Intestinal Cell News Volume 2.16 | May 6 2016

The EGFR-Specific Antibody Cetuximab Combined with Chemotherapy Triggers Immunogenic Cell Death
Scientists found that cetuximab, in combination with chemotherapy, fostered immunogenic cell death in colorectal cancer cells, which was measured via the endoplasmic reticulum stress response and an increase in phagocytosis by dendritic cells. [Nat Med] Abstract

Targeting TYRO3 Inhibits Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and Increases Drug Sensitivity in Colon Cancer
Investigators identified TYRO3 as a potential oncogene. Immunohistochemical staining results demonstrated that levels of TYRO3 were markedly elevated in polyps and colon cancer cells and were negatively correlated with prognosis. [Oncogene] Abstract

Ninjurin1 Inhibits Colitis-Mediated Colon Cancer Development and Growth by Suppression of Macrophage Infiltration through Repression of FAK Signaling
The authors used transgenic mice (tg mice) that overexpressed ninjurin1 on macrophages. They subjected ninjurin1 tg mice to a well-known mouse model of colitis-associated colon cancer in which animals are treated with azoxymethane and dextran sulfate sodium. [Oncotarget] Full Article

The Arachidonic Acid Metabolite 11β-ProstaglandinF2α Controls Intestinal Epithelial Healing: Deficiency in Patients with Crohn’s Disease
Enteric glial cells (EGC) isolated from crohn’s disease (CD) and control patients showed similar expression of glial markers and EGC-derived soluble factors (IL6, TGF-beta, proEGF, GSH) but CD EGC failed to increase intestinal epithelial barrier resistance and healing. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Diallyl Disulfide (DADS), a Constituent of Garlic, Inactivates NFκB and Prevents Colitis-Induced Colorectal Cancer by Inhibiting GSK-3β
The chemopreventive effects of garlic may be attributed to the anti-inflammatory properties of garlic’s sulfur-containing constituents, which includes DADS. Scientists demonstrated that DADS prevented colorectal tumorigenesis in a mouse model of colitis-induced colorectal cancer. [Cancer Prev Res] Abstract

Oral Serum-Derived Bovine Immunoglobulin/Protein Isolate Has Immunomodulatory Effects on the Colon of Mice that Spontaneously Develop Colitis
Investigators examined the effects of serum-derived bovine immunoglobulin/protein isolate on mucosal inflammation in mdr1a^-/- mice that spontaneously develop colitis. [PLoS One] Full Article

INTESTINAL STEM CELL & ORGANOID RESEARCH

Inhibition of DNA Methylation Suppresses Intestinal Tumor Organoids by Inducing an Anti-Viral Response
To investigate the effect of DNA demethylation on tumor organoids, researchers established organoids from intestinal tumors of Apc^Min/+ mice and subjected them to 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine treatment and Dnmt1 knockdown. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Full-Length LGR5-Positive Cells Have Chemoresistant Characteristics in Colorectal Cancer
Leucine-rich repeat-containing G-protein-coupled receptor 5 (LGR5) is a target of Wnt signaling and considered both a cancer stem cell marker and intestinal stem cell marker. Scientists found first some splice variants of LGR5 in human intestine and elucidated the functional feature of full-length LGR5. [Br J Cancer] Abstract

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Genentech Highlights Personalized Medicines and Cancer Immunotherapies
Genentech announced new results from 19 approved and investigational medicines will be presented. More than 200 abstracts have been accepted across eight cancer types, including four “late breakers” and nearly 30 oral presentations. [Press release from Genentech, Inc. discussing research to be presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2016 Annual Meeting, Chicago] Press Release

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Celimmune Commences First-Ever Dosing with AMG 714 in Celiac Disease
Celimmune LLC announced that it has dosed the first patient in its Phase II clinical study for AMG 714 in celiac disease. AMG 714 is an investigational anti-IL-15 monoclonal antibody being studied for the treatment of gluten-free diet non-responsive celiac disease and refractory celiac disease Type II. [Celimmune LLC] Press Release

Helsinn Announces Top-Line Results of Its Phase IIb Trial with Elsiglutide for the Prevention of Chemotherapy-Induced Diarrhea in Colorectal Cancer Patients
Helsinn announces top-line results from its clinical Phase IIb dose-finding trial to assess the efficacy of elsiglutide in the prevention of diarrhea induced by chemotherapy in patients with colorectal cancer. [Helsinn] Press Release

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NEW Associate Director – Intestinal Microbiota (Institute for Basic Science/POSTECH)

NEW Junior Principle Investigator – Gut Immunology (Institute for Basic Science/POSTECH)

NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Norovirus-Intestinal Microbiota Interactions (University of Florida)

NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Bioinformatics in Host-Microbiota Interactions (Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute)

NEW PhD Studentship – Gut Bacterial Metabolism (Katholieke Universiteit Leuven)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Cancer Stem Cell Biology (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

Research Assistant – Autoimmune/Cell Biology (Immunocore Ltd)

Faculty Positions – Clinical Immunology (Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation)

Grant Writer (Gladstone Institutes)

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