DIABETES & PANCREATITIS Mesenchymal Hox6 Function Is Required for Pancreatic Endocrine Cell Differentiation Scientists report a novel role for Hox6 genes in pancreatic organogenesis. Genetic loss of all three Hox6 paralogs leads to a dramatic loss of endoderm-derived endocrine cells including insulin-secreting beta cells, as well as mild delays and disruptions in pancreas branching and exocrine differentiation. [Development] Abstract Ca2+ Signals Mediated by Bradykinin Type 2 Receptors in Normal Pancreatic Stellate Cells Can Be Inhibited by Specific Ca2+ Channel Blockade Investigators compared Ca2+ signaling in pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) and their better studied neighboring acinar cells (PACs) and found complete separation of Ca2+ signaling in even closely neighboring PACs and PSCs. [J Physiol] Abstract Krüppel-Like Factor 4 Overexpression Initiates a Mesenchymal-to-Epithelial Transition and Redifferentiation of Human Pancreatic Cells following Expansion in Long Term Adherent Culture Scientists determined whether the transcription factor Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4), could induce a mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition of cultured cells. Islet-enriched pancreatic cells, allowed to dedifferentiate and expand in adherent cell culture, were transduced with an adenovirus containing KLF4. [PLoS One] Full Article Effects of Cyanidin-3-O-Glucoside on Synthetic and Metabolic Activity of Ethanol Stimulated Human Pancreatic Stellate Cells Researchers demonstrated that treatment with cyanidin-3-O-glucoside decreased proliferation rate of ethanol activated human pancreatic stellate cell (hPSC) by 51%. Synthesis of extracellular matrix proteins in activated hPSC was markedly inhibited, as shown by reduced levels of collagen I and fibronectin expression. [Phytother Res] Abstract PANCREATIC CANCER Interplay between Menin and Dnmt1 Reversibly Regulates Pancreatic Cancer Cell Growth Downstream of the Hedgehog Signaling Pathway Investigators found that menin inhibited pancreatic cancer cell growth in vitro and in vivo and that its expression was gradually lost during pancreatic carcinogenesis. [Cancer Lett] Abstract PIK3CA Mutations Can Initiate Pancreatic Tumorigenesis and Are Targetable with PI3K Inhibitors Researchers examined mutant PIK3CA-mediated pancreatic tumorigenesis and the response of PIK3CA mutant pancreatic cancers to dual phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/mammalian target of rapamycin inhibition. [Oncogenesis] Full Article KLF2 Is Downregulated in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma and Inhibits the Growth and Migration of Cancer Cells The authors examined the expression of Kruppel-like factor 2 (KLF2) in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) clinical samples and evaluated the functions of KLF2 in the progression of PDAC. KLF2 is shown to be downregulated in PDAC clinical samples and overexpression of KLF2 inhibits the growth, migration, and metastasis of PDAC cancer cells. [Tumor Biol] Abstract Combinatorial Treatment of CD95L and Gemcitabine in Pancreatic Cancer Cells Induces Apoptotic and RIP1-Mediated Necroptotic Cell Death Network Scientists demonstrated that the combined action of CD95L and gemcitabine in pancreatic cancer cells leads to the simultaneous induction of caspase-dependent and caspase-independent cell death. [Exp Cell Res] Abstract Low-Dose Gemcitabine Induces Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I-Related Chain A/B Expression and Enhances an Antitumor Innate Immune Response in Pancreatic Cancer Researchers investigated the effect of gemcitabine on the expression of cell surface MICA/B in pancreatic cancer cells and resulting cytotoxicity of γδ T cells. [Clin Exp Med] Abstract |