DIABETES Novel Standards in the Measurement of Rat Insulin Granules Combining Electron Microscopy, High-Content Image Analysis and In Silico Modeling Knowledge of number, size and content of insulin secretory granules is pivotal for understanding the physiology of pancreatic beta cells. Here investigators re-evaluated key structural features of rat beta cells, including insulin granule size, number and distribution as well as cell size. [Diabetologia] Abstract Beta-Catenin Is Selectively Required for the Expansion and Regeneration of Mature Pancreatic Acinar Cells To address whether β-catenin remains important for the maintenance and expansion of mature acinar cells, scientists have established a system to follow the behavior and fate of β-catenin-deficient cells during postnatal growth and regeneration. [Dis Model Mech] Abstract One-Step Purification of Functional Human and Rat Pancreatic Alpha Cells This study was designed to establish convenient protocols for the purification of viable alpha cells from rat and human pancreatic islets by FACS, using intrinsic cellular properties. [Integr Biol] Abstract In Vitro Effects of Mycophenolic Acid on Survival, Function, and Gene Expression of Pancreatic Beta-Cells In the present study, in vitro effects of mycophenolic acid have been investigated in mouse beta-cell lines and in purified human pancreatic islets. [Acta Diabetol] Abstract Maintenance of Redox State and Pancreatic Beta-Cell Function: Role of Leptin and Adiponectin In this study researchers investigate the importance of maintaining cellular redox state on pancreatic beta-cell function and viability, and the effects of leptin and adiponectin on this balance. [J Cell Biochem] Abstract PANCREATIC CANCER Chronic GLP-1 Receptor Activation by Exendin-4 Induces Expansion of Pancreatic Duct Glands in Rats and Accelerates Formation of Dysplastic Lesions and Chronic Pancreatitis in the KrasG12D Mouse Model Pancreatic duct glands (PDGs) have been hypothesized to give rise to pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN). Treatment with the glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1 analog, exendin-4, for 12 weeks induced the expansion of PDGs with mucinous metaplasia and columnar cell atypia resembling low-grade PanIN in rats. [Diabetes] Abstract MUC1 Regulates PDGFA Expression during Pancreatic Cancer Progression Using mouse pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma models as well as human samples, researchers show clear evidence that Mucin 1 (MUC1) regulates the expression and secretion of platelet-derived growth factor-A (PDGFA). This, in turn, influences proliferation and invasion of pancreatic cancer cells leading to higher tumor burden in vivo. [Oncogene] Abstract Integrative Survival-Based Molecular Profiling of Human Pancreatic Cancer The purpose of this study was to perform an integrative profile of human pancreatic cancer to identify prognosis-significant genes and their related pathways. [Clin Cancer Res] Abstract Autophagy Mediates Survival of Pancreatic Tumor-Initiating Cells in a Hypoxic Microenvironment Researchers examined whether autophagy might be involved in survival of cancer stem cells despite nutrition and oxygen deprivation typical for the hypoxic tumor microenvironment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. [J Pathol] Abstract Honokiol Attenuates the Severity of Acute Pancreatitis and Associated Lung Injury via Acceleration of Acinar Cell Apoptosis Here, scientists investigate whether honokiol can ameliorate severe acute pancreatitis and associated acute lung injury in a mouse model. [Shock] Abstract |