DIABETES Intravital Imaging of CTLs Killing Islet Cells in Diabetic Mice Here, researchers report the use of intravital 2-photon imaging in mice to visualize the dynamic behavior of a virally expanded, diabetogenic CTL population in the pancreas at cellular resolution. [J Clin Invest] Abstract | Press Release A Small Molecule Differentiation Inducer Increases Insulin Production by Pancreatic ß Cells Here, researchers probed effects of isoxazoles on human cadaveric islets and MIN6 pancreatic ß cells. [Proc Natl Acad Sci, USA] Abstract Protein Phosphorylation Involved in the Gene Expression of the Hydrogen Sulphide Producing Enzyme Cystathionine γ-Lyase in the Pancreatic ß-Cell Researchers examined the mechanisms by which glucose induces cystathionine γ-lyase expression in mouse pancreatic islets and the insulin-secreting cell line MIN6. [Mol Cell Endocrinol] Abstract Rational Bioprocess Design for Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Expansion and Endoderm Differentiation Based on Cellular Dynamics Researchers present a predictive bioprocess design strategy employing cell- and molecular-level analysis of rate-limiting steps in human pluripotent stem cell expansion and differentiation, and apply it to produce definitive endoderm progenitors using a scalable directed-differentiation technology. [Biotechnol Bioeng] Abstract | Press Release Induction and Selection of Sox17-Expressing Endoderm Cells Generated from Murine Embryonic Stem Cells Here researchers show the activin A-induced differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells carrying a homologous dsRed-IRES-puromycin knock-in within the Sox17 locus into the endoderm lineage. [Cells Tissues Organs] Abstract PANCREATIC CANCER Therapeutic Efficacy of a Lipid-Based Prodrug of Mitomycin C in Pegylated Liposomes: Studies with Human Gastro-Entero-Pancreatic Ectopic Tumor Models The purpose of this study was to examine the plasma stability, pharmacokinetics, and antitumor activity of a mitomycin-C lipid-based prodrug formulated in pegylated liposomes in mouse models of human gastroentero-pancreatic tumors. [J Control Release] Abstract Selective Radiosensitization of p53 Mutant Pancreatic Cancer Cells by Combined Inhibition of Chk1 and PARP1 Researchers hypothesized that inhibition of homologous recombination repair [mediated by checkpoint kinase 1 (Chk1) via AZD7762] and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP1) [via olaparib (AZD2281)] would selectively sensitize p53 mutant pancreatic cancer cells to radiation. [Cell Cycle] Abstract Is the Combination of Chromogranin A and Pancreatic Polypeptide Serum Determinations of Interest in the Diagnosis and Follow-Up of Gastro-Entero-Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors? The objectives of this study were to evaluate the sensitivity of pancreatic polypeptide (PP) and chromogranin A (CgA) in gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors and to compare changes in serum CgA and PP levels with the morphological evolution of the tumors. [Eur J Cancer] Abstract 2-Triazenoazaindoles: A Novel Class of Triazenes Inducing Transcriptional Down-Regulation of EGFR and HER-2 in Human Pancreatic Cancer Cells Researchers found that treatment of cells with AS104 causes significant reduction of cell growth and metabolic activity in four human pancreatic cancer cell lines. [Int J Oncol] Abstract Serum Deprivation Induces Glucose Response and Intercellular Coupling in Human Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma PANC-1 Cells This study aimed to investigate whether the previously described differentiating islet-like aggregates of human pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells (PANC-1) develop glucose response and exhibit intercellular communication. [Pancreas] Abstract |