Pancreatic Cell News Volume 6.20 | May 26 2015

Complement Component 5 Mediates Development of Fibrosis, via Activation of Stellate Cells, in Two Mouse Models of Chronic Pancreatitis
The authors investigated the roles of complement component 5 (C5) in pancreatic fibrogenesis in mice and patients. Direct effects of C5 were studied in cultured primary cells. [Gastroenterology] Abstract | Full Article

Set7/9 Regulates Cytokine-Induced Expression of Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase through Methylation of Lysine 4 at Histone 3 in the Islet β Cell
Given that inflammation is a central component of β cell dysfunction in type 1 and type 2 diabetes, investigators elucidated the role of Set7/9 in proinflammatory cytokine signaling in β cells. [J Biol Chem]
Abstract | Full Article

Streptozotocin Induces Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Apoptosis via Disruption of Calcium Homeostasis in Mouse Pancreas
Scientists hypothesized that streptozotocin disrupts calcium homeostasis and the altered intracellular calcium levels may induce cell death. Depletion of calcium from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) leads to ER-stress and can induce apoptosis. [Mol Cell Endocrinol] Abstract

Fibrin Supports Human Fetal Islet-Epithelial Cell Differentiation via p70^s6k and Promotes Vascular Formation during Transplantation
Scientists investigated how fibrin promotes human fetal pancreatic cell differentiation in vitro and in vivo. Fibrin-cultured human fetal pancreatic cells had significantly increased expression of PDX-1, glucagon, insulin, and VEGF-A, along with increased integrin αVβ3 and phosphorylated FAK and p70^s6k. [Lab Invest] Abstract

PANCREATIC CANCER

Loss of Polarity Protein AF6 Promotes Pancreatic Cancer Metastasis by Inducing Snail Expression
Researchers demonstrated that depletion of AF6 markedly promotes proliferation and metastasis of pancreatic cancer cells through upregulation of the expression of Snail protein, and this requires the nuclear localization of AF6. [Nat Commun] Abstract

Expression of E-Cadherin Repressors SNAIL, ZEB1 and ZEB2 by Tumor and Stromal Cells Influences Tumor-Budding Phenotype and Suggests Heterogeneity of Stromal Cells in Pancreatic Cancer
Investigators characterized the tumor-budding- and stromal cells in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma at protein and mRNA levels concerning factors involved in epithelial–mesenchymal transition. [Br J Cancer] Abstract

The Roles of ROS and Caspases in TRAIL-Induced Apoptosis and Necroptosis in Human Pancreatic Cancer Cells
Scientists investigated reactive oxygen species (ROS) and caspases in human pancreatic cancer cells undergoing two different types of tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)-induced cell death, apoptosis and necroptosis. [PLoS One] Full Article

Autophagy Sustains the Survival of Human Pancreatic Cancer PANC-1 Cells under Extreme Nutrient Deprivation Conditions
Researchers elucidated the role of autophagy in promoting the survival of human pancreatic cancer PANC-1 cells exposed to nutrient-deprived media lacking glucose, amino acids, and serum. [Biochem Biophys Res Commun] Abstract

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Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas Awards 41 New Grants
The Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas awarded 28 grants through its academic research program, 11 grants through its prevention program and two grants through its product development research program. [Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas] Press Release

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National Institutes of Health (United States)

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Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (United States)

European Medicines Agency (European Union)

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

Research Associate – Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Postdoctoral Position – Metabolic Fingerprinting of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (CEU San Pablo University)

Postdoctoral Position – Cancer (MD Anderson Cancer Center)

Research Fellow – Systems Biology (University of Glasgow)

PhD Studentships – Diabetes Research (Diabetes UK)

Postdoctoral Position – Type 1 Diabetes Research (KU Leuven)

Research Assistant/Associate – Pancreatic Cancer (University of Glasgow)

Postdoctoral Position – Obesity and Diabetes Research (University of Iowa)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Mechanisms of Cell Death of Normal Tissue Stem Cells (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center)

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