Pancreatic Cell News Volume 6.22 | Jun 9 2015

DICER Inactivation Identifies Pancreatic β-Cell “Disallowed” Genes Targeted by MicroRNAs
The authors explored the role in gene disallowance of microRNAs, a type of small non-coding RNA that silence gene expression at the post-transcriptional level and which are essential for β-cell development and function. [Mol Endocrinol] Abstract | Full Article

Swertisin an Anti-Diabetic Compound Facilitates Islet Neogenesis from Pancreatic Stem/Progenitor Cells via p-38 MAP Kinase-SMAD Pathway: An In-Vitro and In-Vivo Study
Researchers investigated the molecular signals that Swertisin generates for promoting differentiation of pancreatic progenitors into islet cells. [PLoS One] Full Article

Glucose-Dependent Insulin Secretion in Pancreatic β-Cell Islets from Male Rats Requires Ca²⁺ Release via ROS-Stimulated Ryanodine Receptors
The authors explored if ryanodine receptor-mediated Ca²⁺ release contributes to glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in β-cell islets isolated from male rats. Stimulatory glucose increased islet insulin secretion, and promoted reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in islets and dissociated β-cells. [PLoS One] Full Article

PANCREATIC CANCER

Tissue Transglutaminase Mediated Tumor-Stroma Interaction Promotes Pancreatic Cancer Progression
Scientists showed that tissue transglutaminase secreted by cancer cells effectively molds the stroma by crosslinking collagen, which in turn activates fibroblasts and stimulates their proliferation. The stiff fibrotic stromal reaction conveys mechanical cues to cancer cells leading to activation of the YAP/TAZ transcription factors, promoting cell proliferation and tumor growth. [Clin Cancer Res] Abstract

MUC16-Mediated Activation of mTOR and c-Myc Reprograms Pancreatic Cancer Metabolism
Scientists observed that MUC16 knockdown pancreatic cancer cells exhibit reduced glucose uptake and lactate secretion along with reduced migration and invasion potential, which can be restored by supplementing the culture media with lactate, an end product of aerobic glycolysis. [Oncotarget] Full Article

Micro-RNAs miR-29a and miR-330-5p Function as Tumor Suppressors by Targeting the MUC1 Mucin in Pancreatic Cancer Cells
Scientists studied MUC1 regulation by miRNAs in pancreatic cancer cells and identified those with tumor suppressive activity. In vitro and in vivo experiments indicated that miR-29a and miR-330-5p are strong inhibitors of MUC1 expression in pancreatic cancer cells through direct binding to MUC1 3′-UTR. [Biochim Biophys Acta] Abstract

Synergistic Antitumor Effects of Radiation and Proteasome Inhibitor Treatment in Pancreatic Cancer through the Induction of Autophagy and the Downregulation of TRAF6
Following combined treatment with ionizing radiation and proteasome inhibitor, researchers analyzed the expression of TRAF6 and the mechanism of human pancreatic cancer cell death in vitro and in an orthotopic pancreatic cancer mouse model. [Cancer Lett] Abstract

Retinoic Acid Reduces Stem Cell-Like Features in Pancreatic Cancer Cells
Investigators analyzed how retinoic acid affects pancreatic cancer stem cells and how its combination with chemotherapy could impact cell growth. [Pancreas] Abstract

Up-Regulation of Fatty Acid Synthase Induced by EGFR/ERK Activation Promotes Tumor Growth in Pancreatic Cancer
Knockdown or inhibition of endogenous fatty acid synthase (FASN) decreased cell proliferation and increased cell apoptosis in HPAC and AsPC-1 cells. Furthermore, researchers demonstrated that EGFR/ERK signaling accounts for elevated FASN expression in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma as ascertained by performing siRNA assays and using specific pharmacological inhibitors. [Biochem Biophys Res Commun] Abstract

Challenges of Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is currently the most deadly common carcinoma with an overall 5-year survival rate of about 6%. The authors highlight agents that illuminate various cell populations that comprise the tumor: epithelial, endothelial, and stromal tumor cells. [Cancer J] Abstract

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Poxel Announces Additional Positive Phase II Results Establishing Unique Glucose-Control Features of Imeglimin in Type 2 Diabetes
POXEL SA announced positive results from a new Phase II trial evaluating Imeglimin, the company’s first-in-class oral anti-diabetic agent. [Press release from POXEL SA discussing research presented at the American Diabetes Association (ADA) 75^th Scientific Sessions, Boston] Press Release

Ligand Announces Favorable Results from Phase Ib Trial with LGD-6972 in Type 2 Diabetes and Plans to Initiate a Phase II Trial
Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated announced results from a Phase Ib clinical trial with LGD-6972 that demonstrate favorable safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics in normal healthy volunteers and in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus. [Press release from Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated discussing research presented at the American Diabetes Association (ADA) 75^th Scientific Sessions, Boston] Press Release

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The Ontario Institute for Cancer Research Invests $4.6 Million to Support Pancreatic Cancer Research
The Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR) announced OICR is investing $4.6 million over two years in PanCuRx, an initiative that seeks solutions to the high fatality rate of pancreatic cancer. [Ontario Institute for Cancer Research] Press Release

Massachusetts General Hospital Launches Phase II Trial of BCG Vaccine to Reverse Type 1 Diabetes
A Phase II clinical trial testing the ability of the generic vaccine bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) to reverse advanced type 1 diabetes has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. [Massachusetts General Hospital] 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)

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

Research Associate – Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Postdoctoral Position – Diabetes Complications (Novo Nordisk)

PhD Position – Pancreatic Diseases (University Hospital Zurich)

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 – Obesity and Diabetes Research (University of Iowa)

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