Pancreatic Cell News Volume 2.46 | Nov 22 2011

DIABETES

Cellular Mechanisms of Restored β-Cell Tolerance Mediated by Protective Alleles of Idd3 and Idd5
To define where the protective alleles of Idd3 and the Idd5 subregions must be present to protect from diabetes and tolerize islet-specific CD8⁺ T cells, SCID mice were reconstituted so that the host and lymphocytes expressed various combinations of protective and susceptibility alleles at Idd3 and Idd5. [Diabetes] Abstract

Early Insulin Therapy Prevents Beta Cell Loss in a Mouse Model for Permanent Neonatal Diabetes (Munich Ins2^C95S)
The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of early insulin treatment on glucose homeostasis and beta cell destruction in male Munich Ins2 ^C95S mutants. [Diabetologia] Abstract

Role of IGF Binding Protein 3 in the Regulation of β-Cell Mass during Obesity: Adipose Tissue/β-Cell Cross Talk
This study analyzed the role of adipose tissue in the control of β-cell replication. [Endocrinology] Abstract

dsAAV8-Mediated Gene Transfer and β-Cell Expression of IL-4 and β-Cell Growth Factors Are Capable of Reversing Early-Onset Diabetes in NOD Mice
Here, researchers examined whether double-stranded adeno-associated virus serotype 8 (dsAAV8)-mediated gene delivery to endogenous β-cells of interleukin (IL)-4 in combination with β-cell growth factors can reverse early-onset diabetes in NOD mice. [Gene Ther] Abstract

Insulin Degradation by Acinar Cell Proteases Creates a Dysfunctional Environment for Human Islets Before/After Transplantation: Benefits of α-1 Antitrypsin Treatment
The aims of this study were to identify how acinar cell proteases cause human islet cell loss before and after transplantation of impure islet preparations and to prevent islet loss and improve function with supplementation of α-1 antitrypsin. [Transplantation] Abstract

PANCREATIC CANCER

EpCAM/CD3-Bispecific T Cell Engaging Antibody M110 Eliminates Primary Human Pancreatic Cancer Stem Cells
Since pancreatic cancer stem cells (CSC) have been isolated based on EpCAM expression, researchers investigated whether a targeted immunotherapy to EpCAM using the bispecific T cell engaging antibody MT110 is capable of eradicating CSC. [Clin Cancer Res] Abstract

Myofibroblast-Induced Tumorigenicity of Pancreatic Ductal Epithelial Cells Is L1CAM-Dependent
This study aimed at investigating whether pancreatic myofibroblasts and L1CAM drive malignant transformation of pancreatic ductal epithelial cells by enhancing their tumorigenic potential. [Carcinogenesis] Abstract

Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor and Insulinlike Growth Factor 1 Receptor Expression Predict Poor Survival in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of epidermal growth factor receptor and insulinlike growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-1R) proteins and IGF-1R gene copy numbers in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma in relation to patients’ characteristics and prognosis. [Cancer] Abstract

Metformin Inhibits Cell Proliferation, Migration and Invasion by Attenuating CSC Function Mediated by Deregulating miRNAs in Pancreatic Cancer Cells
In the current study, researchers examined the effect of metformin on cell proliferation, cell migration and invasion, self-renewal capacity of cancer stem-like cells (CSC), and further assessed the expression of CSC marker genes and microRNAs (miRNAs) in human pancreatic cancer cells. [Cancer Prev Res] Abstract

Hedgehog Signaling Antagonist GDC-0449 (Vismodegib) Inhibits Pancreatic Cancer Stem Cell Characteristics: Molecular Mechanisms
The objectives of this study were to examine the molecular mechanisms by which GDC-0449 regulates human pancreatic cancer stem cell characteristics in vitro. [PLoS One] Abstract

ZIOPHARM Oncology Presents New Darinaparsin Preclinical Prostate and Pancreatic Cancer Data
ZIOPHARM Oncology, Inc. announced new preclinical data from two separate studies of darinaparsin (Zinapar^® or ZIO-101), a novel organic arsenic, in various solid tumor models. [Press release from ZIOPHARM Oncology, Inc. discussing research presented at the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics, San Francisco] Press Release

Niiki Pharma Reports on Synergistic Activity of Novel Anti-Cancer Agent NKP-1339 with Other Anti-Cancer Agents
Niiki Pharma Inc. presented the results of preclinical combination studies of its lead product, NKP-1339. [Press release from Niiki Pharma Inc. discussing research presented at the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics, San Francisco] Press Release

VistaGen Therapeutics and University Health Network (Toronto) Extend Broad Stem Cell Alliance and Expand Scope of Collaborative Research
Research conducted at the University Health Network and VistaGen labs will include the development of stem cell-based drug discovery and drug rescue technologies, using mature cardiac, liver and pancreatic beta-islet, blood and cartilage cells. [VistaGen Therapeutics, Inc.] Press Release

RNL Opens the World’s Largest Stem Cell Medical Center in Beijing, China
RNL BIO has just founded the world’s largest stem cell medical center in Beijing, China. [PR Newswire]
Press Release

National Institutes of Health (United States)

Food and Drug Administration (United States)
 
Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (United States)

European Medicines Agency (European Union)

Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (United Kingdom)

National Health Service (United Kingdom)

Therapeutic Goods Administration (Australia)

Lab Technologist – Tissue Culture (STEMCELL Technologies)

Research and Development Technologist, hPSC Media (STEMCELL Technologies) 

Lab Technologist – Pluripotent Stem Cells (STEMCELL Technologies)

Scientist – Pluripotent Stem Cells (STEMCELL Technologies)

Scientific Marketing Communications Specialist (STEMCELL Technologies)

Business Analyst – Product Management (STEMSOFT Software)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Islet Cell Electrophysiology (Vanderbilt University)    

Professor of Metabolism and Diabetes (Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences)

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