Pancreatic Cell News Volume 3.36 | Sep 11 2012

Bcl-2 and Bcl-x_L Suppress Glucose Signaling in Pancreatic ß-Cells
Investigators demonstrated that chemical and genetic loss-of-function of antiapoptotic B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) and Bcl-x_L significantly augments glucose-dependent metabolic and Ca²⁺ signals in primary pancreatic ß-cells. [Diabetes] Abstract

DIABETES

Human ß-Cell Killing by Autoreactive Preproinsulin-Specific CD8 T Cells Is Predominantly Granule-Mediated with the Potency Dependent Upon T-Cell Receptor Avidity
Using type 1 diabetes patient-derived preproinsulin-specific CD8 T-cell clones recognizing either an HLA-A2 or HLA-A24 -restricted epitope, researchers assessed the use of conventional mediators of cytotoxicity in the destruction of human ß-cells in vitro compared with virus-specific cytotoxic CD8 T-cell clones. [Diabetes] Abstract

TCF7L2 Promotes Beta Cell Regeneration in Human and Mouse Pancreas
To analyze a direct effect of T cell factor 7-like 2 (TCF7L2) on duct cell to beta cell conversion, researchers overexpressed TCF7L2 in isolated exocrine cells. [Diabetologia] Abstract

Anti-DLL4 Has Broad Spectrum Activity in Pancreatic Cancer Dependent on Targeting DLL4-Notch Signaling in Both Tumor and Vasculature Cells
Patient-derived pancreatic xenograft tumor models were used to evaluate the antitumor effect of anti-delta-like ligand 4 (DLL4). Scientists compared the activity of targeting DLL4 in tumor cells with an anti-human DLL4 antibody and in the host stroma/vasculature with an anti-mouse DLL4 antibody. [Clin Cancer Res] Abstract | Press Release

Autophagy Plays a Protective Role in Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-Mediated Pancreatic β Cell Death
Investigators discovered that insulin secretion-deficient β cells derived from fetal mice presented an increased accumulation of polyubiquitinated protein aggregates and LC3B-positive puncta, when compared with insulinoma-derived β cell lines. [Autophagy] Abstract

Vildagliptin Preserves the Mass and Function of Pancreatic β Cells via the Developmental Regulation and Suppression of Oxidative and Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in a Mouse Model of Diabetes
Researchers investigated the molecular mechanisms by which vildagliptin preserved pancreatic β cell mass and function. [Diabetes Obes Metab] Abstract

PANCREATIC CANCER

EGF Receptor Is Required for KRAS-Induced Pancreatic Tumorigenesis
Scientists showed that oncogenic KRAS upregulates endogenous EGFR expression and activation, the latter being dependent on the EGFR ligand sheddase, ADAM17. Genetic ablation or pharmacological inhibition of EGFR or ADAM17 effectively eliminates KRAS-driven tumorigenesis in vivo. [Cancer Cell] Abstract | Press Release

Adrenomedullin is Upregulated in Patients with Pancreatic Cancer and Causes Insulin Resistance in β Cells and Mice
Investigators studied the effects of adrenomedullin on insulin secretion by β-cell lines and whole islets from mice, and on glucose tolerance in pancreatic xenografts in mice. [Gastroenterology] Abstract

AGR2 Is a SMAD4-Suppressible Gene that Modulates Mucin 1 Levels and Promotes the Initiation and Progression of Pancreatic Intraepithelial Neoplasia
Researchers showed that anterior gradient 2 (AGR2) is a transforming growth factor-β-responsive gene in human pancreatic cancer cells, whose downregulation is SMAD4 dependent. [Oncogene] Abstract

Targeting a Novel Onco-Glycoprotein Antigen at Tumoral Pancreatic Cell Surface by mAb16D10 Induces Cell Death
Scientists report that mAb16D10 inhibited the proliferation of only human pancreatic tumor cells expressing 16D10 plasma membrane Ag. [J Immunol] Abstract

Pristimerin Causes G1 Arrest, Induces Apoptosis, and Enhances the Chemosensitivity to Gemcitabine in Pancreatic Cancer Cells
Scientists investigated the effect of pristimerin on inhibition of cell proliferation and induction of apoptosis in three pancreatic cancer cells in both monotherapy and in combination with gemcitabine. [PLoS One]
Full Article

REVIEWS

Involvement of Inflammatory Factors in Pancreatic Carcinogenesis and Preventive Effects of Anti-Inflammatory Agents
This review discusses how modulation of inflammatory factors by anti-inflammatory agents can provide useful data for prevention of pancreatic cancer. [Semin Immunopathol] Abstract

2013 Research Grants
The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is pleased to announce its 2013 research grants program. A record high of over $4 million will be distributed this year to scientists throughout the country. [Pancreatic Cancer Action Network] Press Release

Islet Sciences Announces Exclusive License Agreement with Winthrop University Hospital to Commercialize a Beta Cell Loss Measurement Technology in Diabetes
Islet Sciences, Inc. announced that it has exclusively licensed technology from Winthrop University Hospital. This technology is complimentary to the early Beta cell destruction diagnostic that Islet Sciences licensed previously. [PR Newswire Association LLC] Press Release

Boehringer Ingelheim and the ETH Zurich Announce Diabetes and Obesity Research Collaboration
Boehringer Ingelheim, and the Institute of Molecular Health Science and the Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health of the ETH Zurich will collaborate to achieve new insights into the development of diabetes and obesity. The joint effort will focus on investigating three cell types that may contribute to the onset of diseases such as obesity and diabetes because of their dominant role in metabolic homoeostasis. [Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH] Press Release

Obama and Romney Tackle 14 Top Science Questions
Scientific American partnered with grassroots organization ScienceDebate.org to encourage the two main presidential candidates – Barack Obama and Mitt Romney – to answer 14 questions on some of the biggest scientific and technological challenges facing the nation. [Presidential Candidates, United States]
Press Release

U.K. Devotes £10 Million to Open Access Shift
Following up on recommendations to make more research freely available to scientists and the public, the U.K. government pledged £10 million toward making scientific papers open access. [U.K. Government, United Kingdom] Press Release

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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)

NEW 2012 International Forum on Stem Cells
Tianjin, China
November 1-3, 2012

Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the pancreatic cell community.

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 Position – Type 2 Diabetic Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Modeling (University of Lille Nord de 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)

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