DIABETES Intrapancreatic Delivery of Human Umbilical Cord Blood Aldehyde Dehydrogenase-Producing Cells Promotes Islet Regeneration Researchers sought to investigate the stimulation of islet regeneration by transplanted human umbilical cord blood cells purified according to high aldehyde dehydrogenase activity, a conserved characteristic of multiple progenitor lineages. [Diabetologia] Abstract Cannabinoids Induce Pancreatic β-Cell Death by Directly Inhibiting Insulin Receptor Activation Investigators report that Cannabinoid 1 receptors form a heteromeric complex with insulin receptors and the heterotrimeric guanosine triphosphate–binding protein α subunit Gαi [Sci Signal] Abstract Ectopic Transgenic Expression of NKX2.2 Induces Differentiation of Adult Pancreatic Progenitors and Mediates Islet Regeneration To pursue islet regeneration in situ in adult pancreas with a diabetic animal model, investigators used ultrasound targeted microbubble destruction to deliver islet transcription factor genes to the pancreas of STZ-treated rats, specifically using a piggyBac transposon gene delivery system for long-term transgene expression of Nkx2.2 in STZ rat pancreas. [Cell Cycle] Abstract Developmental Programming of Neonatal Pancreatic β-Cells by a Maternal Low Protein Diet in Rats Involves a Switch from Proliferation to Differentiation Scientists hypothesized that intrauterine and/or postnatal developmental programming seen in maternal low protein diets involves altered β-cell structure and relative time course of expression of genes critical to β-cell differentiation and growth. [Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab] Abstract A Role for Aberrant Protein Palmitoylation in FFA-Induced ER Stress and Beta Cell Death The purpose of this study was to evaluate the hypothesis that palmitate-induced ER stress and β-cell toxicity is mediated by excess or aberrant protein palmitoylation. [Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab] Abstract Role of T-Cell-Specific Nuclear Factor [Kappa]B in Islet Allograft Rejection Researchers tested whether NF-[kappa]B in T cells is required for the rejection of islet allografts. [Transplantation] Abstract EphB3 Marks Delaminating Endocrine Progenitor Cells in the Developing Pancreas Investigators identify EphB3 as a novel pro-endocrine marker and use its expression to track delaminating islet lineages. [Dev Dyn] Abstract PANCREATIC CANCER Chromatin-Targeting Small Molecules Cause Class-Specific Transcriptional Changes in Pancreatic Endocrine Cells Researchers describe the genome-wide expression changes induced by 29 compounds targeting histone deacetylases, DNA methyltransferases, histone lysine methyltransferases, and protein arginine methyltransferases in pancreatic α- and β-cell lines. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract Down-Regulation of the CCK-B Receptor in Pancreatic Cancer Cells Blocks Proliferation and Promotes Apoptosis Scientists proposed that the CCK-B receptor (CKK-BR) drives growth of pancreatic cancer; hence, interruption of CCK-BR activity could potentially be an ideal target for cancer therapeutics. [Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol] Abstract Insulin-Like Growth Factor I Receptor Involvement in Proliferation of NOR-P1 Cells in Serum-Free Media Insulin-like growth factor-I is up-regulated in pancreatic cancer tissues. Pancreatic cancer cell lines were analyzed in serum-free media as a model of the fibrous tissues that these cells often invade. [J Cell Biochem] Abstract Recombinant Human Activated Protein C (Xigris) Attenuates Murine Cerulein-Induced Acute Pancreatitis via Regulation of Nuclear Factor [Kappa]B and Apoptotic Pathways Microvascular thrombosis occurs in severe acute pancreatitis (AP). Exploiting this knowledge, researchers used human recombinant activated protein C known to preserve microvascular patency, in evaluating the role of Xigris in experimental AP. [Pancreas] Abstract |