Pancreatic Cell News Volume 3.20 | May 22 2012

DIABETES

Homeoprotein hhex-Induced Conversion of Intestinal to Ventral Pancreatic Precursors Results in the Formation of Giant Pancreata in Xenopus Embryos
Ectopic expression of a critical dose of hematopoietically expressed homeobox (hhex) led to a greatly enlarged ventral pancreatic precursor 1 (vpp1)-positive domain and, subsequently, to the formation of giant ventral pancreata, putatively by conversion of intestinal to ventral pancreatic precursor cells. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

Cytokine and Chemokine Production by Human Pancreatic Islets Upon Enterovirus Infection
Researchers aimed to gain insight into the cytokines and chemokines that are produced by human pancreatic islets upon infection with coxsackie B viruses. [Diabetes] Abstract

Anks4b, a Novel Target of HNF4α Interacts with GRP78 and Regulates Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-Induced Apoptosis in Pancreatic β-Cells
Results indicated that ankyrin repeat and sterile alpha motif domain containing 4b (Anks4b) is a HNF4α target gene that regulates endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in β-cells by interacting with glucose regulated protein 78 (GRP78), thus suggesting that HNF4α is involved in maintenance of the ER. [J Biol Chem] Full Article

Antiaging Gene Klotho Enhances Glucose-Induced Insulin Secretion by Up-Regulating Plasma Membrane Levels of Transient Receptor Potential V2 in MIN6 β-Cells
Klotho is expressed in mouse pancreatic islets and in insulinoma β-cells (MIN6 β-cells). Researchers investigated whether Klotho plays a role in the regulation of insulin secretion in MIN6 β-cells by overexpression and silencing of Klotho. [Endocrinology] Abstract

Plasticity of Adult Human Pancreatic Duct Cells by Neurogenin3-Mediated Reprogramming
Duct cells isolated from the adult human pancreas can be reprogrammed to express islet beta cell genes by adenoviral transduction of the developmental transcription factor neurogenin3. In this study researchers aimed to fully characterize the extent of this reprogramming and intended to improve it. [PLoS One]
Full Article

PANCREATIC CANCER

Serotonin Regulates Amylase Secretion and Acinar Cell Damage during Murine Pancreatitis
The authors analyzed whether serotonin regulates zymogen secretion in pancreatic acinar cells and the development of pancreatic inflammation. [Gut] Abstract

Deletion of the Endothelial Bmx Tyrosine Kinase Decreases Tumor Angiogenesis and Growth
Isogenic colon, lung, and melanoma tumor xenotransplants showed reductions in growth and tumor angiogenesis in Bmx gene-deleted (-/-) mice, while developmental angiogenesis was not affected. In addition, growth of transgenic pancreatic islet carcinomas and intestinal adenomas was also slower in Bmx-/- mice. [Cancer Res] Abstract

HOTAIR Is a Negative Prognostic Factor and Exhibits Pro-Oncogenic Activity in Pancreatic Cancer
Investigators show that HOTAIR expression is increased in pancreatic tumors compared with non-tumor tissue and is associated with more aggressive tumors. [Oncogene] Abstract

Nicotine/Cigarette Smoke Promotes Metastasis of Pancreatic Cancer through α7nAChR-Mediated MUC4 Upregulation
Researchers explored a potential link between MUC4 expression and smoking-mediated pancreatic cancer (PC) pathogenesis and report that both cigarette smoke extract and nicotine significantly upregulates MUC4 in PC cells. [Oncogene] Abstract

FKBP5 as a Selection Biomarker for Gemcitabine and Akt Inhibitors in Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer
Investigators used a pancreatic cancer xenograft mouse model to show that down regulation of FKBP5 in shFKBP5 xenograft mice promotes tumor growth and resistance to gemcitabine. [PLoS One] Full Article

Pancreatic Cancer May Be Detected with Simple Intestinal Probe
By simply shining a tiny light within the small intestine, close to that organ’s junction with the pancreas, physicians have been able to detect pancreatic cancer 100 percent of the time in a small study. [Press release from Mayo Clinic discussing research to be presented at Digestive Disease Week (DDW) 2012, San Diego] Press Release

Surgical Oncologist Presents Promising Data for Novel Pancreatic Cancer Vaccine
A novel pancreatic cancer vaccine showed promise in improving survival and represents a potential breakthrough in the treatment of this deadly disease. [Press release from University Hospitals discussing research to be presented at Digestive Disease Week (DDW) 2012, San Diego] Press Release

Academic Health Center Biorepository Established to Advance Cancer and Other Medical Research in Northwest Ohio
ProMedica and The University of Toledo announced the opening of the Academic Health Center BioRepository to help researchers find new and improved treatments for cancer and other medical conditions, including autism, Alzheimer’s disease and diabetes. [ProMedica] Press Release

Bristol-Myers Squibb and Tsinghua University Enter Strategic Partnership
Under the agreement, Bristol-Myers Squibb will fund research efforts at Tsinghua University’s School of Life Sciences to identify and validate novel targets in oncology and immunoscience. [Bristol-Myers Squibb] Press Release

New Teva Representative Joins Mesoblast Board of Directors
Global regenerative medicine company Mesoblast Limited announced the appointment of Dr Ben-Zion Weiner as a non-executive Director of Mesoblast. [Mesoblast Limited] 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 – Endothelial Cells (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

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

Research Associate – Chemistry (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Research Associate – Particle Chemistry (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Research Technologist – Contract Assay Services (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Postdoctoral Position – Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine (Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Pancreatic Tumor Cell Signaling (Mayo Clinic)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Department of Bioengineering and Barbara Davis Center (University of Colorado at Denver)


Recruit Top Talent: Reach more than 50,000 potential candidates by posting your organization’s career opportunities on the Connexon Creative Job Board at no cost.

Have we missed an important article or publication in Pancreatic Cell News? Click here to submit!

Comments or Suggestions? Email info@connexoncreative.com with your feedback.