Pancreatic Cell News Volume 6.04 | Feb 3 2015

Phospho-BAD BH3 Mimicry Protects β Cells and Restores Functional β Cell Mass in Diabetes
Scientists show genetic and pharmacologic mimetics of the phosphorylated BCL-2 homology 3 (BH3) domain of BAD impart β-cell-autonomous protective effects in the face of stress stimuli relevant to β cell demise in type 1 diabetes. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Inhibitor of Differentiation Proteins Protect against Oxidative Stress by Regulating the Antioxidant-Mitochondrial Response in Mouse Beta Cells
Scientists investigated whether or not oxidative stress regulates inhibitor of differentiation (ID) levels in beta cells and the role of ID proteins in beta cells during oxidative stress. [Diabetologia] Abstract

High Fat Diet-Induced Beta Cell Proliferation Occurs Prior to Insulin Resistance in C57Bl/6J Male Mice
To examine the kinetics of high fat diet (HFD)-induced beta cell proliferation and its correlation with insulin resistance, researchers placed 8-week-old male C57Bl/6J mice on HFD for different lengths of time and assayed the following: glucose tolerance, insulin secretion in response to glucose, insulin tolerance, beta cell mass, and beta cell proliferation. [Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab] Abstract

Potential of UCHL1 as Biomarker for Destruction of Pancreatic Beta Cells
Ubiquitin COOH-terminal hydrolase 1 (UCHL1) was identified as an abundant protein in rat and human beta cells, showing promising beta cell-selectivity, and was selected for further validation in standardized toxicity models. In vitro, H₂O₂-induced necrosis of INS-1 cells and human islets resulted in intracellular UCHL1 depletion and its extracellular discharge. [J Proteomics] Abstract

Human iPS Cell-Derived Insulin Producing Cells Form Vascularized Organoids under the Kidney Capsules of Diabetic Mice
Scientists hypothesized that human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells can be directly differentiated into insulin producing cells (IPCs) capable of secreting insulin. Using a series of pancreatic growth factors, they successfully generated iPS cells derived IPCs. [PLoS One] Full Article | Press Release

Transcriptional Profiling and Functional Network Analyses of Islet-Like Clusters (ILCs) Generated from Pancreatic Stem Cells In Vitro
The authors have earlier reported the generation of islet-like clusters from mesenchymal stromal cell-like cells present in murine pancreas. In this report they compared these ILCs to native primary islets by transcriptome screening. [Genomics] Abstract

PANCREATIC CANCER

ADAM8 as a Drug Target in Pancreatic Cancer
Researchers show that ​ADAM8 expression is associated with increased migration and invasiveness of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells caused by activation of ​ERK1/2 and higher MMP activities. [Nat Commun] Abstract

miR-1178 Promotes the Proliferation, G1/S Transition, Migration and Invasion of Pancreatic Cancer Cells by Targeting CHIP
Scientists found that microRNA (miR)-1178 decreased the translation of the CHIP protein by targeting the 3′-UTR region. They observed that over-expression of miR-1178 facilitated the proliferation, G1/S transition, migration and invasion of pancreatic cancer cells. [PLoS One] Full Article

Pyruvate Sensitizes Pancreatic Tumors to Hypoxia-Activated Prodrug TH-302
Researchers sought to identify non-pharmacological methods to acutely exacerbate tumor hypoxia to increase TH-302 activity in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma tumor models. [Cancer Metab] Full Article

The Beta-Cell in Type 1 Diabetes, What Have we Learned from Proteomic Studies?
The authors give an overview of proteomic studies that lead to better understanding of beta-cell functioning in type 1 diabetes. [Proteomics Clin Appl] Abstract

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

Kamada Reports Encouraging Interim Data from its Phase I/II Extension Study: AAT in Pediatric Patients with Type 1 Diabetes
Kamada Ltd. reported additional data from the company’s ongoing extension study of its open-label Phase I/II clinical trial with its lead product, intravenous alpha1-proteinase inhibitor-human (AAT), to treat recently diagnosed type 1 diabetes pediatric patients. [Kamada Ltd.] Press Release

U.S. FDA Approves First-in-Class Glyxambi^® (Empagliflozin/Linagliptin) Tablets for Adults with Type 2 Diabetes
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Glyxambi^® tablets, from Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Eli Lilly and Company, as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes when both empagliflozin and linagliptin are appropriate treatments. [Eli Lilly and Company] Press Release

From our sponsor:
Interested in assays for human mammary stem and progenitor cells? Request your free wallchart.

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.

Scientist – Pluripotent Stem Cell Biology Endoderm Lineages (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientist – Pluripotent Stem Cell Media Development, High Throughput Screening (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientist – Cell Culture Support Products (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Associate – Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Postdoctoral Position – Type 1 Diabetes Research (KU Leuven)

Research Laboratory Technician – Diabetes (University of Massachusetts)

PhD Scholarships – Diabetes (Danish Diabetes Academy)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Wnt Signaling in Development and Disease (Van Andel Research Institute)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Dynamics of Regulatory Genomics (IGTP)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Post-Transcriptional Gene Regulation Governing Cancer Cell Behavior (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

Assistant or Associate Professor – Pediatric Diabetes and Metabolic Disease (University of California San Diego Health System)

Recruit Top Talent: Reach more than 50,000 potential candidates by posting your organization’s career opportunities on the Connexon Creative Job Board at no cost.