Pancreatic Cell News 10.02 January 22, 2019 | |
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TOP STORYResearchers used single-cell mRNA sequencing to obtain a detailed description of pancreatic islet development. Contrary to the prevailing dogma, they found islet morphology and endocrine differentiation to be directly related. [Cell] Abstract | Graphical Abstract | |
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PUBLICATIONS(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)DIABETES & PANCREATITISComparison with maps generated in primary human islets and/or β cells indicated preservation of chromatin looping but also highlighted chromosomal aberrations and fetal genomic signatures in EndoC-βH1. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract Bromodomain and Extra Terminal Proteins Inhibitors Promote Pancreatic Endocrine Cell Fate Using mouse embryonic pancreatic explants and hiPSCs, investigators showed that bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) protein inhibition with I-BET151 or JQ1 enhances the number of neurogenin3 endocrine progenitors. [Diabetes] Abstract Acquisition of Dynamic Function in Human Stem Cell-Derived β Cells Researchers reported a differentiation strategy focused on modulating transforming growth factor β signaling, controlling cellular cluster size, and using an enriched serum-free media to generate stem cell-derived β cells that expressed β cell markers and underwent glucose-stimulated insulin secretion with first- and second-phase dynamic insulin secretion. [Stem Cell Reports] Full Article | Graphical Abstract Coating of alginate beads with 12 layers of cerium oxide nanoparticles/alginate provided complete protection to the entrapped beta cells from exposure to H2O2, with no significant changes in cellular metabolic activity, oxidant capacity, or insulin secretion dynamics, when compared to untreated controls. [Adv Healthc Mater] Abstract Stabilization of lncRNA GAS5 by a Small Molecule and Its Implications in Diabetic Adipocytes Toward stabilizing GAS5 levels in type 2 diabetes mellitus, scientists incorporated a strategy to limit the degradation of GAS5 by blocking the interaction of GAS5 and UPF1 with a small molecule identified using OBTC screening strategy. [Cell Chem Biol] Abstract | Graphical Abstract Pancreatic β-Cells Detoxify H2O2 through the Peroxiredoxin/Thioredoxin Antioxidant System Using glucose oxidase to deliver H2O2 continuously over time and Amplex Red to measure extracellular H2O2 concentration, investigators found that β-cells could remove micromolar levels of this oxidant. [J Biol Chem] Abstract | Full Article Taurine markedly protected As2O3-induced β cell dysfunction by reducing the phosphorylation of inositol-requiring enzyme 1 alpha (IRE1α), production of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), activation of NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 inflammasome and pyroptosis. [Food Chem Toxicol] Abstract | Graphical Abstract PANCREATIC CANCERPancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC)-derived exosomes induced a dose-dependent inhibition of PDAC serum-mediated complement-dependent cytotoxicity towards cancer cells. [Nat Commun] Full Article Cancer Cell Migration on Elongate Protrusions of Fibroblasts in Collagen Matrix Experiments with function-blocking antibodies, siRNAs, and immunocytochemistry demonstrated that cancer cells adhered to fibroblasts through integrin α5β1-mediated binding to fibronectin on the surface of fibroblasts. [Sci Rep] Full Article B7-H3 Is Regulated by BRD4 and Promotes TLR4 Expression in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma The authors applied the drug screening method to identify bromodomain and extra-terminal motif inhibitors that decreased the protein and mRNA levels of B7-H3 in pancreatic cancer cells. Moreover, they verified that BRD4 was responsible for regulating the expression of B7-H3 at the transcriptional level. [Int J Biochem Cell Biol] Abstract Subscribe to one of our other 19 science newsletters such as Hepatic Cell News & Intestinal Cell News. | |
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REVIEWSGut Microbial Metabolites in Obesity, NAFLD and T2DM The authors focus on the role of products derived from microbial carbohydrate and protein fermentation in relation to obesity and obesity-associated insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and discuss the mechanisms involved. [Nat Rev Endocrinol] Abstract Genetics and Epigenetics of Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Neoplasms Investigators summarize the present knowledge on genetic and epigenetic alterations. They integrate the available information from each compartment to give a pathway-based overview. [Endocr Rev] Abstract Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the pancreatic cell research field. | |
