Pancreatic Cell News Volume 3.31 | Aug 7 2012

DIABETES

Constitutive and Inflammatory Immunopeptidome of Pancreatic β-Cells
Recognition of major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-bound peptides is critical for both the initiation and progression of type 1 diabetes. In this study, MHC peptide complexes were purified from NIT-1 β-cells, interferon-γ-treated NIT-1 cells, splenic and thymic tissue of 12-week-old NOD mice, and peptides identified by mass spectrometry. [Diabetes] Abstract

Beta Cell Nuclear Musculoaponeurotic Fibrosarcoma Oncogene Family A (MafA) Is Deficient in Type 2 Diabetes
Loss of nuclear MafA has been implicated in beta cell dysfunction in animal models of type 2 diabetes. Researchers sought to establish if nuclear MafA is less abundant in beta cell nuclei in humans with type 2 diabetes. [Diabetologia] Abstract

Raf-1 Kinase Inhibitory Protein (RKIP)-Mediates Ethanol-Induced Sensitization of Secretagogue Signaling in Pancreatic Acinar Cells
Researchers identified RKIP as an essential mediator of EtOH-induced sensitization of cholecystokinin- and carbachol-regulated Ca²⁺ signaling in pancreatic acinar cells. [J Biol Chem] Abstract | Full Article

The Novel GLP-1-Gastrin Dual Agonist, ZP3022, Increases β-Cell Mass and Prevents Diabetes in db/db Mice
Scientists investigated whether a novel glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) gastrin dual agonist, ZP3022, improves glycemic control via improvement of β-cell status in db/db mice. [Diabetes Obes Metab] Abstract

Overexpression of ZAC Impairs Glucose Stimulated Insulin Translation and Secretion in Clonal Pancreatic Beta-Cells
The authors examined the role of ZAC (Zinc finger protein that regulates Apoptosis and Cell-cycle arrest) in beta-cell function in vitro, independently of the confounder of a reduced beta-cell mass at birth. [Diabetes Metab Res Rev] Abstract

Analysis of Foxo1-Regulated Genes Using Foxo1-Deficient Pancreatic β Cells
Investigators found that Foxo1 ablation enhanced glucose-stimulated insulin secretion at high glucose concentrations and enhanced β-cell proliferation. [Genes Cells] Abstract

PANCREATIC CANCER

Lymphotoxin β Receptor Signaling Promotes Development of Autoimmune Pancreatitis
Researchers found that overexpression of lymphotoxin (LT) α β specifically in acinar cells of mice causes features of autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP). Reagents that neutralize LT β R ligands might be used to treat patients with AIP. [Gastroenterology] Abstract

Inhibition of the Hedgehog Pathway Targets the Tumor-Associated Stroma in Pancreatic Cancer
Investigators aimed to determine the role of pancreatic cancer-associated fibroblasts (human pancreatic stellate cells) in Hedgehog signaling. [Mol Cancer Res] Abstract

Sensitization of Human Pancreatic Cancer Cells Harboring Mutated K-ras to Apoptosis
Data suggested that PKC is a crucial factor that copes with aberrant K-ras to maintain the homeostasis of the pancreatic cancer cells harboring mutated K-ras. [PLoS One] Full Article

Involvement of Host Stroma Cells and Tissue Fibrosis in Pancreatic Tumor Development in Transgenic Mice
Scientists evaluated the importance of the pancreatic stroma for tumor development. Pancreatic tumor cells were implanted subcutaneously into green fluorescent protein transgenic mice, and stroma cells invading the tumors were identified through immunohistochemistry. [PLoS One] Full Article

Investigators Awarded $48.2 Million in Latest Round of CPRIT Grants
The Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) has awarded $48.2 million in new grants to investigators at UT Southwestern Medical Center to support cancer-related projects and to recruit pre-eminent cancer researchers. [The University of Texas (UT) Southwestern Medical Center] Press Release

Novartis and University of Pennsylvania Form Broad-Based R&D Alliance to Advance Novel T-Cell Immunotherapies to Treat Cancer
Novartis and the University of Pennsylvania (Penn) announced an exclusive global collaboration to research, develop and commercialize targeted chimeric antigen receptor immunotherapies for the treatment of cancers. In addition, the parties will jointly establish a new research and development facility on the Penn campus, called the Center for Advanced Cellular Therapies. [Novartis AG] 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 – Mesenchymal Cell Research (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.)

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

Postdoctoral Research Position (University Lille 2 France)

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

Postdoctoral Position – Epigenetics and Diabetes (Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar)

Postdoctoral Fellow (University of South Alabama Mitchell Cancer Institute)

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