Pancreatic Cell News Volume 4.31 | Aug 13 2013

Efficient ß-Cell Regeneration by a Combination of Neogenesis and Replication Following ß-Cell Ablation and Reversal of Pancreatic Duct Ligation
Investigators studied the effect of surgical reversal of the duct ligation, and found that that there was a wave of ß-cell replication following reversal. [Stem Cells] Abstract

Induction of ß-Cell Replication by a Synthetic HNF4a Antagonist
Scientists tested the hypothesis that a potent HNF4a antagonist might stimulate ß-cell replication. A bioavailable HNF4a antagonist was injected into normal mice and rabbits and ß-cell ablated mice and the effect on ß-cell replication was measured. [Stem Cells] Abstract

Autoimmunity against INS-IGF2 Expressed in Human Pancreatic Islets
Investigators determined expression of INS-IGF2 in human pancreatic islets and autoantibodies in newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes children and controls. [J Biol Chem] Abstract | Full Article

Cerulein-Induced Acute Pancreatitis Is Associated with c-Jun NH(2)-Terminal Kinase 1-Dependent Ferritin Degradation and Iron-Dependent Free Radicals Formation
Pancreatic acinar AR42J cells stimulated by cerulein showed increased labile iron pool that was accompanied by a decrease in the cellular ferritin-L level and an increase in the reactive oxygen species formation. [Pancreas] Abstract

PANCREATIC CANCER

Integration of Metabolomics and Transcriptomics Revealed a Fatty Acid Network Exerting Growth Inhibitory Effects in Human Pancreatic Cancer
Scientists demonstrated that two saturated free fatty acids, palmitate and stearate significantly induced TRAIL expression, triggered apoptosis, and inhibited proliferation in pancreatic cancer cells. [Clin Cancer Res] Abstract

Subtype Specific MEK – PI3 Kinase Feedback as a Therapeutic Target in Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma
The authors investigated the consequences of MEK inhibition in a large pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell line panel. Inhibition of MEK activated PI3 kinase in an EGFR-dependent fashion and combinations of MEK and EGFR inhibitors synergistically induced apoptosis. [Mol Cancer Ther] Abstract

Guggulsterone Decreases Proliferation and Metastatic Behavior of Pancreatic Cancer Cells by Modulating JAK/STAT and Src/FAK Signaling
Investigators studied the effect of guggulsterone on pancreatic cancer cell growth, motility and invasion and elucidated the molecular mechanisms associated with its anti-tumor effects. [Cancer Lett] Abstract

Generation of CTL Responses against Pancreatic Cancer In Vitro Using Dendritic Cells Co-Transfected with MUC4 and Survivin RNA
Dendritic cells (DCs) co-transfected with two tumor associated-antigens mRNAs were found to induce stronger cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses against pancreatic cancer target cells in vitro, compared with the DCs transfected with a single mRNA. [Vaccine] Abstract

Proteinase-Activated Receptors Differentially Modulate In Vitro Invasion of Human Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma PANC-1 Cells in Correlation with Changes in the Expression of CDC42 Protein
Scientists examined the role of proteinase-activated receptor-1 (PAR)s in a human pancreatic adenocarcinoma PANC-1 cell line phenotype in vitro. PAR-1 and PAR-2 knockdowns (KDs) were markedly less, whereas PAR-3 KDs were robustly more migratory and invasive than the controls. [Pancreas] Abstract

Making ß Cells from Adult Cells within the Pancreas
The authors discuss recent developments in ß-cell replication and ß-cell transdifferentiation of adult epithelial pancreatic cells, with an emphasis on techniques with a potential for clinical translation. [Curr Diab Rep] Abstract

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Sanford-Burnham Collaborates with Pfizer to Identify Targets for Insulin Resistance and Diabetes
Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute announced that it has entered into a collaboration with Pfizer Inc. to identify new therapeutic targets for preventing and treating complications of obesity and diabetes. [EurekAlert!] Press Release

Avanir Pharmaceuticals Announces Diabetes Co-Promotion Agreement with Merck
Avanir Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that it has entered into an exclusive, multi-year agreement with Merck to co-promote Merck’s type 2 diabetes therapies JANUVIA® and the sitagliptin family of products in the long-term care institutional setting in the United States. [Avanir Pharmaceuticals, Inc.] Press Release

Dance Biopharm Announces Encouraging Clinical Data for Adagio™ – Inhalable Insulin Product Candidate for Diabetes
Dance Biopharm Inc. recently completed a key clinical study for Adagio, an investigational drug-device combination under development for the treatment of diabetes with the intent to eliminate the need for injections for mealtime insulin. [PR Newswire Association LLC] Press Release

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NEW Research Technologist – Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Products (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Molecular Mechanisms of Pancreatic Beta Cell Dysfunction (Université Libre de Bruxelles)

Research Associate – Pancreatic Cancer (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

Senior Scientist – Pancreas Development (AstraZeneca)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Diabetes Research (Sanford Health)

Postdoctoral Position – Pluripotent Stem Cells to Islets (INSERM)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Platelet Biology and Diabetes (Thomas Jefferson University, Cardeza Foundation for Hematologic Research)

Director of Cell Processing Facility (S L Collins Associates, Inc.)

PhD Positions – Molecular Mechanisms Controlling Acinar Cell Proliferation (University Hospital Zuerich)

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

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