Pancreatic Cell News Volume 6.35 | Sep 8 2015

Postnatal β-Cell Maturation Is Associated with Islet-Specific MicroRNA Changes Induced by Nutrient Shifts at Weaning
Investigators showed that β-cell maturation is associated with changes in microRNA expression induced by the nutritional transition that occurs at weaning. When mimicked in newborn islet cells, modifications in the level of specific microRNAs result in a switch in the expression of metabolic enzymes and cause the acquisition of glucose-induced insulin release. [Nat Commun] Full Article

Anti-Aging Gene Klotho Attenuates Pancreatic β Cell Apoptosis in Type I Diabetes
In vivo β cell-specific expression of mouse Klotho gene (mKL) attenuated β cell apoptosis and prevented streptozotocin-induced diabetes. mKL promoted cell adhesion to collagen IV, increased FAK and Akt phosphorylation, and inhibited caspase 3 cleavage in cultured MIN6 β cells. [Diabetes] Abstract

Simvastatin May Induce Insulin Resistance through a Novel Fatty Acid Mediated Cholesterol Independent Mechanism
Researchers explored the possible mechanism of statin induced insulin resistance using a well-established cell based model and simvastatin as a prototype statin. Their data showed that simvastatin induces insulin resistance in a cholesterol biosynthesis inhibition independent fashion but does so by a fatty acid mediated effect on insulin signaling pathway. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Rapid, High Efficiency Isolation of Pancreatic β-Cells
The authors developed a fluorescent exendin-4-like neopeptide conjugate for the rapid purification and isolation of functional mouse pancreatic β-cells. By targeting the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor with the fluorescent conjugate, β-cells could be quickly isolated by flow cytometry and were >99% insulin positive. [Sci Rep] Full Article

PANCREATIC CANCER

Characteristics of Tumor Infiltrating Lymphocyte and Circulating Lymphocyte Repertoires in Pancreatic Cancer by the Sequencing of T Cell Receptors
T cells from primary tumor and blood of sixteen patients with pancreatic cancer were characterized by deep sequencing. By analyzing the complementary determining region 3 gene sequence, investigators found no significant differences in the T cell receptor repertoires between patients and healthy controls. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Breaking Resistance of Pancreatic Cancer Cells to an Attenuated Vesicular Stomatitis Virus through a Novel Activity of IKK Inhibitor TPCA-1
Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) is an effective oncolytic virus against most human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cell lines. To better understand the mechanism of resistance, scientists tested a panel of 16 small molecule inhibitors of different cellular signaling pathways, and identified TPCA-1 and ruxolitinib, as strong enhancers of VSV-ΔM51 replication and virus-mediated oncolysis in all VSV-resistant PDAC cell lines. [Virology] Abstract

Systemic Administration of Small Interfering RNA Targeting Human Nestin Inhibits Pancreatic Cancer Cell Proliferation and Metastasis
Nestin small interfering RNA (siRNA) inhibited the growth, migration, invasion, and sphere-forming ability of the pancreatic cancer cell lines. Pancreatic cancer cells cotreated with gemcitabine and nestin siRNA exhibited lower cell viability than cells treated with a control siRNA, gemcitabine alone, or nestin siRNA alone. [Pancreas] Abstract

Secreted Phosphoprotein 24 kD (Spp24) Inhibits Growth of Human Pancreatic Cancer Cells Caused by BMP-2
Investigators report that bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP)-2 can promote the proliferation of the pancreatic tumor cell line, PANC-1. Spp24, a BMP binding protein, did not affect the proliferation of the cells but promoted the apoptosis of the cells in vitro. [Biochem Biophys Res Commun] Abstract

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U.S. FDA Approves Synjardy^® (Empagliflozin/Metformin Hydrochloride) Tablets for Adults with Type 2 Diabetes
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Synjardy^® tablets, from Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Eli Lilly and Company, for the treatment of adults with type 2 diabetes. [Eli Lilly and Company] Press Release

Nearly $10 Million to Be Invested to Support Pancreatic Cancer Research
The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network will invest nearly $9.7 million in research in 2016, representing a more than 40 percent increase over last year’s investment. Of this total, close to $6.8 million will be awarded through the organization’s competitive Research Grants Program. [Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PR Newswire Association LLC)] Press Release

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NEW Postdoctoral Position – Diabetes (Harvard Medical School)

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

Postdoctoral Position – Diabetes Research (Inserm)

Postdoctoral Position – Diabetes Research (Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Translational Research Program (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

Postdoctoral Research Scientist – Pancreatic Cancer (Columbia University)

Postdoctoral Position – Metabolic Diseases (ETH Zürich)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Development and Pathogenesis of Pancreatic Cancer (University College London)

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

Postdoctoral Positions – Cancer Research (Rutgers University)

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