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INDUSTRY NEWSRexahn Presents Updated Preliminary Data on RX-3117 in Pancreatic Cancer Rexahn Pharmaceuticals, Inc. presented updated, preliminary data from the ongoing Phase IIa clinical trial of RX-3117 in combination with ABRAXANE® in first-line metastatic pancreatic cancer patients. [Rexahn Pharmaceuticals, Inc.] Press Release The Center for Beta Cell Therapy in Diabetes and ViaCyte, Inc. announced that a human stem cell-derived product candidate has been implanted in type 1 diabetes patients at a subtherapeutic dose. [ViaCyte, Inc.] Press Release AbbVie Provides Update on Phase III Study of Ibrutinib (IMBRUVICA®) in Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer AbbVie Inc. announced an update on the Phase III RESOLVE trial of ibrutinib in combination with chemotherapy agents nab-paclitaxel and gemcitabine versus placebo in combination with these chemotherapy agents in patients with metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma. [AbbVie Inc.] Press Release Tyme Technologies, Inc. announced that an open label Phase II clinical trial evaluating SM-88 as a monotherapy in end-stage patients with advanced pancreatic cancer demonstrated substantially improved survival benefit compared to expected median overall survival outcomes. [Tyme Technologies, Inc.] Press Release Kura Oncology, Inc. reported new findings identifying a potential association between CXCL12 expression and clinical benefit in patients with pancreatic cancer treated with tipifarnib. [Kura Oncology, Inc.] Press Release The Endocrinologic and Metabolic Drugs Advisory Committee of the FDA voted eight to eight on the question of whether the overall benefits of sotagliflozin outweighed the risks to support approval. [Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc.] Press Release Sernova Corp. announced the enrollment of the first three of seven subjects in its Phase I/II trial of Sernova’s Cell Pouch™ for clinical islet transplantation in type 1 diabetes. [Sernova, Corp.] Press Release Zafgen Announces Positive Results for Second Cohort of Phase II Clinical Trial of ZGN-1061 Zafgen, Inc. announced positive data for the second cohort of its Phase II clinical trial of ZGN-1061, designed to evaluate efficacy and safety in patients with type 2 diabetes and the likely therapeutic dose range of ZGN-1061. [Zafgen, Inc.] Press Release Rafael Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced the study plan for a Phase III Trial of devimistat in combination with modified FOLFIRINOX as a first-line treatment for patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer. Devimistat is Rafael’s lead altered metabolism directed drug candidate, a first-in-class anticancer compound designed to disrupt the altered mitochondrial metabolism in cancer cells. [Rafael Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (GlobeNewswire, Inc.)] Press Release Novel Same-Day Type 2 Diabetes Treatment Study Launches in US A same-day procedural therapy to improve glucose control for type 2 diabetes patients will be investigated in a pilot study. Absalon D. Gutierrez, MD, and Nirav C. Thosani, MD, are among the first physician-researchers in the country to assess the safety and effectiveness of The Revita™ System, designed to help improve blood sugar levels without the need for additional medications. [University of Texas Health Science Center] Press Release | |
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POLICY NEWSThe Warren Bill Could Promote Beneficial Public-Private Partnerships in Life Sciences The bill, proposed by Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Rep. Jan Schakowsky, would create an Office of Drug Manufacturing aimed at boosting competition, lowering drug prices, and addressing prescription drug shortages, among other goals. [STAT News] Editorial Scientist Behind CRISPR Twins Sharply Criticized in Government Probe, Loses Job He Jiankui, the Chinese researcher who claimed to have edited the genomes of twin baby girls in a heritable way-and earned widespread condemnation for conducting a risky procedure with little potential benefit-deliberately sidestepped regulations, dodged oversight, and used fake ethical review documents in hopes of gaining “personal fame” for a worldwide first, according to preliminary results from a Chinese governmental investigation. [ScienceInsider] Editorial How Estonia Blazed a Trail in Science Since it joined the EU in 2004, Estonia has spent more than €1 billion in EU funds on modernizing its research base. It now boasts strengths in numerous fields, including ecology, molecular biology and genetics, and has built up extensive international research networks. [Nature News] Editorial
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EVENTSNEW Islet Biology: From Gene to Cell to Micro-Organ Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the community.
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JOB OPPORTUNITIESNEW Postdoctoral Fellowship – Pancreatic Cancer (Dartmouth College) Research Technologist – Pancreatic Cell Research (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.) Postdoctoral Fellowships – Cancer (Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University) Faculty Position – Diabetes (Sanford Research) Postdoctoral Fellow – Cancer Biology (SRI Biosciences) Faculty Positions – Diabetes and Metabolism (Texas Tech University) Postdoctoral Fellowship – Developmental and Cancer Biology (University of Copenhagen) Postdoctoral Research Associate – Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine (King’s College London) Postdoctoral Fellow – Neuroscience and Diabetes (The Child Health Institute of New Jersey) Postdoctoral Research Associate – Pancreas Development (University of Illinois) Postdoctoral Position – Stem Cells and Diabetes (A*STAR) Recruit Top Talent: Reach potential candidates by posting your organization’s career opportunities on the Connexon Creative Job Board at no cost.
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