Pancreatic Cell News Volume 3.14 | Apr 10 2012

DIABETES

Self-Renewing Endodermal Progenitor Lines Generated from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells
Researchers established endodermal progenitor (EP) cell lines from human embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells. Upon manipulation of their culture conditions in vitro or transplantation into mice, clonally derived EP cells differentiate into numerous endodermal lineages, including monohormonal glucose-responsive pancreatic β-cells, hepatocytes, and intestinal epithelia. [Cell Stem Cell] Abstract | Press Release

Bile Acids Acutely Stimulate Insulin Secretion of Mouse β-Cells via Farnesoid X Receptor Activation and ATP-Sensitive Potassium Channel Inhibition
Researchers’ aim was to test whether pancreatic β-cells contribute to bile acid-dependent regulation of glucose homeostasis. [Diabetes] Abstract

Reduced Insulin Exocytosis in Human Pancreatic β-Cells with Gene Variants Linked to Type 2 Diabetes
Scientists functionally characterized human islets to determine secretory, biophysical, and ultrastructural features in relation to genetic risk profiles in diabetic and nondiabetic donors. [Diabetes] Abstract

Transplantation of Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Pancreatic Endoderm Reveals a Site-Specific Survival, Growth and Differentiation
Researchers evaluated the in vivo growth and differentiation of PDX1⁺ pancreatic endoderm cells obtained from human embryonic stem cells. [Cell Transplant] Abstract

Enhanced GLP-1- and Sulfonylurea-Induced Insulin Secretion in Islets Lacking Leptin Signaling
To investigate the relevance of β-cell leptin signaling in the context of postprandial or therapeutic insulin secretion, researchers examined the cross talk between leptin and glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1 and sulfonylurea actions. [Mol Endocrinol] Abstract

PANCREATIC CANCER

The Activity of Gli Transcription Factors Is Essential for Kras-Induced Pancreatic Tumorigenesis
Researchers found that transcriptional activation mediated by the Gli family of transcription factors is required for Kras-induced proliferation and survival in primary pancreatic epithelial cells in culture and for Kras-driven pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma formation in vivo. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

Transcriptional Intermediary Factor γ (Tifγ) Suppresses Murine Pancreatic Tumoral Transformation by an Smad4-Independent Pathway
Investigators report that aged Pdx1-Cre; LSL-Kras^G12D; Tif1γ^lox/lox mice develop pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas demonstrating a Tif1γ tumor-suppressive function in the development of pancreatic carcinogenesis. [Am J Pathol] Abstract

The Tyrosine Kinase c-Src Directly Mediates Growth Factor-Induced Notch-1 and Furin Interaction and Notch-1 Activation in Pancreatic Cancer Cells
Researchers found that the Notch-1-Furin interaction is regulated by the non-receptor tyrosine kinase, c-Src. c-Src and Notch-1 are physically associated, and this association is responsible for Notch-1 processing and activation. [PLoS One] Abstract

Syndecan-2 Promotes Perineural Invasion and Cooperates with K-ras to Induce an Invasive Pancreatic Cancer Cell Phenotype
Syndecan-2 expression was analyzed in human normal pancreas, chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic adenocarcinoma tissues. Functional in vitro assays were carried out to determine its role in invasion, migration and signaling. [Mol Cancer] Abstract

Chemokine CXCL12 Activates Dual CXCR4 and CXCR7-Mediated Signaling Pathways in Pancreatic Cancer Cells
Researchers used immunohistochemistry to determine the extent of chemokine receptor co-expression in pancreatic cancer tissue samples and immunoblotting to verify expression in pancreatic cancer cell lines. [J Transl Med] Abstract

New Boost for Pancreatic Cancer Therapy
Scientists are developing a new way to treat pancreatic cancer by boosting the effects of gemcitabine. [Press release from the Fox Chase Cancer Center discussing research presented at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2012, Chicago] Press Release

Immunotherapy and Chemotherapy Regimen May Prolong Survival in Advanced Cancers
Maintenance therapy with interleukin-2 and 13-cis retinoic acid may be an inexpensive method for increasing survival in patients with a variety of stage 4 cancers. [Press release from the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) discussing research presented at the AACR Annual Meeting 2012, Chicago]
Press Release

Neuroendocrine Tumor Program Recognized for Excellence
Steven K. Libutti, MD, has been selected to be a member of the research team that will receive support from the 2012 Caring for Carcinoid Foundation – American Association for Cancer Research Grant for Carcinoid Tumor and Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor Research by the grant recipient, Renata Pasqualini, PhD. [Montefiore Medical Center] Press Release

New Chief of Transplantation Surgery Joins UF
Dr. Jeffrey Fair has joined the University of Florida (UF) College of Medicine’s department of surgery as chief of the division of transplantation surgery. UF Department of Surgery Chairman Dr. Kevin Behrns said Fair brings vast experience in transplantation of the liver, kidney and pancreas to the division, which focuses on abdominal organ transplantation. [University of Florida] Press Release

BCM Researchers Awarded $2 Million in New Wave of State Cancer Funding
Researchers from the NCI-designated Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center at Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) have received an additional $2 million in the most recent wave of funding announced by the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas. [Baylor College of Medicine] 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)

Scientist – Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Scientist – hPSC Bioengineering (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Scientist – Antibody and Hybridoma Technology Platforms (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Business Analyst – Product Management (STEMSOFT Software, Inc.)

Scientist – Epithelial Cell Research (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Scientist – Hematology (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Scientist – hPSC (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Scientist – Endothelial Cells (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Diabetes Genetics Department (INSERM)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Stem Cell Biology (City of Hope Beckman Research Institute)

Postdoctoral Research Assistant (Queen Mary, University of London)

Director of The Diabetes and Metabolic Disease Research Program (The Methodist Hospital Research Institute)


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