Pancreatic Cell News Volume 7.04 | Feb 2 2016

Nucleotide-Binding Oligomerization Domain 1 Acts in Concert with the Cholecystokinin Receptor Agonist, Cerulein, to Induce IL-33-Dependent Chronic Pancreatitis
Scientists explored the long-term outcome of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain 1 (NOD1) responsiveness in a new model of chronic pancreatitis induced by repeated administration of low doses of cerulein in combination with NOD1 ligand. [Mucosal Immunol] Abstract

Isoxazole Alters Metabolites and Gene Expression, Decreasing Proliferation and Promoting a Neuroendocrine Phenotype in β-cells
Researchers showed that isoxazole induces genes that support neuroendocrine and β-cell phenotypes and suppresses genes important for proliferation. Isoxazole alters β-cell metabolites and protects glucose-responsive signaling pathways under lipotoxic conditions. [ACS Chem Biol] Abstract

Enzymes for Pancreatic Islet Isolation Impact Chemokine-Production and Polarization of Insulin-Producing β-Cells with Reduced Functional Survival of Immunoisolated Rat Islet-Allografts as a Consequence
Investigators aimed to determine whether normal variations in enzyme-activities of collagenases applied for rat-islet isolation impact longevity of encapsulated islet grafts. They studied the functional and immunological properties of rat islets isolated with different enzyme preparations to determine whether this impacts these parameters. [PLoS One] Full Article 

PANCREATIC CANCER

Functional Malignant Cell Heterogeneity in Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors Revealed by Targeting of PDGF-DD
Scientists identified the expression of platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta (PDGFRβ) as a previously unrecognized feature of a minor malignant cell population in pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

Delivery of Improved Oncolytic Adenoviruses by Mesenchymal Stromal Cells for Elimination of Tumorigenic Pancreatic Cancer Cells
Scientists evaluated improved oncolytic adenoviruses, in which the adenoviral gene E1B19K was deleted or a TRAIL transgene was inserted. The infection competence, tumor migration, and oncolysis were measured in cancer stem cell models of primary and established tumor cells and in tumor xenografts. [Oncotarget] Full Article

GSK-3β Governs Inflammation-Induced NFATc2 Signaling Hubs to Promote Pancreatic Cancer Progression
The authors aimed to investigate the mechanistic, functional and therapeutic role of GSK-3β in the regulation and activation of the pro-inflammatory oncogenic transcription factor NFATc2 in pancreatic cancer. [Mol Cancer Ther] Abstract

Modeling Therapy Response and Spatial Tissue Distribution of Erlotinib in Pancreatic Cancer
Scientists aimed to investigate the emerging technology of matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization imaging mass spectrometry as a powerful tool to study drug delivery and spatial tissue distribution in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. [Mol Cancer Ther] Abstract

miR-101-3p Reverses Gemcitabine Resistance by Inhibition of Ribonucleotide Reductase M1 in Pancreatic Cancer
The expression of ribonucleotide reductase M1 correlated to gemcitabine resistance in vitro and was higher in malignant patient pancreas tissue compared to non-malignant pancreas tissue. By microRNA expression profiling, researchers identified microRNA-101-3p as top-downregulated candidate. [Cancer Lett] Abstract

Profiling of cMET and HER Family Receptor Expression in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinomas and Corresponding Lymph Node Metastasis to Assess Relevant Pathways for Targeted Therapies: Looking at the Soil before Planting the Seed
The authors investigated 56 pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas and corresponding lymph node metastases for HER1 to HER4 and cMET expression by immunohistochemistry, as well as cMET gene copy numbers by chromogenic in situ hybridization. [Pancreas] Abstract

Resting Beta-Cells – a Functional Reserve?
The authors posit that beta-cells rest and that studies of this normal feature of beta-cells could lead to new approaches for potentially reactivating and preserving beta-cell mass in order to treat diabetes. [Diabetes Metab] Abstract

Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the pancreatic cell research field.

MabVax Therapeutics Receives FDA Authorization for Phase I Clinical Trial with 89Zr-HuMab-5B1 as PET Imaging Agent for Pancreatic Cancer
MabVax Therapeutics Holdings, Inc. announced receipt of notice from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorizing initiation of a Phase I clinical trial with ⁸⁹Zr-HuMab-5B1 as a new generation positron emission tomography scan cancer imaging agent in patients with pancreatic cancer. [MabVax Therapeutics Holdings, Inc.] Press Release

American Diabetes Association Announces Research Grant Award Recipients
The American Diabetes Association has awarded six scientists prestigious Pathway to Stop Diabetes grant awards. Each award comes with $1.625 million in grant funding over a five to seven year grant term, along with career support and resources so the scientists can focus their considerable talents on transformational research approaches to treat and stop diabetes. [The American Diabetes Association (PR Newswire Association LLC)] Press Release

From our sponsor:
Looking for ALDH⁺ cancer stem cells? Watch a video to see how ALDEFLUOR™ can help.

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)

Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the pancreatic cell community.

NEW Post-Doc Fellowship – Glucose Metabolism (Joslin Diabetes Center)

Research Associate – Cancer Pharmacology in Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma (University of Cambridge)

Post-Doc Fellowship – Computational Analysis Pancreas (Karolinska Institutet)

Post-Doc Researcher – Drug Discovery in Cancer/Diabetes (D. E. Shaw Research)

Post-Doc Fellowship – Diabetes Research (Sanford Research/University of South Dakota)

Faculty Position – Biomedical Metabolomics & Metabolism (University of Ottawa)

Visiting Scientist – Diabetes (Danish Diabetes Academy)

Post-Doc Researcher – Type 1 Diabetes (University of Turku)

Post-Doc Researcher – Functional Genomics of Obesity (Inserm)

MD/PhD Researcher – Biomedical Sciences (Hannover Medical School)

Recruit Top Talent: Reach more than 60,000 potential candidates by posting your organization’s career opportunities on the Connexon Creative Job Board at no cost.