Pancreatic Cell News Volume 6.29 | Jul 28 2015

The Circular RNA Cdr1as, via miR-7 and Its Targets, Regulates Insulin Transcription and Secretion in Islet Cells
Scientists showed the first characterization of Cdr1as expression in islet cells, which was upregulated by long-term forskolin and PMA stimulation, but not high glucose, indicating the involvement of cAMP and PKC pathways. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Role of the AMP Kinase in Cytokine-Induced Human EndoC-βH1 Cell Death
Investigators delineated cytokine-induced signaling and death using EndoC-βH1 cells as a model for primary human beta-cells. The cytokines IL-1β and IFN-γ induced a rapid and transient activation of NF-κB, STAT-1, ERK, JNK and eIF-2α signaling. [Mol Cell Endocrinol] Abstract

A Novel TGR5 Activator WB403 Promotes GLP-1 Secretion and Preserves Pancreatic β-Cells in Type 2 Diabetic Mice
Scientists explored the therapeutic potential of WB403, a small compound activating TGR5 which was identified by combining TGR5 targeted luciferase assay and active GLP-1 assay, in treating type 2 diabetes. [PLoS One] Full Article

Soy Leaf Extract Containing Kaempferol Glycosides and Pheophorbides Improves Glucose Homeostasis by Enhancing Pancreatic β-Cell Function and Suppressing Hepatic Lipid Accumulation in db/db Mice
Kaempferol, an aglycone of kaempferol glycosides, improved β-cell proliferation through IRS2-related FoxO1 signaling, whereas pheophorbide a, a product of chlorophyll breakdown, improved insulin secretion and β-cell proliferation through IRS1-related signaling with protein kinase A in MIN6 cells. [J Agric Food Chem] Abstract

PANCREATIC CANCER

Warfarin Blocks Gas6-Mediated Axl Activation Required for Pancreatic Cancer Epithelial Plasticity and Metastasis
Investigators showed that inhibiting Gas6-dependent Axl activation with low dose warfarin or with other tumor-specific Axl targeting agents blocks the progression and spread of pancreatic cancer. Warfarin also inhibited Axl-dependent tumor cell migration, invasiveness and proliferation while increasing apoptosis and sensitivity to chemotherapy. [Cancer Res] Abstract

OSI-027 Inhibits Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Cell Proliferation and Enhances the Therapeutic Effect of Gemcitabine Both In Vitro and In Vivo
Researchers investigated the in vitro efficacy of OSI-027, a selective inhibitor of mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) and mTORC2, to treat pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cell lines alone, and in combination with gemcitabine. [Oncotarget] Full Article

The Pseudokinase SgK223 Promotes Invasion of Pancreatic Ductal Epithelial Cells through JAK1/Stat3 Signaling
Elevated site-selective tyrosine phosphorylation of SgK223 was identified in subsets of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cell lines, and increased expression of SgK223 detected in several PDAC cell lines compared to human pancreatic ductal epithelial cells and in PDACs compared to normal pancreas. [Mol Cancer] Full Article

Molecular Mechanisms by Which a Fucus vesiculosus Extract Mediates Cell Cycle Inhibition and Cell Death in Pancreatic Cancer Cells
Researchers describe cellular and molecular mechanisms induced by an HPLC-fractionated, hydrophilic extract derived from the Baltic brown seaweed Fucus vesiculosus (Fv1). Treatment with Fv1 resulted in a strong inhibition of viability in various pancreatic cancer cell lines. [Mar Drugs] Full Article

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Sanofi and Regeneron Launch Major New Immuno-Oncology Collaboration
Sanofi and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. have entered into a new global collaboration to discover, develop and commercialize new antibody cancer treatments in the emerging field of immuno-oncology. [Sanofi] Press Release

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

Research Associate – Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Postdoctoral Positions – Cancer Research (Rutgers University)

Postdoctoral Research Scientist – Disease Gene Regulation (Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics)

Professorship – Molecular Biology of Diabetes Pathogenesis (University of Southern Denmark)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Pancreatic Beta Cell Biology and Regeneration, Relating to Diabetes (Mount Sinai School of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Immunopathogenesis of Type 1 Diabetes (Tongji Medical College)

PhD Student – Diabetes (Danish Diabetes Academy)

Postdoctoral Position – Adipocyte Development (German Institute of Human Nutrition)

Postdoctoral Research Associate – Type 1 Diabetes and Other Autoimmune Diseases (Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason)

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