Pancreatic Cell News Volume 3.12 | Mar 27 2012

Intrapancreatic Delivery of Human Umbilical Cord Blood Aldehyde Dehydrogenase-Producing Cells Promotes Islet Regeneration
Researchers sought to investigate the stimulation of islet regeneration by transplanted human umbilical cord blood cells purified according to high aldehyde dehydrogenase activity, a conserved characteristic of multiple progenitor lineages. [Diabetologia] Abstract

Cannabinoids Induce Pancreatic β-Cell Death by Directly Inhibiting Insulin Receptor Activation
Investigators report that Cannabinoid 1 receptors form a heteromeric complex with insulin receptors and the heterotrimeric guanosine triphosphate–binding protein α subunit Gαi [Sci Signal] Abstract

Ectopic Transgenic Expression of NKX2.2 Induces Differentiation of Adult Pancreatic Progenitors and Mediates Islet Regeneration
To pursue islet regeneration in situ in adult pancreas with a diabetic animal model, investigators used ultrasound targeted microbubble destruction to deliver islet transcription factor genes to the pancreas of STZ-treated rats, specifically using a piggyBac transposon gene delivery system for long-term transgene expression of Nkx2.2 in STZ rat pancreas. [Cell Cycle] Abstract

Developmental Programming of Neonatal Pancreatic β-Cells by a Maternal Low Protein Diet in Rats Involves a Switch from Proliferation to Differentiation
Scientists hypothesized that intrauterine and/or postnatal developmental programming seen in maternal low protein diets involves altered β-cell structure and relative time course of expression of genes critical to β-cell differentiation and growth. [Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab] Abstract

A Role for Aberrant Protein Palmitoylation in FFA-Induced ER Stress and Beta Cell Death
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the hypothesis that palmitate-induced ER stress and β-cell toxicity is mediated by excess or aberrant protein palmitoylation. [Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab] Abstract

Role of T-Cell-Specific Nuclear Factor [Kappa]B in Islet Allograft Rejection
Researchers tested whether NF-[kappa]B in T cells is required for the rejection of islet allografts. [Transplantation] Abstract

EphB3 Marks Delaminating Endocrine Progenitor Cells in the Developing Pancreas
Investigators identify EphB3 as a novel pro-endocrine marker and use its expression to track delaminating islet lineages. [Dev Dyn] Abstract

PANCREATIC CANCER

Chromatin-Targeting Small Molecules Cause Class-Specific Transcriptional Changes in Pancreatic Endocrine Cells
Researchers describe the genome-wide expression changes induced by 29 compounds targeting histone deacetylases, DNA methyltransferases, histone lysine methyltransferases, and protein arginine methyltransferases in pancreatic α- and β-cell lines. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

Down-Regulation of the CCK-B Receptor in Pancreatic Cancer Cells Blocks Proliferation and Promotes Apoptosis
Scientists proposed that the CCK-B receptor (CKK-BR) drives growth of pancreatic cancer; hence, interruption of CCK-BR activity could potentially be an ideal target for cancer therapeutics. [Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol] Abstract

Insulin-Like Growth Factor I Receptor Involvement in Proliferation of NOR-P1 Cells in Serum-Free Media
Insulin-like growth factor-I is up-regulated in pancreatic cancer tissues. Pancreatic cancer cell lines were analyzed in serum-free media as a model of the fibrous tissues that these cells often invade. [J Cell Biochem] Abstract

Recombinant Human Activated Protein C (Xigris) Attenuates Murine Cerulein-Induced Acute Pancreatitis via Regulation of Nuclear Factor [Kappa]B and Apoptotic Pathways
Microvascular thrombosis occurs in severe acute pancreatitis (AP). Exploiting this knowledge, researchers used human recombinant activated protein C known to preserve microvascular patency, in evaluating the role of Xigris in experimental AP. [Pancreas] Abstract

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 – Antibody and Hybridoma Technology Platforms (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Business Analyst – Product Management (STEMSOFT Software, Inc.)

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

Scientist – Hematology {STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Scientist – hPSC (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Diabetes Genetics Department (INSERM)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Stem Cell Biology (City of Hope Beckman Research Institute)

Postdoctoral Research Assistant (Queen Mary, University of London)

Director of The Diabetes and Metabolic Disease Research Program (The Methodist Hospital Research Institute)


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