Pancreatic Cell News Volume 4.04 | Feb 5 2013

DIABETES

Argonaute2 Regulates the Pancreatic β-Cell Secretome
Argonaute2 (Ago2) is an established component of the microRNA(miR)-induced silencing complex. Similar to miR-375 loss-of-function studies, inhibition of Ago2 in the pancreatic β-cell resulted in enhanced insulin release underlining the relationship between these two genes. [Mol Cell Proteomics] Abstract

Cardiotrophin 1 Protects Beta Cells from Apoptosis and Prevents Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetes in a Mouse Model
Scientists investigated whether cardiotrophin 1 (CT-1) can confer protection against pro-apoptotic stimuli in pancreatic beta cells, and its role in insulin secretion and diabetes development. The effects of CT-1 on apoptosis and function were studied using MIN6B1 cells and freshly isolated murine pancreatic islets. [Diabetologia] Abstract

Derivation of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells from Patients with Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young
Researchers report the derivation of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) from patients with five types of maturity onset diabetes of the young (MODY) with a polycistronic lentiviral vector expressing a Cre-excisable human stem cell cassette containing the four reprogramming factors OCT4, KLF4, SOX2 and CMYC. MODY-hiPSCs serve as an invaluable tool to dissect the role of MODY genes in the development of pancreas and islet cells, and to evaluate their significance in regulating beta cell function. [J Biol Chem] Abstract | Full Article | Press Release

Cocaine- and Amphetamine-Regulated Transcript (CART) Protects Beta Cells against Glucotoxicity and Increases Cell Proliferation
Investigators examined the effect of exogenous CART 55-102 on beta cell viability and dissected its signaling mechanisms. Evaluation of DNA fragmentation and chromatin condensation revealed that CART 55-102 reduced glucotoxicity-induced apoptosis in both INS-1 cells and isolated rat islets. [J Biol Chem] Abstract

Direct Differentiation of Hepatic Stem-Like WB Cells into Insulin-Producing Cells Using Small Molecules
This study indicates an efficient chemical protocol for differentiating WB-F344 cells (WB) cells into functional insulin-producing cells using small molecules, and represents a promising hepatocyte-based treatment for diabetes mellitus. [Sci Rep] Full Article

PANCREATIC CANCER

Sirtuin-1 Regulates Acinar to Ductal Metaplasia and Supports Cancer Cell Viability in Pancreatic Cancer
The authors examined the expression and the role of Sirtuin-1 (Sirt1) in different stages of pancreatic carcinogenesis, i.e. acinar to ductal metaplasia models and established pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. In addition, they analyzed the expression of KIAA1967, a key mediator of Sirt1 function, along with other potential Sirt1 downstream targets. Sirt1 was coexpressed with KIAA1967 in the nuclei of normal pancreatic acinar cells. [Cancer Res] Abstract | Press Release

The HSP70 and Autophagy Inhibitor Pifithrin-μ Enhances the Antitumor Effects of TRAIL on Human Pancreatic Cancer
Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) and agonistic death receptor-specific antibodies can induce apoptosis in cancer cells with little cytotoxicity to normal cells. To improve TRAIL-induced antitumor effects, scientists tested its effectiveness in combination with pifithrin-μ, which has the potential to inhibit HSP70 function and autophagy, both of which participate in TRAIL resistance in cancer cells. [Mol Cancer Ther] Abstract

Treatment with a Combination of the ErbB (HER) Family Blocker Afatinib and the IGF-IR Inhibitor, NVP-AEW541 Induces Synergistic Growth Inhibition of Human Pancreatic Cancer Cells
Researchers investigated the effect of simultaneous targeting of IGF-IR and Erb8 family, with NVP-AEW541 and afatinib, on proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells. [BMC Cancer] Abstract | Full Article

Excess Glucose Induces Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1α in Pancreatic Cancer Cells and Stimulates Glucose Metabolism and Cell Migration
Scientists investigated whether excess glucose induces hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and stimulates glucose metabolism and cell migration in pancreatic cancer cells. They studied wild-type MiaPaCa2 pancreatic cancer cells and a MiaPaCa2 subline that had HIF-1α-specific small interfering RNA. [Cancer Biol Ther] Full Article

The Lustgarten Foundation Awards $25 Million to Accelerate the Rate of Pancreatic Cancer Research
The Lustgarten Foundation announced that it has awarded $25 million in new multi-year research grants. The research initiatives and clinical trials are focused primarily on developing early detection methods and better therapeutic options, and testing them with patients. [The Lustgarten Foundation] Press Release

Aduro Announces Acquisition of GVAX Assets from BioSante
Aduro BioTech, Inc. announced the acquisition of all GVAX assets from BioSante Pharmaceuticals, Inc., including intellectual property and cell lines. Aduro previously licensed two GVAX vaccines, GVAX Pancreas and GVAX Prostate, for use in combination with its Listeria-based vaccines. This new acquisition covers all uses and includes additional vaccines for multiple myeloma and breast and colon cancer and assumes rights to the existing license agreement for GVAX Melanoma. [Business Wire] 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)

NEW Diabetes Summit 2013
April 29-30, 2013
Boston, United States

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

Postdoctoral Position – Diabetes and Beta-Cell Regeneration in Mice (Karolinska Institute)

Postdoctoral Researcher (The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio)

Postdoctoral Position – Diabetes Research (Lund University)

Postdoctoral Position – Pancreatic Beta-Cell Dysfunction (Weill Cornell Medical College)

Postdoctoral Position – Diabetes Research (Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH)

Postdoctoral Position – Pancreas Development (INSERM)

Postdoc Position – Beta Cell Signaling (The University of Southern Denmark)

Postdoctoral Position (Skirball Institute / NYU Medical Center)

PhD Studentship – Developmental Genes in Adult Pancreas Homeostasis & Energy Metabolism (Helmholtz Zentrum München)

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