Pancreatic Cell News Volume 3.33 | Aug 21 2012

Rottlerin Induces Autophagy which Leads to Apoptotic Cell Death through Inhibition of PI3K/Akt/mTOR Pathway in Human Pancreatic Cancer Stem Cells
Investigators found that rottlerin induced autophagy followed by induction of apoptosis via inhibition of PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway and activation of caspase cascade in human pancreatic cancer stem cells. [Biochem Pharmacol] Abstract

DIABETES

Degradation of Islet Amyloid Polypeptide by Neprilysin
Researchers examined the ability of the peptidase neprilysin to cleave islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) and prevent human IAPP-induced pancreatic beta cell toxicity. [Diabetologia] Abstract

Tc17 CD8⁺ T Cells Potentiate Th1-Mediated Autoimmune Diabetes in a Mouse Model
To study the pathogenic potential of β cell-specific IL-17-producing CD8⁺ T (Tc17) cells, scientists used an experimental model of type 1 diabetes based on the expression of the neo-self Ag hemagglutinin in the β cells of the pancreas. [J Immunol] Abstract

Three-Dimensional Scaffolds Reduce Islet Amyloid Formation and Enhance Survival and Function of Cultured Human Islets
Investigators tested the effects of two types of three-dimensional scaffolds, collagen matrix and fibroblast-populated collagen matrix, on amyloid formation, viability, and function of isolated islets. [Am J Pathol] Abstract

Mitochondrial Ca2+ Uptake 1 (MICU1) and Mitochondrial Ca2+ Uniporter (MCU) Contribute to Metabolism-Secretion Coupling in Clonal Pancreatic β-Cells
Researchers evaluated the individual contribution of four proteins described to be engaged in mitochondrial Ca2+ influx to mitochondrial Ca2+ sequestration in clonal INS-1 832/13 pancreatic β-cells: the mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake 1, mitochondrial Ca2+ uniporter, uncoupling protein 2 and leucine zipper EF hand-containing transmembrane protein 1. [J Biol Chem] Abstract

PANCREATIC CANCER

Apricoxib, a Novel Inhibitor of COX-2, Markedly Improves Standard Therapy Response in Molecularly Defined Models of Pancreatic Cancer
Scientists reported that apricoxib significantly enhances the efficacy of gemcitabine/erlotinib in preclinical models of pancreatic cancer. [Clin Cancer Res] Abstract

Grape Seed Proanthocyanidins Inhibit Migration Potential of Pancreatic Cancer Cells by Promoting Mesenchymal-to-Epithelial Transition and Targeting NF-κB
Researchers explored the effect of grape seed proanthocyanidins (GSPs) on pancreatic cancer cell migration and the molecular mechanisms underlying these effects. Treatment of human pancreatic cancer cell lines with GSPs resulted in inhibition of cell migration, which was associated with decreased phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and inactivation of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB). [Cancer Lett] Abstract

PDX-1 Is a Therapeutic Target for Pancreatic Cancer, Insulinoma and Islet Neoplasia Using a Novel RNA Interference Platform
Researchers demonstrated that pancreatic and duodenal homeobox-1 (PDX-1) is a therapeutic target for both hormonal symptoms and tumor volume in mouse models of pancreatic cancer, insulinoma and islet neoplasia. [PLoS One] Full Article

EPA, an Omega-3 Fatty Acid, Induces Apoptosis in Human Pancreatic Cancer Cells: Role of ROS Accumulation, Caspase-8 Activation, and Autophagy Induction
Researchers investigated the anticancer actions of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and its analog docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in human pancreatic cancer cells using both in vitro and in vivo models. EPA and DHA were found to induce ROS accumulation and caspase-8-dependent cell death in human pancreatic cancer cells in vitro. [J Cell Biochem] Abstract

GPR119 Expression in Normal Human Tissues and Islet Cell Tumors: Evidence for Its Islet-Gastrointestinal Distribution, Expression in Pancreatic Beta and Alpha Cells, and Involvement in Islet Function
Expression of glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor (GPR119) mRNA in fresh samples of normal human pancreas and pancreatic islets and in insulinomas and glucagonomas all collected at surgery, were compared with the mRNA expression of various receptors highly expressed and operative in human pancreatic islets. [Metabolism] Abstract

NEW! REVIEWS
Based on your feedback, we’ve added a Reviews section to Pancreatic Cell News

Interplay between Smoking-Induced Genotoxicity and Altered Signaling in Pancreatic Carcinogenesis
Scientists discussed various interconnected signal transduction cascades, the smoking-mediated genotoxicity, and genetic polymorphisms influencing the susceptibility for smoking-mediated pancreatic cancer development by modulating pivotal biological aspects such as cell defense/tumor suppression, inflammation, DNA repair, as well as tobacco-carcinogen metabolization. [Carcinogenesis] Abstract

Interleukin-1 (IL-1) Family of Cytokines: Role in Type 2 Diabetes
Researchers provided an insight into the different types of cytokines belonging to IL-1 family, their modes of action and association with type 2 diabetes. [Clin Chim Acta] Abstract

New Pancreatic Cancer Clinical Trial Applies Revolutionary Immunotherapy Approach that Genetically Modifies T Cells
The Lustgarten Foundation and the Cancer Research Institute are co-sponsoring a new approach to the treatment of pancreatic cancer. A new clinical trial led by Dr. Carl June and Dr. Gregory Beatty will focus on altering and training a patient’s immune system to target and eliminate cancer cells. [Cancer Research Institute] Press Release

CRI Awards $10 Million to Advance Immune-Based Cancer Treatments
Cancer Research Institute, Inc. (CRI) announced that it has committed more than $10 million in new funds to accelerate cancer immunology research and cancer immunotherapy clinical development at research centers worldwide. [Cancer Research Institute]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.)

Clinical Investigator – Biomedical Research Program (Weill Cornell Medical College)

Postdoctoral Research Position (University Lille 2 France)

Postdoctoral Position – Cancer Therapeutics (Massachusetts General Hospital)

Postdoctoral Position – Dysfunction in Diabetes (University of Oxford)

Postdoctoral Position – Beta Cell Biology and Translational Research (University of California, Los Angeles)

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

Postdoctoral Fellow (University of South Alabama Mitchell Cancer Institute)

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