Pancreatic Cell News Volume 3.21 | May 29 2012

DIABETES

Bmi1 Is Required for Regeneration of the Exocrine Pancreas in Mice
Bmi1 is present in a subpopulation of self-renewing pancreatic acinar cells and is expressed in response to pancreatic damage. Here, researchers investigated the role of Bmi1 in exocrine pancreas regeneration. [Gastroenterology] Abstract

Differentiating Neural Crest Stem Cells Induce Proliferation of Cultured Rodent Islet Beta Cells
The authors developed a new in vitro co-culture system that enables the dissection of the elements that control the cellular interactions that lead to neural crest stem cell-dependent increase in islet beta cells. [Diabetologia] Abstract

A Scalable System for Production of Functional Pancreatic Progenitors from Human Embryonic Stem Cells
Researchers describe human embryonic stem cell expansion and banking methods and a suspension-based differentiation system, which together underpin an integrated scalable manufacturing process for producing pancreatic progenitors. [PLoS One] Full Article

Blood Flow in Endogenous and Transplanted Pancreatic Islets in Anesthetized Rats: Effects of Lactate and Pyruvate
Scientists evaluated the effects of exogenously administered lactate and pyruvate on blood perfusion in endogenous and transplanted islets. [Pancreas] Abstract

α-Lipoic Acid Inhibits High Glucose-Induced Apoptosis in HIT-T15 Cells
The authors assessed whether α-lipoic acid could inhibit apoptosis in beta cells exposed to high glucose concentrations. [Dev Growth Differ] Abstract

PANCREATIC CANCER

Chronic Cadmium Exposure In Vitro Causes Acquisition of Multiple Tumor Cell Characteristics in Human Pancreatic Epithelial Cells
Researchers studied cadmium-exposure of human pancreatic ductal epithelial cells and whether stem cells may be targeted in this process. [Environ Health Perspect] Abstract

Re-Expression of miR-200 by Novel Approaches Regulates the Expression of PTEN and MT1-MMP in Pancreatic Cancer
The authors found loss of expression of microRNA (miR)-200a, b and c in chemo-resistant pancreatic cancer cell lines, which was correlated with loss of PTEN (Phosphatase and tensin homolog) and over-expression of membrane type-1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP). [Carcinogenesis] Abstract

Molecular Mechanisms Involved in the Synergistic Interaction of the EZH2 Inhibitor 3-Deazaneplanocin A (DZNeP) with Gemcitabine in Pancreatic Cancer Cells
DZNeP and DZNeP/gemcitabine combination significantly reduced the volume of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma spheroids growing in cancer-stem-cell-selective-medium, and decreased the proportion of CD133+ cells. [Mol Cancer Ther] Abstract

Whole Blood DNA Aberrant Methylation in Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Shows Association with the Course of the Disease: A Pilot Study
Results showed that in the patient’s blood, tumor suppressor genes were slightly but significantly more methylated at several CpG sites, while repeats were slightly less methylated compared to control blood. This was found to be significantly associated with higher risk for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. [PLoS One] Full Article

miR-301a Promotes Pancreatic Cancer Cell Proliferation by Directly Inhibiting Bim Expression
Researchers assayed the expression level of microRNA (miR)-301a in pancreatic cancer tissues by real-time PCR, and defined the target gene and biological function by luciferase reporter assay and western blot analysis. [J Cell Biochem] Abstract

Andromeda Announces FDA Orphan Drug Designation for DiaPep277^® for the Treatment of Type 1 Diabetes with Residual Beta Cell Function
Andromeda Biotech Ltd. announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Orphan Drug designation for DiaPep277^® for the treatment of type 1 diabetes patients with residual beta cell function. [Andromeda Biotech Ltd.] Press Release

UPMC Presbyterian Shadyside Hospital Will Participate in Aetna’s Institutes of Excellence™ Transplant Network
Aetna announced that UPMC Presbyterian Shadyside Hospital has been designated as a participating facility in Aetna’s Institutes of Excellence™ Transplant Network. UPMC Presbyterian Shadyside will provide transplant care to adult Aetna members for bone marrow/stem cell, heart, kidney, liver, lung, pancreas, intestine and simultaneous pancreas/kidney procedures. [Aetna Inc.] Press Release

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; Notice of Closed Meetings (FR Doc No: 2012-12844) [National Institutes of Health, United States]

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)

Postdoctoral Position – Molecular Endocrinology (Karolinska Institute)


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