Pancreatic Cell News Volume 6.31 | Aug 11 2015

TYK2, a Candidate Gene for Type 1 Diabetes, Modulates Apoptosis and the Innate Immune Response in Human Pancreatic β-Cells
Researchers evaluated whether TYK2 plays a role in human pancreatic β-cell apoptosis and production of pro-inflammatory mediators. TYK2-silenced human β-cells exposed to polyinosinic-polycitidilic acid showed less type I interferon (IFN) pathway activation and lower production of IFNα and CXCL10. These cells had also decreased expression of MHC class I proteins, a hallmark of early β-cell inflammation in type 1 diabetes. [Diabetes] Abstract

c-Kit Receptor Signaling Regulates Islet Vasculature, β-Cell Survival and Function In Vivo
Investigators examined the effects of c-Kit–mediated vascular endothelial growth factor isoform A (VEGF-A) and islet vascularization on β-cell function and survival using in vitro cell culture and in vivo mouse models. [Diabetes] Abstract

Adult Human Biliary Tree Stem Cells Differentiate to β-Pancreatic Islet Cells by Treatment with a Recombinant Human Pdx1 Peptide
Researchers explored a protein-based strategy to induce differentiation of human biliary tree stem cells towards β-pancreatic cells. Differentiation toward pancreatic islet cells were evaluated by the expression of the β-cell transcription factors, pancreatic and duodenal homeobox 1 (pdx1) and musculoapo-neurotic fibrosarcoma oncogene homolog A, and of the pancreatic hormones, insulin, glucagon, and somatostatin. [PLoS One] Full Article

PANCREATIC CANCER

IGF1 Receptor Targeted Theranostic Nanoparticles for Targeted and Image-Guided Therapy of Pancreatic Cancer
Scientists developed IGF1 receptor (IGF1R) directed, multi-functional theranostic nanoparticles for targeted delivery of therapeutic agents into IGF1R expressing drug resistant tumor cells and tumor associated stromal cells. IGF1R targeted therapy using the theranostic IGF1-iron oxide nanoparticles-doxorubicin significantly inhibited the growth of pancreatic patient-derived xenograft tumors. [ACS Nano] Abstract

The Mek1/2 Inhibitor Pimasertib Enhances Gemcitabine Efficacy in Pancreatic Cancer Models by Altering Protein Levels of Ribonucleotide Reductase Subunit-1 (RRM1)
Synergistic activity was observed when gemcitabine was combined sequentially with pimasertib in human pancreatic cancer cells. In particular, pimasertib reduced RRM1 protein and this was associated with sensitivity to gemcitabine. [Clin Cancer Res] Abstract

Semaphorin 3D Autocrine Signaling Mediates the Metastatic Role of Annexin A2 in Pancreatic Cancer
Using cells from a genetic mouse model of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA), researchers found that annexin A2 increased the release of semaphorin 3D from PDA cells and promoted migratory behavior in cultured PDA cells. [Sci Signal] Abstract | Press Release

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

Hypoxia Inducible Factor 1α Down Regulates Cell Surface Expression of α1,2-Fucosylated Glycans in Human Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Cells
Researchers showed that hypoxia inducible factor 1α is constitutively expressed in the pancreatic cancer cell lines Pa-Tu-8988S and Pa-Tu-8988T and suppresses the expression of the α1,2-fucosyltransferase genes FUT1 and FUT2. [FEBS Lett] Abstract

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UCSF to Study Halozyme PEGPH20 in Pancreatic Cancer Patients Who Are Candidates for Potentially Curative Surgery
Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc. announced the Pancreas Center at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) has initiated a clinical research study of Halozyme’s investigational new drug, PEGPH20 in pancreatic cancer patients who are candidates for potentially curative surgery. [Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc.] Press Release

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

Research Associate – Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

PhD Position – Beta-Cell Biology and Diabetes (University of British Columbia)

Postdoctoral Research Assistant – Islet Cell Electrophysiology in Diabetes Research (University of Oxford)

Harry Eagle Scholar Awards for Postdoctoral Candidates (Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University)

Postdoctoral Positions – Cancer Research (Rutgers University)

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

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)

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