Pancreatic Cell News Volume 10.18 | May 14 2019

TOP STORY

Advancing Cell Therapy for Diabetes

A team of researchers has improved the laboratory process of converting stem cells into insulin-producing beta cells, using biological and physical separation methods to enrich the proportion of beta cells in a sample. Their findings may be used to improve beta cell transplants for patients with type 1 diabetes. [Press release from Harvard University discussing online prepublication in Nature] Press Release | Abstract | Editorial

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

DIABETES & PANCREATITIS

Hepatoma-Derived Growth Factor Supports the Antiapoptosis and Profibrosis of Pancreatic Stellate Cells

The authors showed that CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein δ responded to transforming growth factor-β1 through reciprocal loop regulation and that activated hypoxia inducible factor-1α further contributes to the upregulation of the hepatoma-derived growth factor gene. [Cancer Lett] Abstract

The Role of Membrane Excitability in Pancreatic β-Cell Glucotoxicity

Wild-type islets showed rapid loss of insulin content when chronically incubated in high-glucose, an effect that was reversed by subsequently switching to low glucose media. In contrast, hyperexcitable K_ATP-knockout islets lost insulin content in both low- and high-glucose, while underexcitable K_ATP-gain-of-function islets maintained insulin content in both conditions. [Sci Rep] Full Article

G-Protein Coupled Receptor 55 Agonists Increase Insulin Secretion through Inositol Trisphosphate-Mediated Calcium Release in Pancreatic β-Cells

Scientists examined the effects of potent GPR55 agonists, O-1602 and abnormal cannabidiol, on glucose-induced insulin secretion in a mouse pancreatic β-cell line, MIN6, and the underlying mechanisms with a focus on intracellular calcium. [Eur J Pharmacol] Abstract

PANCREATIC CANCER

Development of Resistance to FAK Inhibition in Pancreatic Cancer Is Linked to Stromal Depletion

TGF-β production by fibroblasts in vitro drove repression of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling and enhanced responsiveness to focal adhesion kinase (FAK) inhibitor therapy. Knockdown of SMAD3 in pancreatic cancer cells abolished the inhibitory effects of transforming growth factor beta on phosphorylated STAT3. [Gut] Abstract

Phosphorylation of 14-3-3ζ Links YAP Transcriptional Activation to Hypoxic Glycolysis for Tumorigenesis

Scientists report that hypoxia disassembles 14-3-3ζ from Yes-associated protein (YAP) and thereby promoted YAP nuclear localization mediated by ERK2, which directly bound to the D-site of mitogen-activated protein kinase docking domain in 14-3-3ζ Leu98/100 and phosphorylated 14-3-3ζ at Ser37. [Oncogenesis] Full Article

The Rho/MRTF Pathway Inhibitor CCG-222740 Reduces Stellate Cell Activation and Modulates Immune Cell Populations in Kras^G12D; Pdx1-Cre (KC) Mice

The authors used CCG-222740, a small molecule, designed as a Rho/myocardin-related transcription factor (MRTF) pathway inhibitor. This compound decreased the activation of stellate cells in vitro and in vivo, by reducing the levels of alpha smooth muscle actin expression. [Sci Rep] Abstract

Establishment of Pancreatic Cancer Cell Lines with Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Biopsy via Conditionally Reprogrammed Cell Culture

Researchers established patient-derived pancreatic cancer cell lines from eight patients. Immunofluorescence colony staining for conditionally reprogrammed cells showed that the cytoplasm of cancer cells was clearly stained with anti-cytokeratin 19 monoclonal antibody. [Cancer Med] Full Article

The Target Therapeutic Effect of Functionalized Graphene Oxide Nanoparticles Graphene Oxide-Polyethylene Glycol-Folic Acid-1-Pyrenemethylamine Hydrochloride-Mediated RNA Interference of HIF-1α Gene in Human Pancreatic Cancer Cells

Gene silencing of HIF-1α inhibited the growth, proliferation, invasion, and metastasis of Patu8988 pancreatic cancer cells and reduced the mRNA expression of glucose transporter-1 and 18F- fluorodeoxyglucose uptake in the pancreatic cancer cells, thereby accelerating the apoptosis of tumor cells and increasing the survival rate of animals. [J Biomater Appl] Abstract

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What Role Do Fat Cells Play in Pancreatic Tissue?

