Pancreatic Cell News Volume 8.35 | Sep 5 2017

TOP STORY

Pancreatic Beta Cell-Derived IP-10/CXCL10 Isletokine Mediates Early Loss of Graft Function in Islet Cell Transplantation

Investigators observed that islets release multiple inflammatory mediators in patients undergoing islet transplants within hours of infusion. The proinflammatory cytokine interferon gamma-induced protein 10 (IP-10/CXCL10) was among the highest released, and high levels correlated with poor islet transplant outcomes. [Diabetes] Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

DIABETES & PANCREATITIS

Atrial Natriuretic Peptide (ANP) Affects Stimulus-Secretion Coupling of Pancreatic β-Cells

Scientists evaluated the effects of ANP on β-cell function by the use of a β-cell specific knockout of the ANP receptor with guanylate cyclase activity (βGC-A-KO). ANP augmented insulin secretion at the threshold glucose concentration of 6 mM and decreased K_ATP single channel activity in β-cells of control mice but not of βGC-A-KO mice. [Diabetes] Abstract

The Prohormone VGF Regulates β Cell Function via Insulin Secretory Granule Biogenesis

Researchers demonstrated that VGF regulates secretory granule formation. VGF loss-of-function studies in both isolated islets and conditional knockout mice reveal a profound decrease in stimulus-coupled insulin secretion. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Adipose Stem Cells from Chronic Pancreatitis Patients Improve Mouse and Human Islet Survival and Function

Scientists determined whether cotransplantation of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) from chronic pancreatitis patients would protect islets after transplantation. ASC cotransplantation reduced macrophage infiltration, β-cell death, suppressed expression of TNF-α and Bcl-2 modifying factor, and upregulated expressions of insulin-like growth factor-1 and TNF receptor superfamily member 11b in islet grafts. [Stem Cell Res Ther] Full Article

PANCREATIC CANCER

A Novel Chemoradiation Targeting Stem and Nonstem Pancreatic Cancer Cells by Repurposing Disulfiram

The hypothesis that pancreatic cancer stem cells (PCSCs) can be effectively targeted by incorporating disulfiram (DSF)/copper (Cu) into the standard chemoradiation regimen consisting of 5-fluorouracil and fractionated radiation was investigated and found to be effective in vitro in targeting PCSCs, identified as either ALDH^bright, CD24⁺/CD44⁺/ESA⁺ or sphere-forming cells, as well as nonstem pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells. [Cancer Lett] Full Article

Yin Yang-1 Suppresses Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Cell Proliferation and Tumor Growth by Regulating SOX2OT-SOX2 Axis

Researchers found that overexpression of Yin Yang-1 suppressed proliferation and decreased the expression of long non-coding RNA SOX2OT and its potential target gene SOX2 in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells. [Cancer Lett] Abstract

ITGA1 Is a Pre-Malignant Biomarker that Promotes Therapy Resistance and Metastatic Potential in Pancreatic Cancer

Scientists discovered that integrin alpha 1 (ITGA1) is frequently upregulated in pancreatic cancers and associated precursor lesions. Expression of ITGA1-specific collagens within the pancreatic cancer microenvironment significantly correlated with indicators of poor patient prognosis, and depleting ITGA1 from pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells revealed that it is required for collagen-induced tumorigenic potential. [Sci Rep] Full Article

HNF1A/CASC2 Regulates Pancreatic Cancer Cell Proliferation through PTEN/Akt Signaling

Investigators demonstrated that lncRNA-CASC2 was specifically downregulated in pancreatic cancer (PC) tissues and cell lines, and a lower CASC2 expression in PC was related with a poorer prognosis. [J Cell Biochem] Abstract

Modulation of RAB5A Early Endosome Trafficking in Response to KRas Mediated Macropinocytic Fluxes in Pancreatic Cancer Cells

The authors explored the fate of early endosomal trafficking under the control of KRas expression in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Mutant KRAS promoted endosomal degradation in PDAC cell lines, which was impaired by KRAS silencing. KRAS silencing activated RAB5A upregulation and drove PDAC subtype-dependent modulation of endosome trafficking. [Biochem Biophys Res Commun] Abstract

Advances in Polymeric Islet Cell Encapsulation Technologies to Limit the Foreign Body Response and Provide Immunoisolation

