Pancreatic Cell News Volume 8.25 | Jun 27 2017

TOP STORY

Pharmacological Rescue of Ductal CFTR Rescue Pancreatic and Salivary Glands Acinar Cells and Tissue Function in Mouse Models of Autoimmune Diseases

Investigators treated mouse models with the CFTR corrector C18 and the potentiator VX770. Glandular, ductal and acinar cells damage, infiltration of immune cells, and function were measured in vivo and in isolated duct/acini. [Gastroenterology] Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

DIABETES & PANCREATITIS

SOX2 Regulates Acinar Cell Development in the Salivary Gland

Despite SOX2 being expressed by progenitors that give rise to both acinar and duct cells, genetic ablation of SOX2 results in a failure to establish acini but not ducts. The authors showed that SOX2 targets acinar specific genes and is essential for the survival of acinar but not ductal cells. [Elife] Full Article

Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3β Ablation Limits Pancreatitis Induced Acinar-to-Ductal Metaplasia

Investigators elucidated the role and related mechanism of glycogen synthase kinase-3beta in acinar-to-ductal metaplasia development using in vitro 3D cultures and genetically engineered mouse models. [J Pathol] Abstract

Adipose Stem Cell Therapy Mitigates Chronic Pancreatitis via Differentiation into Acinar-Like Cells in Mice

Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) co-cultured with acinar cells in a transwell system differentiated into amylase⁺ cells with increased expression of acinar cell-specific genes including amylase and chymoB1. Furthermore, culture of acinar or pancreatic stellate cell lines in ASC-conditioned medium attenuated ethanol and cerulein-induced pro-inflammatory cytokine production in vitro. [Mol Ther] Abstract

Distinct Levels of Reactive Oxygen Species Coordinate Metabolic Activity with Beta-Cell Mass Plasticity

Researchers showed that reactive oxygen species (ROS) regulated dose-dependently beta-cell proliferation in vivo and in vitro. In particular, reducing ROS levels in beta-cells blocked their proliferation in response to nutrients. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Co-Localization of Acinar Markers and Insulin in Pancreatic Cells of Subjects with Type 2 Diabetes

To search for clues suggesting that beta cells may generate by transdifferentiation in humans, the authors assessed the presence of cells double positive for exocrine and endocrine markers in the pancreas of non-diabetic individuals and patients with type 2 diabetes. [PLoS One] Full Article

Neuropeptide Y Expression Marks Partially Differentiated β Cells in Mice and Humans

The authors addressed the potential contribution of neuropeptide Y (NPY) in pancreatic β cell development and maturation. They showed that NPY expression is restricted from the progenitor populations during pancreatic development and marks functionally immature β cells in fetal and neonatal mice and humans. [JCI Insight] Full Article

PANCREATIC CANCER

miR-509-5p and miR-1243 Increase the Sensitivity to Gemcitabine by Inhibiting Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Pancreatic Cancer

Investigators identified miR-509-5p and miR-1243 as epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-suppressive miRNAs, although the mechanisms for EMT-suppression induced by these miRNAs have yet to be clarified. [Sci Rep] Full Article

The Overexpression of CPR and P450 3A4 in Pancreatic Cancer Cells Changes the Metabolic Profile and Increases the Cytotoxicity and Pro-Apoptotic Activity of Acridine Antitumor Agent, C-1748

Scientists examined the cellular response of pancreatic cancer cell lines: Panc-1, MiaPaCa-2, BxPC-3 and AsPC-1, differing in expression levels of commonly mutated genes for this cancer type, to C-1748 treatment and the role of P450 3A4 isoenzyme and cytochrome P450 reductase (CPR) in the modulation of this response. [Biochem Pharmacol] Abstract

Unique Cellular Interactions between Pancreatic Cancer Cells and the Omentum

Researchers prepared tissue explants from human omental fat, and used conditioned medium from the explants for various in vitro and in vivo experiments designed to evaluate pancreatic cancer development, growth, and survival. [PLoS One] Full Article

Overcoming the Resistance of Pancreatic Cancer to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors

Immunotherapy has become a new modality of cancer treatment, but has had limited success in treating PDAC. A combination approach to immunotherapy, using both immune checkpoint inhibitors and immune activating agonists, is needed, as PDAC does not respond to single-agent checkpoint inhibitors. [J Surg Oncol] Abstract

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

Propagenix Inc. Lands Three Research Grants to Advance Cell Therapy Technology for Type I Diabetes and Lung Disease

Propagenix Inc. has been awarded three research grants totaling $950,000 in direct costs. Two of these grant awards are directed towards the use the company’s cell expansion technology to produce accessory epithelial cell cultures known to enhance the survival and function of pancreatic islets upon implantation in vivo. [Propagenix Inc. (PR Newswire Association LLC.)] Press Release

The Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy Trains the Next Generation of Scientific Leaders in Cancer Immunotherapy

The Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy recently announced six awards to support talented young researchers in cancer immunotherapy. The three programs will provide up to $3.46 million for 2017 awardees, as well as mentorship and access to resources, to help these young researchers advance the field and translate their discoveries to benefit cancer patients. [The Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy] Press Release

Scientists in Limbo as US Supreme Court Allows Modified Travel Ban

The US Supreme Court has reinstated a limited version of President Donald Trump’s temporary order banning travelers from six Muslim-majority countries from entering the United States. The court will hear a legal challenge to the ban in October. The court’s decision casts doubt on the fate of students and scientists from these countries who hope to study or work in the United States. [Nature News] Editorial

US Court Grants Elsevier Millions in Damages from Sci-Hub

One of the world’s largest science publishers, Elsevier, won a default legal judgement against websites that provide illicit access to tens of millions of research papers and books. A New York district court awarded Elsevier US$15 million in damages for copyright infringement by Sci-Hub, the Library of Genesis project and related sites. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW 3^rd CRI-CIMT-EATI-AACR International Cancer Immunotherapy Conference
September 6-9, 2017
Mainz/Frankfurt, Germany

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

NEW Group Leader – Cancer Research (University of Lille)

Postdoctoral Positions – Cancer Research (University of Minnesota)

Postdoctoral Scholarship – Diabetes Research (Lund University)

Postdoctoral Position – Pancreatic Cell Research (Inserm)

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

PhD Position – Insulin Storage (Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences)

PhD Position – Health/Biomedical Sciences (University of Auckland)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Diabetes UK (Diabetes UK)

PhD Studentship – Diabetes UK (Diabetes UK)

Assistant/Associate Professor – Type 1 Diabetes Clinical and Basic Science (University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus)

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