The authors summarize former and recent studies on factors derived from adipocytes and their effects on insulin-secreting β-cells, with particular emphasis on the human pancreas. [Mol Metab] Full Article

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

Myriad Genetics to Present Multiple Studies

Myriad Genetics, Inc. announced that it will present results from multiple studies. [Press release from Myriad Genetics, Inc. discussing research presented at the 2019 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, Chicago] Press Release

Zealand Pharma Achieves Primary and All Key Secondary Endpoints in Confirmatory Phase III Trial with Dasiglucagon for Severe Hypoglycemia

Zealand Pharma A/S announced successful results in the confirmatory Phase III trial with dasiglucagon for severe hypoglycemia in diabetes. Dasiglucagon is a potential first-in-class soluble glucagon analog invented and developed by Zealand. [Zealand Pharma A/S (GlobeNewswire, Inc.)] Press Release

Erytech Announces FDA’s Authorization to Proceed with Phase III Trial for Eryaspase in Pancreatic Cancer in the United States

ERYTECH Pharma announced the acceptance by the FDA of its Investigational New Drug application for eryaspase, consisting of the enzyme L-asparaginase encapsulated inside donor derived red blood cells. [Erytech Pharma] Press Release

EnGeneIC Announces First Patients with Advanced-Stage Pancreatic Cancer Dosed in Phase I/IIa Clinical Study of Targeted Cytotoxic Immunotherapy

EnGeneIC Limited announced that the first four patients have been dosed in a Phase I/IIa study using the company’s tumor-targeting, immunogenic EDVs™ to deliver a cytotoxic drug payload directly to tumors of patients who have exhausted curative treatment options. [EnGeneIC Limited (PR Newswire Association LLC)] Press Release

New EU Research Funding Head Stresses ‘Superdisciplinarity’

Nanomedicine pioneer Mauro Ferrari will be the next president of the European Research Council, the funding organization announced. He will come to the job in Brussels with limited European policy experience, after almost 40 years in the United States, where he worked at the University of California; the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda; and the Houston Methodist Research Institute in Texas. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NIH Fears Good-Government Bill Would Hamper Peer Review

The much-admired system to review grant proposals at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland, has become the latest flashpoint in a long-running battle between Congress and the executive branch over how the US government manages advisory bodies. NIH’s parent body, the Department of Health and Human Services in Washington, DC, opposes legislation moving rapidly through Congress that is aimed at making those committees more transparent. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Artificial Intelligence Is Selecting Grant Reviewers in China

China’s largest funder of basic science is piloting an artificial intelligence (AI) tool that selects researchers to review grant applications, in an attempt to make the process more efficient, faster and fairer. Some researchers say the approach by the National Natural Science Foundation of China is world-leading, but others are sceptical about whether AI can improve the process. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) 2019 Congress
September 27-October 1, 2019
Barcelona, Spain

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

NEW Postdoctoral Position – Lung and Pancreatic Cancers (University of California, San Francisco)

Professor – Diabetes Research (University of Tennessee Health Science Center)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Islet Biology (University of Wisconsin-Madison)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Pancreatic Cancer (Oregon Health and Science University)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Exosomes in Atherosclerosis and Cardiovascular Disease (Northern California Institute for Research and Education)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Regenerative Medicine (Cornell University)

Postdoctoral Research Position – Molecular Biology and Cancer Research (Augusta University)

Postdoctoral Research Affiliate – Pancreatic Cancer Research (Roswell Park)

Clinical Professor – Diabetes (Univesity of Southern Denmark)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Type 2 Diabetes and Obesity (Harvard Medical School/Boston Children’s Hospital)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Regenerative Medicine and Metabolic Biology (Indiana Biosciences Research Institute)

Research Positions – Pancreatic Beta-Cells (Université de Montréal)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Neuroscience and Diabetes (The Child Health Institute of New Jersey)

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