Pancreatic Cell News Volume 10.04 | Feb 5 2019

TOP STORY

New 3D Imaging Technique Reveals How Pancreatic Cancers Start

A new technique to study tissue samples in 3D has revealed that pancreatic cancers can start and grow in two distinct ways, solving a decades-old mystery of how tumors form. The new method could help researchers to get more information from tissue biopsies and may lead to improved treatments for pancreatic cancers. [Press release from The Francis Crick Institute discussing online prepublication in Nature] Press Release | Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

DIABETES & PANCREATITIS

A Map of Human Type 1 Diabetes Progression by Imaging Mass Cytometry

Researchers performed pseudotime analysis of islets through type 1 diabetes progression from snapshot data to reconstruct the evolution of β cell loss and insulitis. Their analyses revealed that β cell destruction was preceded by a β cell marker loss and by recruitment of cytotoxic and helper T cells. [Cell Metab] Abstract | Graphical Abstract | Press Release

Multiplexed In Situ Imaging Mass Cytometry Analysis of the Human Endocrine Pancreas and Immune System in Type 1 Diabetes

Scientists developed a panel of 33 antibodies that allowed for the quantification of key cell types including pancreatic exocrine cells, islet cells, immune cells, and stromal components. They employed this panel to analyze 12 pancreata obtained from donors with clinically diagnosed type 1 diabetes and 6 pancreata from non-diabetic controls. [Cell Metab] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Recapitulating Endocrine Cell Clustering in Culture Promotes Maturation of Human Stem-Cell-Derived β Cells

Enriched β-clusters displayed physiological properties analogous to primary human β-cells, including robust dynamic insulin secretion, increased calcium signaling in response to secretagogues, and improved mitochondrial energization. [Nat Cell Biol] Abstract | Press Release

ELKS/Voltage-Dependent Ca²⁺ Channel-β Subunit Module Regulates Polarized Ca²⁺ Influx in Pancreatic β Cells

In situ Ca²⁺ imaging of β cells within islets expressing a membrane-bound G-CaMP8b Ca²⁺ sensor demonstrated initial local Ca²⁺ signals at the ELKS-localized vascular side of the β cell plasma membrane, which were markedly decreased in ELKS-knockout β cells. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

In Vivo Imaging of β-Cell Function Reveals Glucose-Mediated Heterogeneity of β-Cell Functional Development

Increasing amounts of glucose induced functional acquisition and enhancement of β-cells via activating calcineurin/nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFAT) signaling. Conserved in mammalians, calcineurin/NFAT prompted high-glucose-stimulated insulin secretion of neonatal mouse islets cultured in vitro. [eLife] Abstract

Local Hyperthyroidism Promotes Pancreatic Acinar Cell Proliferation during Acute Pancreatitis

Upon genetic and pharmacological inactivation of selected signaling pathways, researchers demonstrated that thyronine exerted its mitogenic effect on acinar cells via a tightly controlled action on different molecular effectors, including histone deacetylase, AKT, and TGFβ signaling. [J Pathol] Abstract

Type 2 Diabetes Is Associated with Suppression of Autophagy and Lipid Accumulation in β-Cells

To investigate whether lipid droplet accumulation and autophagy were influenced by diabetic conditions, the authors used rat INS-1 cells to model the effects of hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia on autophagy and metabolic gene expression. [J Cell Mol Med] Full Article

PANCREATIC CANCER

Hes1 Plays an Essential Role in Kras-Driven Pancreatic Tumorigenesis

In vitro, activation of MAPK signaling due to EGF or mutant KRAS activation induced sustained Hes1 expression in pancreatic acinar cells. In vivo, acinar cell-specific activation of mutant KRAS by Elastase1-CreERT2;Kras^G12D induced acinar-to-ductal metaplasia/pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia formation with Hes1 expression in mice. [Oncogene] Abstract

PRRX1 Isoforms Cooperate with FOXM1 to Regulate the DNA Damage Response in Pancreatic Cancer Cells

Investigators established FOXM1 as a critical downstream target of PRRX1 in pancreatic cancer cells. They demonstrated a novel role for PRRX1 in the regulation of genes involved in DNA repair pathways. [Oncogene] Abstract

Solid Stress-Induced Migration Is Mediated by GDF15 through Akt Pathway Activation in Pancreatic Cancer Cells

Scientists used two pancreatic cancer cell lines and an established in vitro system to study the effect of solid stress-induced signal transduction on pancreatic cancer cell migration as well as the mechanism involved. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Subscribe to one of our other 19 science newsletters such as Hepatic Cell News & Intestinal Cell News.

Signaling Networks that Control Cellular Plasticity in Pancreatic Tumorigenesis, Progression and Metastasis

The authors discuss the processes involved during tumorigenesis encompassing the inherent plasticity of the transformed cells, development of tumor stroma crosstalk and enrichment of cancer stem cell population during tumorigenesis. [Gastroenterology] Abstract

Molecular Subtypes of Pancreatic Cancer

Investigators summarize current knowledge concerning the molecular subtyping of pancreatic cancer and explore future strategies for using a molecular taxonomy to guide therapeutic development and ultimately routine therapy with the overall goal of improving outcomes for this disease. [Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol] Abstract

Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the pancreatic cell research field.

BioLineRx Receives Orphan Drug Designation from the FDA for Its Lead Therapeutic Candidate BL-8040 for the Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer

BioLineRx Ltd. announced that the FDA has granted Orphan Drug Designation to its lead oncology candidate, BL-8040, for the treatment of pancreatic cancer. BL-8040 is currently being investigated in clinical studies for the treatment of pancreatic cancer under two separate immuno-oncology collaborations – one with Merck & Co., Inc. and a second collaboration with Genentech. [BioLineRx Ltd.] Press Release

DrugCendR Announces Pancreatic Cancer Clinical Trial Data, New Member of Board of Directors and FDA Orphan Drug Designation

DrugCendR Inc. reported positive progress with its ongoing pancreatic cancer clinical trial. In addition, the lead program received orphan-drug designation from the FDA in pancreatic cancer. [DrugCendR Inc. (GlobeNewswire, Inc.)] Press Release

Thousands of Scientists Run Up against Elsevier’s Paywall

Researchers at German institutions that have let their Elsevier subscriptions lapse while negotiating a new deal are hitting the paywall for the publisher’s most recent articles around 10,000 times a day, according to Elsevier – which publishes more than 400,000 papers each year. [Nature News] Editorial

Rookies Lead the Way on House Science Panel

A major perk of being the majority party in the US Congress is getting to fill the leadership slots on every committee. For several new Democratic legislators, however, having their party regain control of the House of Representatives also creates an unprecedented opportunity to shape US science policy. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NEW Gordon Research Conference: Epigenomics of Diabetes and Other Metabolic Diseases
May 24-29, 2020
Hong Kong, China

Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the community.

NEW PhD Position – Pancreatic Cancer (Universitätsklinikum Münster)

Research Technologist – Pancreatic Cell Research (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Pancreatic Beta-Cells (City of Hope)

Clinical Professor – Diabetes (University of Southern Denmark)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Pancreatic Cancer (Dartmouth College)

Postdoctoral Fellowships – Cancer (Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University)

Faculty Position – Diabetes (Sanford Research)

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)

Recruit Top Talent: Reach potential candidates by posting your organization’s career opportunities on the Connexon Creative Job Board at no cost.

Have we missed an important article or publication in Pancreatic Cell News? Click here to submit!

Comments or suggestions? Submit your feedback here.