Researchers discuss the most recent developments in immunoisolation of transplanted cells using advanced polymeric biomaterials, utilizing macroscale to nanoscale approaches, to limit aberrant immune responses. [Curr Opin Pharmacol] Abstract

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

ERYTECH to Present Full Results for Phase IIb Trial of Eryaspase in Pancreatic Cancer

ERYTECH Pharma announced that it will present the full data from its Phase IIb trial evaluating eryaspase for the treatment of metastatic pancreatic cancer. [Press release from ERYTECH Pharma discussing research to be presented at the 2017 European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Annual Meeting, Madrid] Press Release

amcure Receives Additional €1.75M BMBF Research Grant

amcure announced the approval of a new grant by the German Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). The grant of approximately €1.75 million covers a portion of the investment needed to advance amcure’s lead candidate, AMC303, which is currently in clinical development. [amcure GmbH] Press Release

SBP Scientist Receives DoD Award to Identify New and Efficacious Treatments for Pancreatic Cancer

Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute (SBP) announced that the Department of Defense (DoD) has awarded Cosimo Commisso, Ph.D., a Career Development Award to identify new and efficacious treatments for pancreatic cancer. The three-year grant is intended to address the critical gap in effective treatments for the disease, which is disproportionately elevated in members of the military. [Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute (Newswise, Inc)] Press Release

Dr. Peter Glazer Receives Prestigious Outstanding Investigator Award for Cancer Research

The National Cancer Institute has named Peter M. Glazer, M.D., Ph.D., as a recipient of its Outstanding Investigator Award. Glazer is the Robert E. Hunter Professor of Therapeutic Radiology, professor of genetics and chairman of the department of Therapeutic Radiology at Yale School of Medicine and Yale Cancer Center. [Yale School of Medicine] Press Release

Ligand Announces Top-Line Results from Phase II Study of LGD-6972 in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated announced positive top-line results from a Phase II clinical study evaluating the efficacy and safety of LGD-6972, as an adjunct to diet and exercise, in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus inadequately controlled on metformin monotherapy. [Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated] Press Release

Budget Battle Looms for US Science Programs

Scientists in the United States are nervously watching from the sidelines as the annual budget skirmish heats up in Congress. Competing spending priorities in the House of Representative and Senate could push funding negotiations into December. [Nature News] Editorial

Young Immigrant Scientists Anxiously Await Trump’s DACA Decision

A 27-year-old is one of an untold number of scientists and engineers who are undocumented immigrants, and have been able to get jobs and degrees thanks to a federal initiative that President Donald Trump has threatened to end. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Brain Researchers in Uproar over NIH Clinical-Trials Policy

Scientists studying human behavior and cognitive brain function are up in arms over a plan by the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) to classify most studies involving human participants as clinical trials. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW Keystone Symposia: Tumor Metabolism
January 21-25, 2018
Snowbird, Utah, United States

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

NEW Postdoctoral Research Fellow – RNA Metabolism in Pancreatic Cancer (Moffitt Cancer Center)

NEW Postdoctoral Research Position – Pancreatitis and Pancreatic Cancer (Stanford University)

Postdoctoral Training Fellow – Systems and Precision Cancer Medicine (Institute of Cancer Research)

Faculty Position – Cancer Biology (The University of Texas Southwestern)

Postdoctoral Research Scientist – Tumor Environment (Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute)

Postdoctoral Position – Islet Biology (Sanofi)

Postdoctoral Scientist – hPSC Differentiation into Beta Cells (Helmholtz Zentrum München)

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

Scientist – Diabetes and Obesity (Helmholtz Zentrum München)

Assistant Investigator – Cancer Genetics, Epigenetics and Biomarkers (Baylor Research Institute)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Cancer Genetics, Epigenetics and Biomarkers (Baylor Research Institute)

Research Assistant – Cancer Genetics, Epigenetics and Biomarkers (Baylor Research Institute)

Postdoctoral Scholar – Pancreatic and Lung Cancer Research (University of California, San Francisco)

Postdoctoral Position – Immunology (Harvard Medical School)

Faculty Positions – Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism (University of Pittsburgh)

Postdoctoral Research Position – Pancreatic Cancer Metabolism (Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer)

Postdoctoral Research Scientist – Mechanisms of Obesity and Diabetes (NYU Langone Medical Center)

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

Have we missed an important article or publication in Pancreatic Cell News? Click here to submit!

Comments or suggestions? Submit your feedback here.