Pancreatic Cell News Volume 3.30 | Jul 31 2012

DIABETES

Inactivation of the Dual Bmp/Wnt Inhibitor, Sostdc1, Enhances Pancreatic Islet Function
Investigators found the dual Bmp and Wnt antagonist Sostdc1 to be up-regulated in a mouse model of islet dysmorphogenesis and non-immune mediated, lean diabetes. Because Bmp signaling has been proposed to enhance β cell function, they evaluated the role of Sostdc1 in adult islet function using animals in which Sostdc1 was globally deleted. [Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab] Abstract

Impaired Autophagic Function in Rat Islets with Aging
Results suggest that β-cell and autophagic function in islets decline simultaneously with increasing age in Wistar rats, and that impaired autophagy in the islets of older rats may cause accumulation of misfolded and aggregated proteins and reduce the removal of abnormal mitochondria in β-cells, leading to reduced β-cell function. [Age] Abstract

Calcium-Sensing Receptor Activation Increases Cell-Cell Adhesion and β-Cell Function
Data suggest that activation of the calcium-sensing receptor increases E-cadherin mediated functional tethering between β-cells and increases expression of L-type VDCC and secretagogue-evoked changes in [Ca²⁺]_i. [Cell Physiol Biochem] Abstract

Increased Secretion of Insulin and Proliferation of Islet β-Cells in Rats with Mesenteric Lymph Duct Ligation
Researchers investigated the influence of ligation of the mesenteric lymph duct on glucose metabolism and islet β-cells in rats. [Biochem Biophys Res Commun] Abstract

PANCREATIC CANCER

NFATc3 Regulates Trypsinogen Activation, Neutrophil Recruitment, and Tissue Damage in Acute Pancreatitis in Mice
Researchers explored the involvement of the calcium- and calcineurin-dependent transcription factor nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFAT) in development of acute pancreatitis in mice. [Gastroenterology] Abstract

Activation of Soluble Adenylyl Cyclase Protects against Secretagogue Stimulated Zymogen Activation in Rat Pancreatic Acinar Cells
Data suggest that activation of soluble adenylyl cyclase in the pancreatic acinar cell has a protective effect and reduces the pathologic activation of proteases during pancreatitis. [PLoS One] Full Article

Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3 Inhibition Sensitizes Pancreatic Cancer Cells to TRAIL-Induced Apoptosis
Researchers reported that glycogen synthase kinase-3 inhibition using the pharmacologic agent AR-18, enhanced tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL) sensitivity in a range of pancreatic and prostate cancer cell lines. [PLoS One] Full Article

Attenuation of Reactive Oxygen Species by Antioxidants Suppresses Hypoxia-Induced Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and Metastasis of Pancreatic Cancer Cells
Scientists investigated the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in hypoxia-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and whether attenuation of ROS by antioxidants suppresses hypoxia-induced EMT and metastasis of human pancreatic cancer cells in a xenograft nude mouse model. [Clin Exp Metastasis] Abstract

Expression of Cancer Stem Cell Markers in Pancreatic Intraepithelial Neoplasias and Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinomas
Investigators examined the correlation between pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasias and cancer stem cell markers including CD24, CD44, CD133, CXCR4, ESA and nestin using immunohistochemical analysis. [Int J Oncol] Abstract

Scientists Create First Ever 3-D “Pancreas in a Dish”
With a $200,000 Innovation Grant from the Canadian Cancer Society, Dr Senthil Muthuswamy will use the 3-D biological model he created to unravel the mystery of how pancreatic cancer begins to develop deep within the organ’s duct system. [Canadian Cancer Society] Press Release

Stem Cell Agency Commits $150 Million to Develop New Therapies
California’s stem cell agency, the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine approved $150 million in new funding to help move promising stem cell-based therapies from the laboratory research phase to clinical trials in people. [California Institute for Regenerative 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 – 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.)

Quality Control Operations Coordinator (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Clinical Coordinator (New York Obesity Nutrition Research Center)

Research Fellow in Diabetes Research (Monash University)

Postdoctoral Research Position (University Lille 2 France)

Postdoctoral Position – Beta-Cell Regeneration in Zebrafish and Mice (Karolinska Institute, Cell and Molecular Biology)

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.