DIABETES Mind Bomb 1 Is Required for Pancreatic β-Cell Formation Researchers show that Mind bomb 1 (Mib1) is required for correct proximodistal patterning of the developing pancreas and β-cell formation. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract Circulating, Preproinsulin Signal Peptide-Specific CD8 T Cells Restricted by the Susceptibility Molecule HLA-A24 Are Expanded at Onset of Type 1 Diabetes and Kill β-Cells Results indicated that the type 1 diabetes susceptibility molecule HLA-A24 presents a naturally processed preproinsulin (PPI) signal peptide epitope. PPI-specific, HLA-A24-restricted CD8 T cells are expanded in patients with recent-onset disease. Human islet cells process and present PPI3-11, rendering themselves targets for cytotoxic T cell-mediated killing. [Diabetes] Abstract Overexpression of Monocarboxylate Transporter-1 (Slc16a1) in Mouse Pancreatic β-Cells Leads to Relative Hyperinsulinism During Exercise Forced overexpression of monocarboxylate transporter-1 in β-cells replicated the key features of exercise-induced hyperinsulinism and highlighted the importance of this transporter’s absence from these cells for the normal control of insulin secretion. [Diabetes] Abstract Oral Salmon Calcitonin Attenuates Hyperglycemia and Preserves Pancreatic Beta-Cell Area and Function in Zucker Diabetic Fatty Rats Researchers evaluated the anti-diabetic efficacy of oral salmon Calcitonin using parameters of glycemic control and beta-cell morphology in male Zucker diabetic fatty rats. [Br J Pharmacol] Abstract Differentiation and Transplantation of Functional Pancreatic Beta Cells Generated from Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Derived from a Type 1 Diabetes Mouse Model Researchers demonstrated a proof of concept for cellular therapy using non-obese diabetic mouse-derived induced pluripotent stem cells. [Stem Cells Dev] Abstract PANCREATIC CANCER Identification of Pancreatic Cancer Stem Cells and Selective Toxicity of Chemotherapeutic Agents Scientists investigated whether it is possible to monitor pancreatic cancer stem cells in real time based on their intrinsic low level of proteasome activity. [Gastroenterology] Abstract Induced MIST1 Expression Promotes Remodeling of Mouse Pancreatic Acinar Cells Researchers investigated whether Mist1 directly induces and maintains the mature phenotype of acinar cells. [Gastroenterology] Abstract The Expression of the Receptor for Advanced Glycation Endproducts (RAGE) Is Permissive for Early Pancreatic Neoplasia Investigators showed that the RAGE is required for the activation of interleukin 6-mediated mitochondrial signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 signaling in pancreatic carcinogenesis. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer Using an Oncolytic Virus Harboring the Lipocalin-2 Gene Researchers aimed to determine whether one cancer-targeting gene virotherapy approach, oncolytic virus-harboring lipocalin-2, is capable of treating pancreatic cancer. [Cancer] Abstract Neural Invasion Induces Cachexia via Astrocytic Activation of Neural Route in Pancreatic Cancer The authors established a novel murine model of cancer cachexia using neural invasion of human pancreatic cancer cells. [Int J Cancer] Abstract |