Pancreatic Cell News Volume 5.23 | Jun 17 2014

Pancreatic Beta-Cell Specific Ablation of TASK-1 Channels Augments Glucose-Stimulated Calcium Entry and Insulin Secretion, Improving Glucose Tolerance
Scientists examined the influence of TASK-1 channel activity on the β-cell plasma membrane potential and insulin secretion during secretagogue stimulation. TASK-1 channels were found to be highly expressed in human and rodent islets and localized to the plasma membrane of β-cells. [Endocrinology] Abstract

Incretin Receptor Null Mice Reveal Key Role of GLP-1 but Not GIP in Pancreatic Beta Cell Adaptation to Pregnancy
Islet adaptations to pregnancy were explored in C57BL6/J mice lacking functional receptors for glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP). [PLoS One] Full Article

A Novel 2-Step Culture Model for Long-Term In Vitro Maintenance of Human Pancreatic Acinar Cells
Researchers recently described a method for long-term cultivation of mouse acinar cells. Here, they introduce a novel 2-step culture system for human pancreatic acinar cells. [Pancreas] Abstract

Activation of Activin Type IB Receptor Signals in Pancreatic β Cells Leads to Defective Insulin Secretion through the Attenuation of ATP-Sensitive K⁺ Channel Activity
To identify distinct roles of activin signaling in pancreatic β cells, the Cre-loxP system was used to activate signaling through activin type IB receptor in pancreatic β cells. [Biochem Biophys Res Commun] Abstract

Porphyromonas gingivalis Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) Upregulates Insulin Secretion from Pancreatic Beta Cell Line MIN6
Researchers hypothesized that LPS may stimulate insulin secretion through a direct effect on beta cell function. To test this hypothesis, they used pancreatic beta cell line MIN6 cells and determined the effect of Porphyromonas gingivalis LPS on insulin secretion. [J Periodontol] Abstract

PANCREATIC CANCER

In Vitro and In Vivo Activity of the Low-Immunogenic Anti-Mesothelin Immunotoxin RG7787 in Pancreatic Cancer
In vitro activity was evaluated on five established pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cell lines and on PDAC cells directly established from a patient tumor. RG7787 had subnanomolar IC50s in most cell lines, and was significantly more active than SS1P in GUMC108, KLM-1 and Panc 3.014 cells. [Mol Cancer Ther] Abstract

Chondroitin Sulfate Proteoglycan CSPG4 as a Novel Hypoxia-Sensitive Marker in Pancreatic Tumors
In vitro testing confined potential changes in CSPG4 tissue expression (pCSPG4) overexpression to normal mesenchymal but not epithelial cells, and a third of tested carcinoma cell lines; however, only the latter showed pCSPG4-responsiveness to chronic hypoxia. [PLoS One] Full Article

Inhibitory Effects of Prostaglandin E2 on Collagen Synthesis and Cell Proliferation in Human Stellate Cells from Pancreatic Head Adenocarcinoma
Researchers examined expression of cyclooxygenase-2 in cancer cells and stromal cells in pancreatic cancer specimens, and explored the role of PGE2 in pancreatic stellate cell proliferation and collagen synthesis. [BMC Cancer] Abstract | Full Article

PP2A Inhibitors Suppress Migration and Growth of PANC-1 Pancreatic Cancer Cells through Inhibition on the Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway by Phosphorylation and Degradation of β-Catenin
Scientists found that protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) inhibitor treatment induced phosphorylation and degradation of β-catenin. The suppression on the migration and growth of PANC-1 pancreatic cancer cells could be attenuated by pretreatment with FH535, a β-catenin pathway inhibitor. [Oncol Rep] Abstract

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Celerion Selected by the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH) Biomarkers Consortium for The Beta Cell Project
Celerion announced it has been selected by the FNIH Biomarkers Consortium to provide clinical support for The Beta Cell Project. The Beta Cell Project is a program of studies designed to standardize biomarker measures of beta cell function. [Celerion] Press Release

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NEW Postdoctoral Position – Mechanisms that Direct β-Cell Birth and Growth (IDIBAPS – August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute)

Diabetes UK RD Lawrence Fellowships (Diabetes UK)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Mechanisms that Drive Gastrointestinal Malignancies (Washington University School of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Calcium Signaling (Brigham & Women’s Hospital – Harvard Medical School)

Postdoctoral Position – Role of Calreticulin in TGF-Beta Signaling in the Kidney Proximal Tubule under Diabetic Conditions (University of Alabama)

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)

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

Scientist – Immunology/Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Associate – Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

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