Pancreatic Cell News Volume 2.19 | May 17 2011

DIABETES

Identification of an Imprinted Master Trans Regulator at the KLF14 Locus Related to Multiple Metabolic Phenotypes
Here researchers show that the type 2 diabetes and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol–associated cis-acting expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) of the maternally expressed transcription factor KLF14 acts as a master trans regulator of adipose gene expression. [Nat Genet]

Dual Elimination of the Glucagon and GLP-1 Receptors in Mice Reveals Plasticity in the Incretin Axis
The data reveals extensive functional plasticity in the enteroinsular axis via induction of compensatory mechanisms that control nutrient-dependent regulation of insulin secretion. [J Clin Invest]

Dual and Opposing Roles of the Unfolded Protein Response Regulated by IRE1α and XBP1 in Proinsulin Processing and Insulin Secretion
To elucidate the function of XBP1 in pancreatic β-cells, researchers generated β-cell-specific XBP1 mutant mice. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA]

Stromal Cell-Derived Factor-1 (SDF-1)/Chemokine (C-X-C motif) Receptor 4 (CXCR4) Axis Activation Induces Intra-Islet Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) Production and Enhances Beta Cell Survival
Here researchers propose that beta cell injury induces SDF-1 production, and the SDF-1/chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor 4 (CXCR4) interaction auto-activates Sdf1 expression, resulting in the autocrine production of SDF-1 by beta cells and the paracrine activation of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) production by alpha cells. [Diabetologia]
 
mRNA of the Pro-Apoptotic Gene BBC3 Serves as a Molecular Marker for TNF-α-Induced Islet Damage in Humans
TNF-α plays important roles in the pathogenesis of type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus. In light of this, researchers examined the involvement of a pro-apoptotic gene, BBC3 (also known as PUMA), in TNF-α-mediated beta cell dysfunction and destruction in human islets. [Diabetologia]

A Novel Method for Quantitative Monitoring of Transplanted Islets of Langerhans by Positive Contrast Magnetic Resonance Imaging
The Automatic Quantitative Ultrashort Echo Time imaging (AQUTE) protocol for serial MRI allows quantitative in vivo monitoring of iron labeled pancreatic islets of Langerhans transplanted into the liver, quantifying graft implantation and persistence in a rodent model. [Am J Transplant]

Mesenchymal Stem Cells Facilitate Mixed Hematopoietic Chimerism Induction and Prevent Onset of Diabetes in Nonobese Diabetic Mice
Allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells and bone marrow cells were cotransplanted in nonobese diabetic mice after none myeloablative preconditioning and the development of chimerism, insulitis, diabetes, and graft-versus-host disease were monitored. [Pancreas]

PANCREATIC CANCER

FOLFIRINOX versus Gemcitabine for Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer
As compared with gemcitabine, FOLFIRINOX was associated with a survival advantage and had increased toxicity. FOLFIRINOX is an option for the treatment of patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer and good performance status. [N Engl J Med]

Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDA) Mice Lacking Mucin 1 Have a Profound Defect in Tumor Growth and Metastasis
In the present study, researchers have generated mouse models that spontaneously develop pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, which are either Muc1-null or express human MUC1. [Cancer Res]

Pancreatic Stellate Cells Radioprotect Pancreatic Cancer Cells through β1-Integrin Signaling
Researchers show that pancreatic stellate cells promote radioprotection and stimulate proliferation in pancreatic cancer cells in direct coculture. [Cancer Res]

IGF1-R Signals Through the RON Receptor to Mediate Pancreatic Cancer Cell Migration
To better understand RON function in pancreatic cancer cells, researchers sought to identify novel RON interactants. [Carcinogenesis]

Paranuclear Dot-like Immunostaining for CD99: A Unique Staining Pattern for Diagnosing Solid-Pseudopapillary Neoplasm of the Pancreas
The aim of this study was to investigate the diagnostic value of CD99 in solid-pseudopapillary neoplasm. Researchers investigated immunohistochemical staining for CD99 in tissue microarray blocks from 55 cases of pancreatic solid-pseudopapillary neoplasm, 51 cases of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor, and 54 cases of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. [Am J Surg Pathol]

The Roles of Cell Surface Attachment Molecules and Coagulation Factor X in Adenovirus 5-Mediated Gene Transfer in Pancreatic Cancer Cells
Transduction of 11 pancreatic cancer cell lines with a replication-deficient adenovirus 5 expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein (Ad5EGFP) was analyzed and variable EGFP levels were observed, ranging from <1% to ~40% of cells transduced, depending on the cell line. [Cancer Gene Ther]

JDRF and Amylin Partner to Investigate Co-Formulating Two Hormones for Treatment of Type 1 Diabetes
The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) and Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that they have entered into a research collaboration agreement to provide financial support for a series of clinical studies to investigate the feasibility of mixing pramlintide, an analog of the human hormone amylin, with insulin to treat type 1 diabetes. [Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Press Release]

The Sanford Project & DiaMedica Announce Successful Type 1 Diabetes NOD Mouse Study with DM-199
The Sanford Project & DiaMedica announce the successful completion of a study involving DM-199 in preventing the onset of Type 1 diabetes in the  non-obese diabetic (NOD) mouse model. [DiaMedica Inc. Press Release]

NEW Gordon Research Conferences: Cell Growth & Proliferation – Connecting Cell Cycle Regulation to Cancer Biology
June 26-July 1, 2011 
Biddeford, United States

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

Postdoctoral Position (Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Diabetes/Cardiovascular Disease (Children’s Hospital Boston/Harvard Medical School)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Bioinformatics/Computational Biology – Diabetes (Lund University)

Postdoctoral Fellow with Expertise in Endocrinology and Mouse Models of Disease (National Spanish Research Council – CSIC)

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