Pancreatic Cell News Volume 7.20 | May 24 2016

Antiviral Activity of Oroxylin A against Coxsackievirus B3 Alleviates Virus-Induced Acute Pancreatic Damage in Mice
To investigate the in vivo antiviral activity of oroxylin A, researchers intraperitoneally inoculated Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) into 4-week-old BALB/c mice. Body weights and blood glucose levels of the mice were decreased after CVB3 infection, and these changes were attenuated by the administration of oroxylin A. [PLoS One] Full Article

Caerulein-Induced Pancreatitis Augments the Expression and Phosphorylation of Collapsin Response Mediator Protein 4
Acute and chronic pancreatitis mice models were developed by periodic injection of caerulein. The expression levels of collapsin response mediator protein 4 and its phosphorylation were examined. [J Hepatobiliary Pancreat Sci] Abstract

Extracellular ATP Protects Pancreatic Duct Epithelial Cells from Alcohol-Induced Damage through P2Y_{1 Receptor-cAMP Signal Pathway}
Using pancreatic duct epithelial cells, researchers found that a micromolar range of adenosine-5′-triphosphate (ATP) reverses all intracellular toxicity mechanisms triggered by exceptionally high doses of ethanol and, thus, improves cell viability dramatically. [Cell Biol Toxicol] Abstract

PANCREATIC CANCER

Administration of Gemcitabine after Pancreatic Tumor Resection in Mice Induces an Anti-Tumor Immune Response Mediated by Natural Killer Cells
After electroporation of oncogenic plasmids, mice developed a single pancreatic tumor nodule with histopathological features of human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Pancreatic tumors that expressed myrAkt2 (the active form of Akt2) infiltrated the surrounding pancreatic tissue and neurons and became widely metastatic, reflecting the aggressive clinical features of PDAC in patients. [Gastroenterology] Abstract

IGF2BP3 Modulates the Interaction of Invasion-Associated Transcripts with RISC
Scientists interrogated the Insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA binding protein 3 (IGF2BP3) interaction network in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells. Using a combination of genome-wide approaches, they identified 164 direct mRNA targets of IGF2BP3. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract | Press Release

Arsenic Trioxide Plus PX-478 Achieves Effective Treatment in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
Researchers showed that PX-478 (hypoxia-inducible factor-1 inhibitor) robustly strengthened the anti-growth and pro-apoptosis effect of arsenic trioxide (ATO) on Panc-1 and BxPC-3 pancreatic cancer cells in vitro. Meanwhile, in vivo mouse xenograft models also showed the synergistic effect of ATO plus PX-478 compared with any single agent. [Cancer Lett] Abstract

Penfluridol Suppresses Pancreatic Tumor Growth by Autophagy-Mediated Apoptosis
Investigators evaluated the effect of penfluridol against pancreatic cancer. Penfluridol treatment induced apoptosis and inhibited the growth of Panc-1, BxPC-3 and AsPC-1, pancreatic cancer cells with IC₅₀ ranging between 6-7 μM after 24 hours of treatment. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Downregulation of STAT3/NF-κB Potentiates Gemcitabine Activity in Pancreatic Cancer Cells
Scientist hypothesized that Nexrutine^® (Nx)-mediated inhibition of survival molecules like STAT3 and NF-κB in pancreatic cancer cells will improve the efficacy of the conventional chemotherapeutic agent, gemcitabine (GEM). Therefore, they explored the utility of Nx, one of its active constituents berberine and its derivatives, to enhance the effects of GEM. [Mol Carcinog] Abstract

Surgical Approaches to Chronic Pancreatitis: Indications and Imaging Findings
Reviewers explore surgical indications as well as pre-operative and post-operative imaging findings associated with surgical options that are typically performed for chronic pancreatitis patients. [Abdom Radiol (NY)] Abstract

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

From our sponsor:
Want to learn more about ALDH in breast cancer treatment response? Listen to the podcast.

U.S. FDA Expands Indication of INVOKAMET^® (Canagliflozin/Metformin HCl) to Include First-Line Treatment of Adults with Type 2 Diabetes
Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved INVOKAMET^®, a fixed-dose combination therapy of INVOKANA^® (canagliflozin) and metformin hydrochloride, for first-line treatment of adults with type 2 diabetes. [Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.] Press Release

Gordon C. Weir, MD, Named American Diabetes Association’s 2016 Albert Renold Award Recipient
Gordon C. Weir, MD, of Joslin Diabetes Center, has been selected to receive the American Diabetes Association’s 2016 Albert Renold Award. This award recognizes an individual whose career is distinguished by outstanding achievements in the training and mentorship of diabetes research scientists and in the facilitation of diabetes research. [American Diabetes Association^®] Press Release

US Law Could Increase Postdoc Pay — and Shake Up Research System
The new rule, finalized by the US Department of Labor, will make overtime pay mandatory for many postdoctoral researchers who make less than $47,476 per year. Overtime, which is paid at 1.5 times the normal hourly wage, kicks in once workers exceed 40 hours on the job in one week. [Nature News] Editorial

National Institutes of Health (United States)

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 Research Associate – Pancreatic Cancer Pharmacology (University of Cambridge)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Quantitative Hepato-Pancreatic MR Imaging (Inserm)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Diabetes Mellitus and Metabolic Syndrome (Northwestern University)

Associate Senior Lecturer – Medical Cell Biology or Physiology (Uppsala University)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Type 2 Diabetes and Insulin Resistance (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology)

PhD Studentship – Type 2 Diabetes and Insulin Resistance (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology)

Postdoctoral Fellow(s) – Pancreatic Islet Biology (Vanderbilt University Medical Center)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Somatic Stem Cell Biology of Liver/Pancreas (The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Pancreas Cancer (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (University of North Dakota)

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