DIABETES & PANCREATITIS Alarmin High-Mobility Group B1 (HMGB1) Is Regulated in Human Adipocytes in Insulin Resistance and Influences Insulin Secretion in ß-Cells Investigators aimed to characterize the effect of insulin resistance on HMGB1 in adipose tissue and to examine its potential role as a metabolic regulator in ß-pancreatic cells. [Int J Obes] Abstract Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase-1B Modulates Pancreatic ß-Cell Mass Researchers studied the role of protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) in pancreatic ß-cells. Silencing of PTP1B expression in a pancreatic ß-cell line revealed the significance of this endoplasmic reticulum bound phosphatase in the regulation of cell proliferation and apoptosis. [PLoS One] Full Article Bone Morphogenetic Protein Signaling Protects against Cerulein-Induced Pancreatic Fibrosis In vitro, bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)2 inhibited TGF-ß-induced extracellular matrix protein fibronectin production in wild-type pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs); this effect was abolished in BMPR2+/- PSCs. [PLoS One] Full Article Apoptosis Induced by Islet Amyloid Polypeptide Soluble Oligomers Is Neutralized by Diabetes-Associated Specific Antibodies Scientists describe the isolation of Type 2 diabetes-associated islet amyloid polypeptide soluble cytotoxic oligomers; these oligomers induced apoptosis in cultured pancreatic cells, permeated model lipid vesicles and interacted with cell membranes following complete internalization. [Sci Rep] Full Article PANCREATIC CANCER Targeting the Prohibitin Scaffold-CRAF Kinase Interaction in RAS-ERK-Driven Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Prohibitin (PHB) expression was analyzed in human pancreatic cancer cell lines, normal pancreas, and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma tissue. Furthermore, genetic ablation or pharmacological inhibition of PHB was performed to determine its role in growth, migration, and signaling of pancreatic cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. [Mol Cancer] Full Article Complementary Induction of Immunogenic Cell Death by Oncolytic Parvovirus H-1PV and Gemcitabine in Pancreatic Cancer Researchers showed that in human pancreatic cancer cells, oncolytic parvovirus H-1 activated multiple interconnected death pathways but failed to induce calreticulin exposure or ATP release. [J Virol] Abstract Orai1 and STIM1 Mediate SOCE and Contribute to Apoptotic Resistance of Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Researchers demonstrated that ORAI1 and STIM1 mediate store-operated calcium entry (SOCE) in pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell lines. [Biochim Biophys Acta] Abstract The Multifunctional Growth Factor Midkine Promotes Proliferation and Migration in Pancreatic Cancer Scientists investigated the molecular role of Midkine in pancreatic cancer. It was found that Midkine is elevated in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and differentially expressed in other histological subtypes of pancreatic cancer, whereas normal pancreatic cells did not express Midkine. [Mol Cancer Res] Abstract Gemcitabine Resistance Is Associated with Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and Induction of HIF-1 in Pancreatic Cancer Cells Gemcitabine-resistant pancreatic cancer cells acquired epithelial-mesenchymal transition phenotype. Moreover, gemcitabine-resistant cells have increased migration and invasion activities. [Curr Cancer Drug Targets] Abstract |