Pancreatic Cell News Volume 3.05 | Feb 7 2012

DIABETES

GAD65 Antigen Therapy in Recently Diagnosed Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus
Investigators hypothesized that alum-formulated GAD65 (GAD-alum) can preserve beta-cell function in patients with recent-onset type 1 diabetes. [N Engl J Med] Abstract | Press Release

Optimal Elevation of β-Cell 11β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 1 Is a Compensatory Mechanism that Prevents High Fat Diet-Induced β-Cell Failure
To define the direct impact of elevated pancreatic β-cell 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1) on insulin secretion, researchers generated β-cell-specific, 11β-HSD1-overexpressing mice on a strain background prone to β-cell failure. [Diabetes] Abstract

Loss of Both ABCA1 and ABCG1 Results in Increased Disturbances in Islet Sterol Homeostasis, Inflammation, and Impaired β-Cell Function
To determine whether ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters ABCA1 and ABCG1 have complementary roles in β-cells, mice lacking ABCG1 and β-cell ABCA1 were generated and glucose tolerance, islet sterol levels, and β-cell function were assessed. [Diabetes] Abstract

miR-33a Modulates ABCA1 Expression, Cholesterol Accumulation, and Insulin Secretion in Pancreatic Islets
Researchers examined whether microRNA-33a (miR-33a) regulates ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) expression in pancreatic islets, thereby affecting cholesterol accumulation and insulin secretion. [Diabetes] Abstract

Deletion of Fas Protects Islet Beta Cells from Cytotoxic Effects of Human Islet Amyloid Polypeptide
Researchers used islet beta cells as well as two ex vivo models of islet amyloid formation, cultured human islets and human islet amyloid polypeptide (hIAPP)-expressing transgenic mouse islets with or without beta cell Fas deletion, to test whether the aggregation of endogenous hIAPP induces Fas upregulation in beta cells and whether deletion or blocking of Fas protects beta cells from amyloid toxicity. [Diabetologia] Abstract

PANCREATIC CANCER

Hedgehog-EGFR Cooperation Response Genes Determine the Oncogenic Phenotype of Basal Cell Carcinoma and Tumor-Initiating Pancreatic Cancer Cells
Researchers describe Hedgehog (HH)-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) cooperation response genes including SOX2, SOX9, JUN, CXCR4 and FGF19 that are synergistically activated by HH-EGFR signal integration and required for in vivo growth of basal cell carcinoma cells and tumor-initiating pancreatic cancer cells. [EMBO Mol Med] Abstract

Chemically-Modified Peptides Targeting the PDZ Domain of GIPC as a Therapeutic Approach for Cancer
Previously researchers developed a molecular probe, the cell permeable octapeptide CR1023, which diminished proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells. The researchers have expanded upon that discovery using a chemical modification approach, and here report a series of cell permeable, side chain-modified lipopeptides that target the GIPC (GAIP-interacting protein, C terminus) PDZ domain in vitro and in vivo. [ACS Chem Biol] Abstract

Small Cell and Large Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinomas of the Pancreas Are Genetically Similar and Distinct from Well-Differentiated Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors
The aim of this study was to determine the clinicopathologic and genetic features of poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas and compare them with other types of pancreatic neoplasms. [Am J Surg Pathol] Abstract

Oncogenic MST1R Activity in Pancreatic and Gastric Cancer Represents a Valid Target of HSP90 Inhibitors
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of HSP90 blockade by EC154 on the oncogenic receptor tyrosine kinase macrophage-stimulating 1 receptor (MST1R) in gastric and pancreatic cancer. [Anticancer Res] Abstract

Mesoblast Receives FDA Clearance for Phase II Clinical Trial of Proprietary Stem Cell Therapy in Type 2 Diabetes
Mesoblast Limited announced that it has received clearance from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to begin a Phase II clinical trial of its proprietary adult stem cells for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. [Mesoblast Limited] Press Release

$30 Million Gift to Fast Forward Health Care Research, Education and Care at McMaster University
A Hamilton family is giving McMaster University $30 million to accelerate the university’s innovations in health research, education and care. [McMaster University] 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)

NEW American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) – Pancreatic Cancer: Progress and Challenges
June 18-21, 2012
Lake Tahoe, United States

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

Research and Development Technologist, hPSC Media (STEMCELL Technologies) 

Scientist – Pluripotent Stem Cells (STEMCELL Technologies)

Scientific Marketing Communications Specialist (STEMCELL Technologies)

Research Technologist, Manufacturing Sciences (STEMCELL Technologies)

Business Analyst – Product Management (STEMSOFT Software)

Postdoctoral Associate for Diabetes Research (Sanford Burnham Medical Research Institute)

Associate Professor – Stem Cell Biology and Diabetes (McEwen Centre for Regenerative Medicine)

PhD Scholarships – Ion Transport Proteins in Control of Cancer Cell Behavior (Copenhagen University, Faculty of Science)

PhD Student Positions – Stem Cell Differentiation and Cellular Reprogramming (University Hospital of Ulm)


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