Pancreatic Cell News 7.27 July 12, 2016 | |
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TOP STORYNew Approach for Regenerative Therapy The marker Flattop subdivides the insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas into those that maintain glucose metabolism and into immature cells that divide more frequently and adapt to metabolic changes. This could provide a starting point for regenerative diabetes therapies, as scientists report. [Press release from the Helmholtz Zentrum München discussing online prepublication in Nature] Press Release | Abstract | |
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PUBLICATIONS(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)DIABETES & PANCREATITISHuman Islets Contain Four Distinct Subtypes of β Cells Investigators identified four antigenically distinct subtypes of human β cells, which they refer to as β1–4, and which are distinguished by differential expression of ST8SIA1 and CD9. These subpopulations were always present in normal adult islets and had diverse gene expression profiles and distinct basal and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. [Nat Commun] Full Article Nardilysin is Required for Maintaining Pancreatic β-Cell Function Researchers demonstrated that nardilysin (N-arginine dibasic convertase; Nrd1 and NRDc) critically regulates β-cell function through MafA. Nrd1-/- mice showed glucose intolerance and severely decreased glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. [Diabetes] Abstract Islet Pericytes Are Required for Beta-Cell Maturity The authors focused on pericytes’ contribution to beta-cell function. To this end, they employed a transgenic mouse system that allows Diphtheria Toxin -based depletion of pericytes. Their results indicated that islets depleted of their pericytes have reduced insulin content and expression. [Diabetes] Abstract Intra-islet and gut-islet crosstalk are critical in orchestrating basal and postprandial metabolism. The aim of this study was to identify regulatory proteins and receptors underlying somatostatin secretion though the use of transcriptomic comparison of purified murine alpha, beta and delta cells. [Diabetologia] Full Article Human islets from type 2 diabetic donors are reportedly 80% deficient in PAK1. PAK1 is implicated in beta cell function and maintenance of beta cell mass. Researchers questioned the mechanism(s) by which PAK1 deficiency potentially contributes to increased susceptibility to type 2 diabetes. [Diabetologia] Abstract Definition of a Skp2-c-Myc Pathway to Expand Human Beta-Cells Scientists hypothesized that the proliferative response to mitogens of human β-cells from type 2 diabetes (T2D) donors is reduced, and that this might contribute to the development and progression of T2D. They demonstrated that the proliferative response of human β-cells from T2D donors in response to cdk6 and cyclin D3 is indeed dramatically impaired. [Sci Rep] Full Article The authors hypothesized that bilirubin, an antioxidant, acts to suppress the innate immune response to islet allografts through two mechanisms: 1) by suppressing graft release of damage associated molecular patterns and inflammatory cytokines, and 2) by producing a tolerogenic phenotype in antigen presenting cells. [Cell Transplant] Full Article PANCREATIC CANCERResearchers developed a panel of new physiological models for study of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), expanding surgical PDAC tumor samples in culture using short-term culture and conditional reprogramming with the Rho kinase inhibitor Y-27632, and creating matched patient-derived xenografts. These were evaluated for sensitivity to a large panel of clinical agents, and promising leads further evaluated mechanistically. [Clin Cancer Res] Abstract Investigators described that human pancreatic cancer cells acquire drug resistance by a novel mechanism in which they expel and remove chemotherapeutic drugs from the microenvironment via microvesicles. [Oncotarget] Full Article Pancreatic cancer cells secreted high levels of adrenomedullin (ADM), and CD11b+ myelomonocytic cells expressed all components of ADM receptors, including GPR182, CRLR, RAMP2 and RAMP3. ADM enhanced the migration and invasion of myelomonocytic cells through activation of the MAPK, PI3K/Akt and eNOS signaling pathways, as well as the expression and activity of MMP-2. [Oncotarget] Full Article | |
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REVIEWSType 2 Diabetes: Genetic Data Sharing to Advance Complex Disease Research To hasten clinical translation of genetic discoveries, new paradigms are also required to aid specialized investigation of nascent hypotheses. The authors argue for an integrated type 2 diabetes mellitus knowledgebase, designed for a worldwide community to access aggregated large-scale genetic data sets, as one paradigm to catalyze convergence of these efforts. [Nat Rev Genet] Abstract Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the pancreatic cell research field.
