Pancreatic Cell News Volume 4.43 | Nov 5 2013

Nrf2 Protects Pancreatic ß-Cells from Oxidative and Nitrosative Stress in Diabetic Model Mice
Investigators found that NF-E2-related-factor-2 induction suppressed the oxidative DNA-adduct formation in pancreatic islets of iNOS-Tg mice and strongly restored insulin secretion from pancreatic ß-cells under reactive species-damage. [Diabetes] Abstract

Exosomes Released by Islet-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Trigger Autoimmune Responses in NOD Mice
To investigate whether primary islet cells can produce exosomes, scientists isolated cells from the islet of Langerhans of non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice and cultured them in vitro. Interestingly, cultured islets release fibroblast-like, fast-replicating cells that express mesenchymal stem cell markers including CD105 and Sca-1. [Diabetes] Abstract

Melatonin Prevents Pancreatic ß-Cell Loss Due to Glucotoxicity: The Relationship between Oxidative Stress and Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress
Scientists evaluated the differential effect of oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum stress on ß-cell glucotoxicity, by employing melatonin which has free radical-scavenging and antioxidant properties. As expected, in ß-cells exposed to prolonged high glucose levels, cell viability and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion were significantly impaired. [J Pineal Res] Abstract

Effect of Silymarin in Pdx-1 Expression and the Proliferation of Pancreatic ß-Cells in a Pancreatectomy Model
Previously, scientists have demonstrated that Silymarin recovers the normal morphology and endocrine function of damaged pancreatic tissue in alloxan induced diabetic rats. They analyzed the effect of Silymarin in Pdx1 gene expression and its repercussion on insulin gene expression and ß-cell proliferation. [Phytomedicine] Abstract

The Efficacy of SPA0355 in Protecting ß Cells in Isolated Pancreatic Islets and in a Murine Experimental Model of Type 1 Diabetes
The effects of SPA0355 on ß-cell survival were studied in RINm5F cells and primary islets. SPA0355 completely prevented cytokine-induced nitric oxide synthase expression and cytotoxicity in RINm5F cells and isolated islets. [Exp Mol Med] Full Article

Effects of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor-? Activation on Apoptosis in Rats with Acute Pancreatitis
Researchers investigated the effects and mechanisms of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-? activation on the induction of apoptosis in rats with acute pancreatitis. [Dig Dis Sci] Abstract

PANCREATIC CANCER

GLI1 Interferes with the DNA Mismatch Repair System in Pancreatic Cancer through BHLHE41-Mediated Suppression of MLH1
Researchers showed that GLI1 and GLI2 indirectly suppressed the expression of MLH1 in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells. Through GLI1-target gene screening, we found that GLI1 and GLI2 activated the expression of a basic-helix-loop-helix type suppressor BHLHE41 / DEC2 / SHARP1 through a GLI-binding site in the promoter. [ Cancer Res] Abstract

Synergistic Interaction of Novel Lactate Dehydrogenase Inhibitors with Gemcitabine against Pancreatic Cancer Cells in Hypoxia
Scientists investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying the pharmacological interaction of novel lactate dehydrogenase (LDH-A) inhibitors in combination with gemcitabine in pancreatic-ductal-adenocarcinoma cells. Lactate dehydrogenase A was significantly increased under hypoxic conditions, where the novel LDH-A inhibitors proved to be particularly effective. [Brit J Cancer] Abstract

A Novel Regulatory Mechanism of Pim-3 Kinase Stability and Its Involvement in Pancreatic Cancer Progression
Translationally-controlled tumor protein (TCTP) was aberrantly expressed in human pancreatic cancer cells and malignant ductal epithelial cells, but not in normal pancreatic duct epithelial cells adjacent to tumor foci of human pancreatic cancer tissue. Moreover, TCTP co-localized with Pim-3 both in human pancreatic cancer cells and clinical tissues. [Mol Cancer Res] Abstract

Combination Treatment of Human Pancreatic Cancer Xenograft Models with the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Erlotinib and Oncolytic Herpes Simplex Virus HF10
Researchers evaluated the efficacy of HF10, a herpes simplex virus type 1 mutant, in combination with erlotinib, an epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, in human pancreatic cancer xenograft models. [Ann Surg Oncol] Abstract

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JDRF Teams Up with Pfizer’s Centers for Therapeutic Innovation to Support Novel Translational Research in Type 1 Diabetes
JDRF announced a partnership with Pfizer’s Centers for Therapeutic Innovation to support the development and translation of promising diabetes research. [JDRF] Press Release

Kamada Reports New Data from an Extension Study of its Phase I/II Trial with Glassia in Pediatric Patients with Type 1 Diabetes
Kamada Ltd. reported preliminary data from the Company’s ongoing extension study of a Phase I/II clinical trial with its lead product Glassia® to treat pediatric patients with a recently diagnosed type 1 diabetes. [Kamada Ltd.] Press Release

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Postdoctoral Associate Position – Molecular Mechanisms of Insulin Resistance and Beta-Cell Failure in Type 2 Diabetes (Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology)

Research Fellow – Cellular Immunity in Type 1 Diabetes (King’s College London)

Postdoctoral Position – Cell Metabolism, Diabetes and Fatty Liver Disease (Boston University)

Postdoctoral Associate – Human and Mouse Stem Cell Biology, Pancreatic and Liver Specification and In Vitro Disease Modeling (Baylor College of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Progression (University of South Alabama)

Faculty Position – Department of Cellular & Structural Biology (The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio)

Scientist – Particle Chemistry (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

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

Research Associate/Scientist – Antibodies Group (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Associate – Particle Chemistry (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

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