Pancreatic Cell News Volume 3.29 | Jul 24 2012

DIABETES

Multipotent Stem/Progenitor Cells in the Human Fetal Biliary Tree
Researchers evaluated the human fetal biliary trees as sources of stem/progenitor cells of multiple endodermal-derived mature fates. [J Hepatol] Abstract

Local In Vivo GSK3β Knockdown Promotes Pancreatic β Cell and Acinar Cell Regeneration in 90% Pancreatectomized Rat
Researchers developed an in vivo technique based on local silencing of GSK3β, by delivering antisense morpholino-oligonucleotides within the remnant pancreas of 90% pancreatectomized rats, and evaluated its impact on the regenerative potential of pancreatic β and exocrine cells. [Mol Ther] Abstract

Identification of Direct Forkhead Box O1 Targets Involved in Palmitate-Induced Apoptosis in Clonal Insulin-Secreting Cells Using Chromatin Immunoprecipitation Coupled to DNA Selection and Ligation
Investigators identified which direct downstream targets of forkhead box O1 are involved in palmitate-induced apoptosis in the pancreatic beta cell line MIN6. [Diabetologia] Abstract

Cyclooxygenase-2, not mPGES-1, Is the Dominant Regulator of IL-1β-Induced PGE2 Production and Subsequent Inhibition of Pancreatic Islet β-Cell Function during Inflammation
The authors used isolated human and rodent pancreatic islets to examine interleukin (IL)-1β-induced prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production because PGE2 has been shown to mediate IL-1β inhibition of islet function. [J Biol Chem] Abstract | Full Article

An Isolated Venous Sac as a Novel Site for Cell Therapy in Diabetes Mellitus
Researchers evaluated in animals whether an isolated venous sac would support survival of transplanted islets, along with correction of hyperglycemia. [Transplantation] Abstract

PANCREATIC CANCER

Redirected T Cells that Target Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Antigens Eliminate Tumors and Metastases in Mice
Scientists investigated the effects of adoptive transfer of tumor-specific T cells that express antibody-based chimeric receptors to mice with primary and metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma xenografts. [Gastroenterology] Abstract

Homotypic Cell Cannibalism, a Cell-Death Process Regulated by the Nuclear Protein 1, Opposes Metastasis in Pancreatic Cancer
Data indicated a protective role for homotypic cell cannibalism in pancreatic adenocarcinoma and identified nuclear protein 1 as a molecular regulator of this process. [EMBO Mol Med] Abstract

Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor (MIF) Induces Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition, Enhances Tumor Aggressiveness and Predicts Clinical Outcome in Resected Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
Indicative of an increased malignant potential, MIF over-expressing cells showed significant increases in their invasion ability in vitro, and tumor growth and metastasis in an orthotopic xenograft mouse model. [Int J Cancer] Abstract

Evaluation of a Gene-Directed Enzyme-Product Therapy (GDEPT) in Human Pancreatic Tumor Cells and Their Use as In Vivo Models for Pancreatic Cancer
Researchers comprehensively compared six human pancreatic cancer cell lines in subcutaneous and orthotopical mouse models as well as in their susceptibility to different GDEPTs. [PLoS One]
Full Article | Press Release

Activated K-Ras and INK4a/Arf Deficiency Promote Aggressiveness of Pancreatic Cancer by Induction of EMT Consistent with Cancer Stem Cell Phenotype
Results suggested that the acquisition of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) phenotype and induction of cancer stem cell characteristics could be linked with the aggressiveness of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma mediated in part through the activation of PDGF-D signaling. [J Cell Physiol] Abstract

Caspase Inhibitor Enters Clinical Trial in Islet Transplantation as Treatment for Diabetes
Conatus Pharmaceuticals Inc. and the University of Alberta announced the treatment of the first patient in an investigator-initiated islet cell transplant Phase I/II trial of emricasan, a pan-caspase inhibitor. [Conatus Pharmaceuticals Inc.] Press Release

$4.7 Million Study Looks at Why Diabetes Makes Heart Disease Worse
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have received a $4.7 million grant from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute to investigate heart disease in patients with diabetes. [Washington University in St. Louis] Press Release

Cancer Research UK Receives Largest Ever Donation
Cancer Research UK has been given a gift of £10 million from one of its supporters.  This is the largest one-off donation the charity has ever received, and comes alongside an additional gift of £10 million from the same donor for the University of Southampton. [Cancer Research UK] 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 – Epithelial Cell Research (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.)

Research Technologist – Media Development (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Research Technologist – Research and Development (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Scientific Communications & Publishing Coordinator (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Quality Control Operations Coordinator (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Postdoctoral Research Position for Minority Candidate (New York Obesity Research Center)

Clinical Coordinator (New York Obesity Nutrition Research Center)

Research Fellow in Diabetes Research (Monash University)

Postdoctoral Research Position (University Lille 2 France)

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