Pancreatic Cell News Volume 4.49 | Dec 17 2013

Elevated Levels of Extracellular Heat Shock Protein 72 Are Positively Correlated with Insulin Resistance In Vivo and Cause Pancreatic β-Cell Dysfunction and Death In Vitro
Since aging is associated with a low-grade inflammation and insulin resistance the authors aimed to: i) analyse the concentration of extracellular heat shock protein 72 (eHSP72) in elderly people and determine correlation with insulin resistance and ii) determine the effects of eHSP72 on β-cell function and viability in human and rodent pancreatic β-cells. [Clin Sci (Lond)] Abstract

Autocrine/Paracrine Function of Nicotinic Acid Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate (NAADP) for Glucose Homeostasis in Pancreatic β-Cells and Adipocytes
Researchers showed that NAADP is effectively transported into selected cell types involved in glucose homeostasis, such as adipocytes and pancreatic β-cells, but not the acinar cells, in a high glucose-dependent manner. [J Biol Chem] Abstract

Elevated Levels of Branched Chain Amino Acids Have Little Effect on Pancreatic Islet Cells but L-Arginine Impairs Function through Activation of the Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Response
Researchers investigated the effect of chronic exposure to various amino acids on islet cell function in vitro. Isolated rat islets were incubated over periods of 48 hours with increasing concentrations of individual amino acids (0.1μM-10mM). After 48 hours, islets were assessed for glucose dependent insulin secretion capacity, proliferation or islet cell apoptosis. [Exp Physiol] Abstract

Novel Therapy for Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus: Infusion of In Vitro-Generated Insulin-Secreting Cells
Insulin-secreting cells were differentiated from autologous adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells and were infused with bone marrow-derived hematopoietic stem cells in portal, thymic circulation by mini-laparotomy and in subcutaneous circulation. Patients were monitored for blood sugar levels, serum C-peptide levels, glycosylated hemoglobin and glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies. [Clin Exp Med] Abstract

Modulatory Effects of Morin on Hyperglycemia by Attenuating the Hepatic Key Enzymes of Carbohydrate Metabolism and β-Cell Function in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats
Researchers evaluated the effect of morin on blood glucose, insulin level, hepatic glucose regulating enzyme activities and glycogen level in experimental diabetes. [Environ Toxicol Pharmacol]
Abstract | Graphical Abstract

PANCREATIC CANCER

Enhanced FGFR Signalling Predisposes Pancreatic Cancer to the Effect of a Potent FGFR Inhibitor in Preclinical Models
The authors investigated the effect of fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) inhibition in pancreatic cancer in complementary cancer models derived from cell lines and patient-derived primary tumor explants. [Br J Cancer] Full Article | Press Release

Protein Kinase D2 Induces Invasion of Pancreatic Cancer Cells by Regulating Matrix Metallo-Proteinases
Protein Kinase D (PKD) isoforms are involved in controlling tumor cell motility, angiogenesis and metastasis. In particular PKD2 expression is up-regulated in pancreatic cancer, whereas PKD1 expression is lower. The authors report that both kinases control pancreatic cancer cell invasive properties in an isoform-specific manner. [Mol Biol Cell] Abstract

Retinoic Acid Inhibits Pancreatic Cancer Cell Migration and EMT through the Downregulation of IL-6 in Cancer Associated Fibroblast Cells
Cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are activated fibroblast cells in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma tumor microenvironment. Investigators treated CAFs with retinoic acid and found that these cells became static due to the low expression of α-SMA, FAP, and interleukin 6 (IL-6) and decreased production of extracellular matrix. [Cancer Lett] Abstract

LRH1 as a Driving Factor in Pancreatic Cancer Growth
Researchers demonstrated that liver receptor homolog 1 (LRH1) promotes pancreatic cancer growth and angiogenesis, suggesting that LRH1 is a driving factor in tumorigenesis and may serve as a potential therapeutic target. [Cancer Lett] Abstract

Gallic Acid Is an Active Component for the Anticarcinogenic Action of Grape Seed Procyanidins in Pancreatic Cancer Cells
Researchers evaluated the effects of a grape seed procyanidin extract on proliferation and apoptosis in the pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell line MIA PaCa-2 and identified the components of the extract with higher activity. [Nutr Cancer] Abstract

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OncoMed Pharmaceuticals Initiates Third Phase Ib Clinical Trial of First-in-Class WNT-Pathway-Targeting Antibody Vantictumab with Nab-Paclitaxel (Abraxane®) and Gemcitabine in Stage IV Pancreatic Cancer
The multi-center phase Ib clinical trial is a dose escalation study that will evaluate safety of vantictumab in combination with Abraxane® and gemcitabine and determine a recommended Phase II dose for this combination regimen. [OncoMed Pharmaceuticals] Press Release

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NEW Research Assistant/Associate Professor Position – Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism (Vanderbilt Medical Center)

Postdoctoral Research Associate – Tumor Microenvironment in Pancreatic Cancer Progression (University of Liverpool)

Clinical MD – Clinical Development Program for Oncology and Autoimmune Diseases (Immunomedics, Inc.)

Chief Medical Officer – Novel Therapeutics in Oncology and Autoimmune Disease (Immunomedics, Inc.)

Physician – Diabetes Clinical Research (Eli Lilly)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Novel Beta Cell Biomarkers (Université Libre de Bruxelles)

Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute PhD Studentships (University of Cambridge)

Faculty Fellowship – Diabetes Research (Joslin Diabetes Center)

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.)

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