Pancreatic Cell News Volume 8.04 | Jan 31 2017

TOP STORY

Rat-Grown Mouse Pancreases Help Reverse Diabetes in Mice

Growing organs from one species in the body of another may one day relieve transplant shortages. Researchers showed that islets from rat-grown mouse pancreases can reverse disease when transplanted into diabetic mice. [Press release from Stanford Medicine discussing online prepublication in Nature] Press Release | Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

DIABETES & PANCREATITIS

Coupling of Insulin Secretion and Display of a Granule-Resident Zinc Transporter ZnT8 on the Surface of Pancreatic Beta-Cells

Scientists report specific antibody binding to the extracellular surface of rat insulinoma INS-1E cells that stably expressed a tagged human zinc transporter ZnT8. [J Biol Chem] Full Article

PDE5 Inhibitor Tadalafil and Hydroxychloroquine Co-Treatment Provides Synergistic Protection against Type 2 Diabetes and Myocardial Infarction in Mice

Investigators hypothesized that a combination of tadalafil and hydroxychloroquine may induce synergistic cardioprotection in diabetes. They also investigated the role of insulin-Akt-mTOR signaling, which regulates protein synthesis and cell survival. [J Pharmacol Exp Ther] Full Article

Prolonged Activation of the Htr2b Serotonin Receptor Impairs Glucose Stimulated Insulin Secretion and Mitochondrial Function in MIN6 Cells

Scientists determined the expression profile of 5 hydroxytryptamine (5HT) receptors in murine MIN6 β-cells and examined the effects of pharmacological activation of 5HT receptor Htr2b on glucose stimulated insulin secretion and mitochondrial function. [PLoS One] Full Article

PANCREATIC CANCER

The MLL1-H3K4me3 Axis-Mediated PD-L1 Expression and Pancreatic Cancer Immune Evasion

Investigators elucidated the underlying mechanism of PD-L1 expression regulation in the context of pancreatic cancer immune evasion. [J Natl Cancer Inst] Abstract

MIR506 Induces Autophagy-Related Cell Death in Pancreatic Cancer Cells by Targeting the STAT3 Pathway

The authors hypothesized that MIR506 exerted a tumor suppression function in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) by inducing autophagy-related cell death. Their results provided evidence that downregulation of MIR506 expression was associated with disease progression in human PDAC. [Autophagy] Abstract

Matrix-Regulated Integrin α_vβ₅ Maintains α₅β₁-Dependent Desmoplastic Traits Prognostic of Neoplastic Recurrence

Using 3D culture of normal pancreatic versus pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma-associated human fibroblasts, investigators identified a cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF)/self-sustaining extracellular matrix phenotype that correlates with improved patient outcomes, and that includes CAFs enriched in plasma membrane-localized, active α₅β₁-integrin. [Elife] Full Article

Lysosomal Dysfunction and Autophagy Blockade Contribute to IMB-6G-Induced Apoptosis in Pancreatic Cancer Cells

Scientists showed that IMB-6G inhibits the growth of MiaPaCa-2 and HupT-3 pancreatic cancer cells and induces caspase-mediated apoptosis, which is correlated with an accumulation of autophagic vacuoles. [Sci Rep] Full Article

A Novel HDAC Inhibitor, CG200745, Inhibits Pancreatic Cancer Cell Growth and Overcomes Gemcitabine Resistance

Investigators evaluated the antitumor effect of a novel histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor, CG200745, combined with gemcitabine/erlotinib on pancreatic cancer cells and gemcitabine-resistant pancreatic cancer cells. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Ellagic Acid Inhibits the Proliferation of Human Pancreatic Carcinoma PANC-1 Cells In Vitro and In Vivo

The authors investigated the effect of ellagic aicd (EA) on human pancreatic carcinoma PANC-1 cells both in vitro and in vivo; and defined the associated molecular mechanisms. They found that EA significantly inhibited cell growth, cell repairing activity, and cell migration and invasion in a dose-dependent manner. [Oncotarget] Full Article

Regulation of Pancreatic β-Cell Function and Mass Dynamics by Prostaglandin Signaling

The authors discuss the roles of prostaglandins (PGs), particularly PGE2 and PGI2, PG receptors, and downstream signaling events that alter β-cell function and regulation of β-cell mass. [J Cell Commun Signal] Abstract

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Diabetes or Its Rapid Deterioration Can Be an Early Warning Sign for Pancreatic Cancer

According to research, patients and their doctors should be aware that the onset of diabetes, or a rapid deterioration in existing diabetes that requires more aggressive treatment, could be a sign of early, hidden pancreatic cancer. An analysis linking nearly a million patients with type 2 diabetes in Lombardy and Belgium with recorded cases of pancreatic cancer showed that 50% of all pancreatic cancers cases in the two regions were diagnosed within one year of patients being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and being given their first prescription to control it. [European Cancer Organization discussing research presented at European Cancer Congress (ECCO) 2017, Amsterdam] Press Release

Tempus and University of Michigan Announce Pancreatic Cancer Collaboration

Tempus and the University of Michigan are partnering to help researchers and physicians to identify customized treatment opportunities for pancreatic cancer patients. As part of the new collaboration, Tempus will provide genomic and transcriptomic sequencing and analysis for pancreatic cancer patients being treated at the University of Michigan. [Tempus] Press Release

Novo Nordisk Enters Collaboration with University of Oxford on Type 2 Diabetes and Invests GBP 115M in New Research Center

University of Oxford and Novo Nordisk announced a research collaboration focused on type 2 diabetes. The partnership will enable scientists from Novo Nordisk and University of Oxford to collaborate to discover innovative approaches for treating type 2 diabetes. As part of the collaboration, Novo Nordisk is also investing in a new research center on the premises of the University of Oxford. [Novo Nordisk A/S] Press Release

Trump Agenda Threatens US Legacy of Science Diplomacy

A newly minted leader with no experience governing at home or establishing policy abroad now oversees the United States’ vast diplomatic enterprise. US President Donald Trump has a deep bench of scientific and technical expertise to tap across multiple government agencies — but it is not clear that he will use it. [Nature News] Editorial

Proposed U.S. Biotech Rules Raise Industry Hopes and Anxieties

Makers of genetically engineered products have long been on the lookout for changes in U.S. regulations. The system that divvies up the safety review of these products between the Food and Drug Administration, Environmental Protection Agency, and U.S. Department of Agriculture is in the middle of a years-long overhaul, in part to accommodate modern gene-editing technologies such as CRISPR. And a set of new proposals released last week offers hints about what those agencies still hope to change. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NEW Metabolism in Time and Space: Emerging Links to Cellular and Developmental Programs
May 11-13, 2017
Heidelberg, Germany

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NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Islet Function/Regeneration (Toronto General Research Institute)

Senior Scientist – Pancreatic Cell Research (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Pancreatic Beta Cell Biology and Regeneration (Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai)

Postdoctoral Associate – Pancreatic Cancer (University of Miami)

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

Postdoctoral Fellow – Oncogenic Signaling Pathways of Colorectal/Pancreatic Cancer (German Cancer Research Center)

Postdoctoral Position – Pancreatic Cancer (University of Liege)

Scientist – Insulin Secretion (Helmholtz Association)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Genome Regulation and Diabetes (August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute)

Principle Scientist – Translational Development (Celgene Corporation)

Assistant Professor – Molecular Therapeutics (Dartmouth College/Geisel School of Medicine)

Vice President – Pancreatic Cancer Disease Lead (Celgene Corporation)

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