DIABETES & PANCREATITIS VAV2, a Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factor for Rac1, Regulates Glucose-Stimulated Insulin Secretion in Pancreatic Beta Cells Using immunological, short interfering RNA, pharmacological and microscopic approaches scientists investigated the role of VAV2 in glucose-stimulated insulin secretion from islet beta cells. [Diabetologia] Abstract Skeletal Muscle to Pancreatic β-Cell Cross-Talk: The Effect of Humoral Mediators Liberated by Muscle Contraction and Acute Exercise on β-Cell Apoptosis Conditioned media and sera with or without IL-6 neutralization were used to incubate insulin-producing INS-1 cells and rat islets for 24 hours in the presence or absence of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β+IFN-γ). IL-1β+IFN-γ increased INS-1 and islet apoptosis and decreased insulin secretion. [J Clin Endocrinol Metab] Abstract Induction of miR-132 and miR-212 Expression by Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 (GLP-1) in Rodent and Human Pancreatic β-Cells Scientists investigated the potential involvement of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the effect of GLP-1 on glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. miRNA levels in INS-1 cells and isolated rodent and human islets treated with GLP-1 in vitro and in vivo were measured by real-time quantitative PCR. [Mol Endocrinol] Abstract GPR39 Receptors and Actions of Trace Metals on Pancreatic Beta Cell Function and Glucose Homoeostasis Investigators used clonal BRIN-BD11 cells and mouse pancreatic islets to assess the insulin-releasing actions of trace metals believed to act via GPR39, and the second messenger pathways involved in mediating their effects. [Acta Diabetol] Abstract PANCREATIC CANCER Modulation of PKM Alternative Splicing by PTBP1 Promotes Gemcitabine Resistance in Pancreatic Cancer Cells The authors found that chronic exposure of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells to gemcitabine selected a subpopulation of cells that are drug-resistant (DR-PDAC cells). Importantly, alternative splicing of the pyruvate kinase gene (PKM) was differentially modulated in DR-PDAC cells, resulting in promotion of the cancer-related PKM2 isoform, whose high expression also correlated with shorter recurrence-free survival in PDAC patients. [Oncogene] Abstract AduPARE1A and Gemcitabine Combined Treatment Trigger Synergistic Antitumor Effects in Pancreatic Cancer through NF-κB Mediated uPAR Activation The authors investigated the potential to use gemcitabine in combination with the oncolytic adenovirus AduPARE1A to treat pancreatic cancer and evaluated the underlying mechanism. [Mol Cancer] Full Article CCR7 Regulates Twist to Induce the Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Effects of Twist on CC chemokine receptor 7 (CCR7)-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition in the pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma were investigated in detail. The immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of Twist, and then, in vitro assays were applied. [Tumour Biol] Abstract Polymeric Micelles of PEG-PLA Copolymer as a Carrier for Salinomycin against Gemcitabine-Resistant Pancreatic Cancer MTT and Annexin V/PI assays were used to study cell proliferation and apoptosis in AsPC-1 cells in response to treatment with salinomycin micellar formulations. Alterations in cancer stem cell phenotype, invasion strength, and mRNA expression of epithelial mesenchymal transition markers were also determined in the treated cells. [Pharm Res] Abstract The Crosstalk between Nrf2 and TGF-β1 in the Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition of Pancreatic Duct Epithelial Cells By using premalignant human pancreatic duct cells (HPDE) and the pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cell line Colo357, researchers showed that Nrf2 and TGF-β1 independently but additively conferred an invasive phenotype to HPDE cells, whereas acting synergistically in Colo357 cells. [PLoS One] Full Article |