNA Refines Endocrine Cell Differentiation
Researchers showed that microRNA-7 (miR-7) is specifically expressed in endocrine precursors and in mature endocrine cells. miR-7 knockdown resulted in Pax6 upregulation and promoted α- and β-cell differentiation. [Development] Abstract

PANCREATIC CANCER

RNA Sequencing of Pancreatic Circulating Tumor Cells Implicates WNT Signaling in Metastasis
Scientists adapted a microfluidic device for efficient capture of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) from an endogenous mouse pancreatic cancer model and subjected CTCs to single-molecule RNA sequencing, identifying Wnt2 as a candidate gene enriched in CTCs. [Nature] Abstract | Press Release

GLP-1 and Glucagon Secretion from a Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor Causing Diabetes and Hyperinsulinemic Hypoglycemia
This is the first description of glucagon and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) secretion from a metastatic pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor causing sequential diabetes and hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia was caused by insulin secretion from hyperplastic β-cells stimulated by tumor-derived GLP-1. [J Clin Endocrinol Metab] Abstract

TRAIL-Engineered Pancreas-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells: Characterization and Cytotoxic Effects on Pancreatic Cancer Cells
Researchers characterized pancreas-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and investigated the effects of tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)-engineered MSCs on pancreatic cancer cells under different culture conditions. [Cancer Gene Ther] Abstract

Hypoxia Inducible Factor-1α Is Necessary for Invasive Phenotype in Vegf-Deleted Islet Cell Tumors
Scientists concluded that the invasive phenotype observed under angiogenesis inhibition requires hypoxia inducible factor-1α, but is not directly caused by acute hypoxia. [Sci Rep] Full Article

CureBeta Snags $8 Million Up Front for Beta-Cell Regeneration Candidates
Janssen is paying Evotec and its collaborators at Harvard University $8 million up front for exclusive access to a series of small molecule and biologic candidates designed to trigger the regeneration of pancreatic beta cells. [Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News] Press Release

Trovagene to Study Trans-Renal KRAS Mutation Detection in Pancreatic Cancer
Trovagene, Inc. announced that they will be collaborating with The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center on the detection of transrenal KRAS mutations in the urine of patients with pancreatic cancer. [Trovagene, Inc.] Press Release

Medistem Receives Notice of Patent Allowance Covering Fat Stem Cell Therapy of Autoimmune Diseases
Medistem Inc. announced notice of allowance from the United States Patent and Trademark Office for a patent covering the use of fat stem cells, and cells associated with fat stem cells for treatment of diseases related to a dysfunctional immune system. [Marketwire] Press Release

Death of Evidence Announcement
To make the public aware of government cuts to federal science programs, Canadians organized a ‘Death of Evidence’ rally to coincide with a large scientific conference taking place in Ottawa. [The Death of Evidence, Canada] Press Release

National Institutes of Health (United States)

Food and Drug Administration (United States)
 
Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (United States)

European Medicines Agency (European Union)

Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (United Kingdom)

National Health Service (United Kingdom)

Therapeutic Goods Administration (Australia)

Scientist – Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Scientist – hPSC Bioengineering (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Scientist – Epithelial Cell Research (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Scientist – Mesenchymal Cell Research (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Research Associate – Chemistry (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Research Associate – Particle Chemistry (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Research Technologist – Contract Assay Services (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Research Technologist – Media Development (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Postdoctoral Research Position for Minority Candidate (New York Obesity Research Center)

Clinical Coordinator (New York Obesity Nutrition Research Center)

Research Fellow in Diabetes Research (Monash University)

Postdoctoral Research Position (University Lille 2 France)

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