Pancreatic Cell News Volume 11.11 | Mar 24 2020

TOP STORY

Long-Term Expansion of Pancreatic Islet Organoids from Resident Procr⁺ Progenitors

Scientists describe a previously unidentified protein C receptor positive (Procr⁺) cell population in adult mouse pancreas through single-cell RNA sequencing. The cells resided in islets, did not express differentiation markers, and featured epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition characteristics. [Cell] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

DIABETES & PANCREATITIS

Native Zinc Catalyzes Selective and Traceless Release of Small Molecules in β-Cells

Investigators leveraged the unusually high Zn(II) concentration in β-cells to develop a Zn(II)-based prodrug system to selectively and tracelessly deliver bioactive small molecules and fluorophores to β-cells. [J Am Chem Soc] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Development of Novel PET Imaging Probes for Detection of Amylin Aggregates in the Pancreas

In an in vitro binding study, DANIR-F 2b and DANIR-F 2c showed binding affinity for amylin aggregates. [¹⁸F]DANIR-F 2b and [¹⁸F]DANIR-F 2c clearly labeled islet amyloids in in vitro autoradiography of type 2 diabetes mellitus pancreatic sections. [Mol Pharm] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

miR-216a-Targeting Theranostic Nanoparticles Promote Proliferation of Insulin-Secreting Cells in Type 1 Diabetes Animal Model

Of the miRNAs that were found to be differentially expressed across three age groups, researchers identified one candidate (miR-216a) implicated in beta cell proliferation for subsequent validation by RT-PCR. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Curcumin Inhibits Alloxan-Induced Pancreatic Islet Cell Damage via Antioxidation and Antiapoptosis

Pancreatic islet cells were treated with alloxan (AXN) to induce cell damage and the protective effects of curcumin were observed. The authors showed that curcumin significantly promoted the cellular activity of AXN-treated RIN-m5F cells. [J Biochem Mol Toxicol] Abstract

PANCREATIC CANCER

Golgi Acidification by NHE7 Regulates Cytosolic pH Homeostasis in Pancreatic Cancer Cells

Scientists identified sodium-hydrogen exchanger (NHE)7 as a novel regulator of intracellular pH in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. They determined that NHE7 suppression caused alkalinization of the Golgi, leading to a build-up of cytosolic acid that diminished tumor cell fitness mainly through the dysregulation of actin. [Cancer Discov] Abstract

Targeting the Hgf/C-Met Pathway in Advanced Pancreatic Cancer: A Key Element of Treatment That Limits Primary Tumor Growth and Eliminates Metastasis

Triple therapy (HGF inhibitor + c-MET inhibitor + gemcitabine) completely eliminated metastasis, significantly reduced tumor size as assessed by bioluminescence and at necropsy, and significantly reduced proliferating cancer cell density and stem cell marker DCLK1 expression in tumors. In vitro 3D culture studies supported their in vivo findings. [Br J Cancer] Abstract

Global Analysis of Human Glycosyltransferases Reveals Novel Targets for Pancreatic Cancer Pathogenesis

Serial metastatic in vitro models using T3M4 and HPAF/CD18, generated in house, exhibited decreases in B3GNT3, FUT3 and GCNT3 expression on increasing metastatic potential. [Br J Cancer] Abstract

Differential Impact of the ERBB Receptors EGFR and ERBB2 on the Initiation of Precursor Lesions of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

Using a mouse model with inactivation of Erbb2 in pancreatic acinar cells, researchers found that Erbb2 was dispensable for inflammation- and KRas^G12D-induced development of acinar-to-ductal metaplasia and pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia. [Sci Rep] Full Article

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Young-Onset Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus – Implications for Morbidity and Mortality

The authors review the evidence pertaining to young-onset type 2 diabetes mellitus and its current and future burden of disease in terms of incidence and prevalence in both developed and developing nations. [Nat Rev Endocrinol] Abstract

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

Lexicon Pharmaceuticals Provides an Update on the Sotagliflozin Type 2 Diabetes Program

Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. provided an update on its Zynquista^TM program in type 2 diabetes, heart failure and chronic kidney disease. [Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc.] Press Release

Rising Research Star at Exeter Secures Prestigious Biochemical Society Award

Dr Kirsty Wan, a Research Fellow at the Living Systems Institute has received the Early Career Research Award from the Biochemical Society – one of just ten scientists and researchers nationwide to be honored in the annual award scheme. [University of Exeter] Press Release

Universities Urge US Leaders to Boost Science Budgets by 15%, Ease Rules to Cope with Pandemic

The US research community is urgently asking the White House and Congress to take steps aimed at keeping academic research-as well as museums, botanic gardens, and zoos-afloat during the coronavirus pandemic. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

US Primate Centers Work to Protect Animals from COVID-19

Like humans, monkeys are vulnerable to the virus behind the COVID-19 pandemic, although their symptoms are not entirely the same. This has opened up opportunities to study SARS-CoV-2, but has also meant facilities need to institute extensive precautions to prevent unintended contagion, particularly now as the researchers plan nonhuman primate experiments to aid in the development of coronavirus treatments and vaccines. [The Scientist] Editorial

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NEW Postdoctoral Research Position – Cancer Therapeutics (NIH National Cancer Institute)

Postdoctoral Scholar – Tumor Metabolism and DNA Repair (The Ohio State University)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Pancreatic Beta Cells (Washington University School of Medicine)

Senior Scientist – Diabetes (International Institute of Innovation and Technology)

Investigator Group Leader – Metabolic Research in Diabetes (German Research Center for Environmental Health)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Pancreatic Cancer (The University of Tennessee Health Science Center)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Therapeutics in Pancreatic Cancer (The University of Tennessee Health Science Center)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Cancer Biology (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Diabetes (Harvard Joslin Diabetes Center)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism (The University of Alabama at Birmingham)

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

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