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INDUSTRY NEWSPharmaCyte Biotech Uses “Artificial Liver” to Treat Advanced Pancreatic Cancer PharmaCyte Biotech’s signature live-cell encapsulation technology, Cell-in-a-Box®, is being used in treatments for both cancer and diabetes. For diabetes, the company’s therapy, which is made up of pinhead-sized, porous capsules filled with insulin producing cells, will create an “artificial pancreas” for type 1 diabetics and insulin-dependent type 2 diabetics that no longer produce their own insulin. [PharmaCyte Biotech] Press Release Sernova Corp. announced it has entered into a research funding agreement with JDRF. The purpose of the funding is to advance human clinical trials of Sernova’s CPS technologies for treatment of hypoglycemia unawareness patients with severe type 1 diabetes. [Sernova Corp.] Press Release Trovagene, Inc. announced the initiation of a multi-phased collaborative research program with the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center utilizing the Trovera™ KRAS ctDNA liquid biopsy test. [Trovagene, Inc.] Press Release Defymed Receives Support from JDRF to Fight Type 1 Diabetes Defymed announced a partnership with JDRF. This new investment gives Defymed the opportunity to advance its pre-clinical studies in order to demonstrate the MAILPAN® immunoprotection properties, safety and function. [Defymed] Press Release | |
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POLICY NEWSGlobal Initiative Seeks 1,000 New Cancer Models An international collaboration of cancer-research heavy-weights aims to grow 1,000 new cell lines for scientists to study — and that could be just the beginning. The Human Cancer Models Initiative announced its pilot project, and intends to complete the initial 1,000 models within 3 years. [Nature News] Editorial | Press Release Policy Implications of Aging in the NIH-Funded Workforce Because of national interest in the “graying” of the biomedical workforce, the authors examine aging and funding within the pool of NIH-funded investigators and applicants, particularly in the growing field of stem cell research. They provide evidence of a maturing and more competitive stem cell workforce and discuss policy implications. [Cell Stem Cell] Editorial FDA Should Stand Firm on Stem-Cell Treatments You may have heard that regulators in the United States are too strict when it comes to stem-cell treatments. The assumption in these accusations — that these treatments work — is at the heart of the problem. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is right to insist that only proper clinical trials can make that case. [Nature News] Editorial House Panel Would Give NIH a 4% Raise to $33 Billion The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is slated to receive a $1.25 billion increase, to $33.3 billion, in a proposed spending measure released by a House of Representatives spending panel. That 4% boost is good news for an agency that has been flat funded for a decade, although it falls short of a 6% raise approved by a Senate panel. [Nature News] Editorial | Press Release
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EVENTSNEW 4th International Oncology Conference Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the pancreatic cell community.
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JOB OPPORTUNITIESNEW Research Program Manager – Pancreatic Cancer (University of Cambridge) NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Pancreatic Cancer Biology (New York University School of Medicine) Principal Investigator – Tenure Track Position (National Institutes of Health) Postdoctoral Fellowship – Various Projects (University of Pittsburgh) Research Fellow – Pancreatic β-Cell Biology and Regeneration (Dresden University of Technology) Senior Lecturer – Pancreatic Cancer (Queen Mary University of London) Postdoctoral Fellow – Pancreatic Cancer Metabolism (Thomas Jefferson University) Postdoctoral Fellows – Various Positions (Oregon Health & Science University) Postdoctoral Fellow – Quantitative Hepato-Pancreatic MR Imaging (Inserm) Recruit Top Talent: Reach potential candidates by posting your organization’s career opportunities on the Connexon Creative Job Board at no cost.
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Home Pancreatic Cell News Volume 7.27 | Jul 12 2016