Pancreatic Cell News Volume 5.00 | Jan 7 2014

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    Pancreatic Cell News 5.00 January 7, 2014

    Pancreatic Cell News

         In this issue: Publications | Reviews | Industry News | Policy News | Events | Jobs
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    TOP STORY
    Epigenetic Regulation of the DLK1-MEG3 MicroRNA Cluster in Human Type 2 Diabetic Islets
    Using HITS-CLIP for the essential RISC-component Argonaute, researchers identified disease-relevant targets of the chromosome 14q32 microRNAs, such as IAPP and TP53INP1, that cause increased ß cell apoptosis upon overexpression in human islets. [Cell Metab] Abstract
    Take the "if" out of "diff": Reduce variability when differentiating to endothelial cells

     
    PUBLICATIONS (Ranked by impact factor of the journal)
    DIABETES & PANCREATITIS

    p85a Deficiency Protects ß-Cells from Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-Induced Apoptosis
    Researchers demonstrated that reducing p85a expression in ß-cells can markedly delay the onset and severity of the diabetic phenotype observed in Akita+/- mice, which express a mutant insulin molecule. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

    Lysine Deacetylase Inhibition Prevents Diabetes by Chromatin-Independent Immunoregulation and ß-Cell Protection
    Scientists demonstrated that the clinically well-tolerated KDACi vorinostat and givinostat revert diabetes in the nonobese diabetic mouse model of type 1 diabetes and counteract inflammatory target cell damage by a mechanism of action consistent with transcription factor-rather than global chromatin-hyperacetylation. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

    Deoxysphingolipids, A Novel Biomarker for Type 2 Diabetes, Are Cytotoxic for Insulin-Producing Cells
    Researchers analyzed whether deoxysphingolipids directly compromise the functionality of insulin-producing Ins-1 cells and primary islets. Treatment with 1-deoxysphinganine induced dose-dependent cytotoxicity with senescent, necrotic and apoptotic characteristics and compromised glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. [Diabetes] Abstract

    IG20/MADD Plays a Critical Role in Glucose-Induced Insulin Secretion
    To investigate the role of IG20/MADD in ß-cell function researchers generated conditional knockout (KMA1ko) mice. KMA1ko ß-cells were able to process insulin normally, but had increased insulin accumulation and showed a severe defect in glucose-induced insulin release. [Diabetes] Abstract | Press Release

    PANCREATIC CANCER

    Loss of Canonical Smad4 Signaling Promotes KRAS Driven Malignant Transformation of Human Pancreatic Duct Epithelial Cells and Metastasis
    Investigators report that Smad4 represents a barrier in KRAS-mediated malignant transformation of the near normal immortalized human pancreatic duct epithelial cell line model. [PLoS One] Full Article

    The MEK/ERK Pathway Promotes NOTCH Signaling in Pancreatic Cancer Cells
    In pancreatic cancer cells, pulse of NOTCH1 activation led to increased expression of NOTCH target genes namely HES1 and c-MYC. Researchers uncovered that, upon its release, the NOTCH1 intracellular domain, NOTCH intracellular domain 1, undergoes a series of post-translational modifications that include phosphorylation. [PLoS One] Full Article

    CUB-Domain Containing Protein 1 Represses the Epithelial Phenotype of Pancreatic Cancer Cells
    To clarify the role of CUB-domain containing protein-1 (CDCP1) in pancreatic cancer, researchers examined the effects of CDCP1 knockdown on the cell behaviors of pancreatic cancer cells. Knockdown of CDCP1 expression in Panc-1 resulted in reduced cellular migration accompanied by the increased expression of E-cadherin and decreased expression of N-cadherin. [Exp Cell Res] Abstract

    Different Responses of Human Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Cell Lines to Oncolytic Newcastle Disease Virus Infection
    In an effort to develop oncolytic virotherapy with Newcastle disease virus (NDV) for patients with pancreatic cancer, scientists evaluated the responses to NDV infection and interferon treatment of 11 different established human pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell lines (HPACs). Here they showed that all HPACs were susceptible to NDV. [Cancer Gene Ther] Abstract

    Overexpression of B7-H1 Correlates with Malignant Cell Proliferation in Pancreatic Cancer
    Researchers investigated the possible role of B7-H1 in the proliferation of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) cells. Functional studies were performed using pancreatic cell lines that were genetically engineered to express high or low levels of B7-H1, and they found that the overexpression of B7-H1 through plasmid transfection in PDA cells promoted cell proliferation. [Oncol Rep] Abstract

    Differentiation Doesn't Have to be Difficult - Get Easy, Standardized hPSC Differentiation

     
    REVIEWS
    KRAS: Feeding Pancreatic Cancer Proliferation
    A number of studies have shown that oncogenic KRAS plays a central role in controlling tumor metabolism by orchestrating multiple metabolic changes including stimulation of glucose uptake, differential channeling of glucose intermediates, reprogrammed glutamine metabolism, increased autophagy, and macropinocytosis. The authors review these recent findings and address how they may be applied to develop new pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma treatments. [Trends Biochem Sci] Abstract

    The Challenge of Pancreatic Cancer Therapy and Novel Treatment Strategy Using Engineered Mesenchymal Stem Cells
    This review provides a comprehensive overview of current challenges in pancreatic cancer therapy, and the authors propose a novel strategy for using mesenchymal stem cells as means of delivering anticancer genes to the site of pancreas. [Cancer Gene Ther] Abstract

    Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the pancreatic cell research field.

     
    INDUSTRY NEWS
    Clinical Trial Participation Today May Lead to Future Breakthroughs in Pancreatic Cancer, One of the Nation’s Deadliest Cancers
    January marks the annual observance of National Pancreatic Cancer Clinical Trials Awareness Month. In the effort to highlight the urgent need to improve the survival rate for this disease, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is educating the public about clinical trials and the critical role they play in making scientific progress. [PR Newswire Association LLC] Press Release

    Trovagene and US Oncology Research Collaborate on a Prospective Study for Urine-Based KRAS Testing in Patients with Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer
    Trovagene, Inc. and US Oncology Research announced that they have entered into a Clinical Study Agreement to examine the utility of quantitative urine-based KRAS mutation detection and monitoring in pancreatic cancer patients. [Trovagene, Inc.] Press Release

    DiaVacs’s Immunotherapy Product for Treatment of Type 1 Diabetes Receives Orphan Drug Status Designation from the FDA
    DiaVacs, Inc. announced that the Office of Orphan Products Development of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted orphan drug designation for the company’s type 1 diabetes mellitus therapy. [PR Newswire Association LLC] Press Release

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    POLICY NEWS
    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)

    Therapeutic Goods Administration (Australia)

     
    EVENTS
    NEW 12th International Congress on Targeted Anticancer Therapies
    March 5-7, 2014
    Washington, United States

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

     
    JOB OPPORTUNITIES
    NEW PhD Scholarship Positions – Diabetes & Obesity Research (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University)

    NEW PhD Student Position – Diabetes and Bone Regeneration (KU Leuven)

    NEW Postdoctoral Position РDevelopment of Cellular Assays for Drug Development and Testing in Diabetes Treatment (Universit̩ de Sherbrooke)

    NEW Postdoctoral Position – Pancreatic Cancer Research (University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio)

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

    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)

    Faculty Fellowship – Diabetes Research (Joslin Diabetes Center)

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

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


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