| PUBLICATIONS (Ranked by impact factor of the journal) | DIABETES Oral Delivery of Bioencapsulated Exendin-4 Expressed in Chloroplasts Lowers Blood Glucose Level in Mice and Stimulates Insulin Secretion in Beta-TC6 Cells Researchers expressed exendin-4 (EX4) as a cholera toxin B subunit (CTB)-fusion protein in tobacco chloroplasts to facilitate bioencapsulation within plant cells and transmucosal delivery in the gut via GM1 receptors present in the intestinal epithelium. Chloroplast-derived CTB-EX4 showed increased insulin secretion similar to the commercial EX4 in beta-TC6, a mouse pancreatic cell line. [Plant Biotechnol J] Abstract Role of Calcium-Independent Phospholipase A2 (iPLA2β) in Human Pancreatic Islet β-Cell Apoptosis To examine if islet β-cells are susceptible to ER stress and undergo iPLA2β-mediated apoptosis, scientists assessed the ER stress response in human pancreatic islets. They report that the iPLA2β protein is expressed predominantly in the β-cells of human islets and that thapsigargin-induced ER stress promotes β-cell apoptosis, as reflected by increases in activated caspase-3 in the β-cells. [Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab] Abstract Differential and Day-Time Dependent Expression of Nuclear Receptors RORα, RORβ, RORγ and RXRα in the Rodent Pancreas and Islet The retinoic-acid-related receptor family of orphan receptors (RORs) act as transcriptional activators or repressors. Researchers described differential expression of the orphan receptors RORα, RORβ and RORγ and of the nuclear retinoid receptor RXRα in the pancreas and islet of rats. [Mol Cell Endocrinol] Abstract Sustained Beta-Cell Dysfunction but Normalized Islet Mass in Aged Thrombospondin-1 Deficient Mice The authors previously identified an islets endothelial-specific glycoprotein, thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1), that showed to be of importance for islet angiogenesis and beta-cell function in young mice. Here, they aimed to investigate long-term consequences for islet morphology and beta-cell function of TSP-1 deficiency. [PLoS One] Full Article PANCREATIC CANCER The NAD+-Dependent Histone Deacetylase SIRT6 Promotes Cytokine Production and Migration in Pancreatic Cancer Cells by Regulating Ca2+ Responses Scientists determined whether SIRT6 is involved in conferring an inflammatory phenotype to cancer cells and to define the mechanisms linking SIRT6 to inflammation. They showed that SIRT6 enhances the expression of pro-inflammatory cyto/chemokines and promotes cell migration in pancreatic cancer cells by enhancing Ca2+ responses. [J Biol Chem] Abstract | Full Article EGFR and HER2 Inhibition in Pancreatic Cancer Researchers investigated the effect of lapatinib, a selective inhibitor of EGFR/HER2 tyrosine kinases, on pancreatic cancer cell lines both alone and in combination with chemotherapy. [Invest New Drugs] Abstract Tissue Tolerable Plasma (TTP) Induces Apoptosis in Pancreatic Cancer Cells In Vitro and In Vivo The authors investigated the effects of TTPs on the human pancreatic cancer cell line Colo-357 and PaTu8988T and the murine cell line 6606PDA in vitro as well as in the in vivo tumor chorio-allantoic membrane assay using Colo-357. [BMC Cancer] Abstract | Full Article BML-275, an AMPK Inhibitor, Induces DNA Damage, G2/M Arrest and Apoptosis in Human Pancreatic Cancer Cells Adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a principal intracellular energy sensor which regulates energy producing pathways and energy requiring pathways when the cellular AMP/ATP ratio is altered. BML-275, a well-known inhibitor of AMPK, has been found to induce apoptosis in myeloma, glioma and prostate cancer cells. Here scientists investigated BML-275 for its antitumor effect(s) in human pancreatic cancer cell lines. [Int J Oncol] Abstract |
| REVIEWS | Insulin Gene Therapy from Design to Beta Cell Generation Despite the fact that insulin injection can protect diabetic patients from developing diabetes-related complications, recent meta-analyses indicate that rapid and long-acting insulin analogues only provide a limited benefit compared with conventional insulin regarding glycemic control. As insulin deficiency is the main sequel of type-1 diabetes (T1D), transfer of the insulin gene-by-gene therapy is becoming an attractive treatment modality even though T1D is not caused by a single genetic defect. [Expert Rev Mol Med] Abstract Insulin and Type 1 Diabetes: Immune Connections The authors summarize current knowledge concerning insulin, its role in beta-cell autoimmunity as initial target antigen, its recognition by autoantibodies and autoreactive T cells and the detection of these immune responses to provide biomarkers for clinical trials employing insulin as an immune modulatory agent. [Eur J Endocrinol] Abstract | Full Article |
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