Pancreatic Cell News Volume 5.17 | May 6 2014

JunB Protects ß-Cells from Lipotoxicity via the XBP1-AKT Pathway
Researchers interrogated the molecular mechanisms involved in JunB-mediated ß-cell protection from lipotoxicity. The saturated fatty acid palmitate decreased JunB expression, and this loss may contribute to ß-cell apoptosis, as overexpression of JunB protected cells from lipotoxicity. [Cell Death Differ] Full Article

A Novel Pancreatic ß-Cell Targeting Bispecific-Antibody (BsAb) Can Prevent the Development of Type 1 Diabetes in NOD Mice
BsAb was prepared by chemically coupling an anti-glucose transporter-2 (GLUT2) monoclonal antibody (mAb) to an agonistic anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4) mAb. This BsAb was able to bind to GLUT2 and CTLA-4 in vitro, and to pancreatic islets, both in vitro and in vivo. [Clin Immunol] Abstract

Aldehyde Dehydrogenase Expression Characterizes G1-Phase Proliferating Beta Cells during Pregnancy
Scientists report a dynamic increase in the number of Aldefluor+ beta cells during pregnancy. Interestingly, nearly all these Aldefluor+ beta cells are positive for Ki-67, suggesting that they are in an active cell cycle. [PLoS One] Full Article

The H1-Receptor Antagonist Cetirizine Protects Partially against Cytokine- and Hydrogen Peroxide-Induced ß-TC6 Cell Death In Vitro
Scientists determined whether H₁-receptor antagonists affect cytokine-induced ß-cell death and signaling in vitro. [Pancreas] Abstract

PANCREATIC CANCER

Chloroquine Targets Pancreatic Cancer Stem Cells via Inhibition of CXCR4 and Hedgehog Signaling
Researchers screened established and new compounds for their ability to eliminate cancer stem cells in primary pancreatic cancer cells in vitro and corresponding patient-derived pancreatic cancer tissue xenografts in vivo. [Mol Cancer Ther] Abstract

Cellular Contractility and Extracellular Matrix Stiffness Regulate Matrix Metalloproteinase Activity in Pancreatic Cancer Cells
Researchers sensitively measured matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity changes in response to specific extracellular matrix environments and cell contractility states. Cells of a pancreatic cancer cell line, Panc-1, up-regulate MMP activities between 3- and 10-fold with increased cell contractility. [FASEB J] Abstract

PTK6 Promotes Cancer Migration and Invasion in Pancreatic Cancer Cells Dependent on ERK Signaling
Scientists evaluated the functional role of protein tyrosine kinase 6 (PTK6) on pancreatic cancer invasion. Five pancreatic cancer cell lines expressed PTK6 at varying levels. PTK6 expression was also observed in human pancreatic adenocarcinomas. [PLoS One] Full Article

Pim-3 Promotes Human Pancreatic Cancer Growth by Regulating Tumor Vasculogenesis
To assess the role of Pim-3 in human pancreatic carcinogenesis in vivo and to determine the underlying Pim-3 signaling regulatory mechanisms, scientists established MiaPaca-2 cells overexpressing wild-type Pim-3 or Pim-3 kinase dead mutants as well as PCI55 cells stably expressing Pim-3 shRNA or scrambled shRNA in a tetracycline-inducible manner. [Oncol Rep] Abstract

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

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JDRF Comments on New Data from the SEARCH for Diabetes in Youth Study Showing a 21 Percent Increase in Type 1 Diabetes Among American Youth
Richard Insel, M.D., chief scientific officer of JDRF, issued a statement in response to a new study showing an increase in type 1 diabetes (T1D) among young people in the United States. According to the latest SEARCH for Diabetes in Youth Study data by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health, the prevalence of T1D in people under age 20 years rose by 21 percent between 2001 and 2009. [JDRF] Press Release

UGA to Use $5 Million Gift to Support Center for Molecular Medicine
A $5 million gift to support the Center for Molecular Medicine at the University of Georgia (UGA) will allow the institution to greatly advance its research into human disease. [University of Georgia] Press Release

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)

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

NEW Research Technologist – hPSC (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Diabetes (Lund University Diabetes Center)

Postdoctoral Position – Pancreatic Cancer (CNIO – Spanish National Cancer Research Center)

Associate Academic Staff – Diagnosis, Prevention and Treatment of Diabetes (Vrije Universiteit Brussel)

PhD Studentship – Functional Role of MicroRNA in Vascular Complications of Diabetes (University of Edinburgh)

Postdoctoral Position – Diabetes (TAMHSC)

Diabetes Researchers – Pathway to Stop Diabetes (American Diabetes Association)

Director of GMP/GLP Quality Operations (University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine)

Research Associate – Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Technologist – Pluripotent Stem Cells (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Technologist – PSC Biology and Bioengineering (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

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