Pancreatic Cell News Volume 8.49 | Dec 12 2017

TOP STORY

SUV420H2 Is an Epigenetic Regulator of Epithelial/Mesenchymal States in Pancreatic Cancer

Because large-scale cell identity shifts are often orchestrated on an epigenetic level, scientists screened for candidate epigenetic factors and identified the histone methyltransferase SUV420H2 as favoring the mesenchymal identity in pancreatic cancer cell lines. [J Cell Biol] Full Article | Press Release

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

DIABETES & PANCREATITIS

The p300 and CBP Transcriptional Coactivators Are Required for Beta Cell and Alpha Cell Proliferation

Mice lacking either p300 (EP300) or CBP (CREBBP) in islets developed glucose intolerance attributable to impaired insulin secretion, together with reduced alpha and beta cell area and islet insulin content. [Diabetes] Abstract

Diabetes as Risk Factor for Pancreatic Cancer: Hyperglycemia Promotes Epithelial-Mesenchymal-Transition and Stem Cell Properties in Pancreatic Ductal Epithelial Cells

The authors investigated whether hyperglycemia promotes epithelial-mesenchymal-transition and cancer stem cell-features in premalignant and malignant pancreatic ductal epithelial cells. [Cancer Lett] Abstract

LH-21 and Abn-CBD Improve β-Cell Function in Isolated Human and Mouse Islets through GPR55-Dependent and -Independent Signaling

Investigators examined the effects of Abn-CBD and LH-21 on human and mouse islet function, and islets from GPR55^-/- mice were used to determine signaling via GPR55. They demonstrated that Abn-CBD and LH-21 improve human and mouse islet β-cell function and viability. [Diabetes Obes Metab] Abstract

Structural Abnormalities in Islets from Very Young Children with Cystic Fibrosis May Contribute to Cystic Fibrosis-Related Diabetes

Cystic fibrosis-related diabetes pancreata exhibited greater islet injury with further reduction in islet density, decreased relative beta-cell number, and presence of amyloid deposits. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Liraglutide Regulates the Viability of Pancreatic α-Cells and Pancreatic β-Cells through cAMP-PKA Signal Pathway

Mouse pancreatic α-cell line, α-TC1-6, and mouse pancreatic β-cell line, β-TC-tet, were used to analyze the biological effects of liraglutide in different concentrations. Cell proliferation, cell apoptosis and cell secretion ability were detected in different groups. [Life Sci] Abstract

PANCREATIC CANCER

Implication of 4E-BP1 Protein Dephosphorylation and Accumulation in Pancreatic Cancer Cell Death Induced by Combined Gemcitabine and TRAIL

Combination studies showed that use of gemcitabine with the pro-apoptotic cytokine TRAIL can enhance the inhibition of survival and induction of apoptosis of pancreatic cancer cells. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

MicroRNA-195 Suppresses the Progression of Pancreatic Cancer by Targeting DCLK1

Researchers assessed the effects of miR-195 on inhibiting DCLK1 and clarified the regulating mechanism of miR-195-DCLK1 in pancreatic cancer (PC) cells. The expression level of DCLK1 and miR-195 showed an inverse correlation in PC tissues and cell lines. [Cell Physiol Biochem] Full Article

Study on Mechanism about Long Noncoding RNA MALAT1 Affecting Pancreatic Cancer by Regulating Hippo-YAP Signaling

By investigating the migration and invasion ability in pancreatic cancer, the authors probed into the lncRNA MALAT1 molecular mechanism on Hippo-YAP signaling. LncRNA MALAT1 presented an extremely high expression level in pancreatic cancer tissues and cells. [J Cell Physiol] Abstract

Reprogramming Pancreatic Stellate Cells via p53 Activation: A Putative Target for Pancreatic Cancer Therapy

Scientists demonstrated that activation of stromal p53 exerts anti-tumor effects in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). They showed that primary cancer-associated pancreatic stellate cells isolated from human PDAC express wild-type p53, which can be activated by the Mdm2 antagonist Nutlin-3a. [PLoS One] Full Article

Phenotypic Plasticity in the Pancreas: New Triggers, New Players

The authors focus on the latest findings uncovering phenotypic plasticity of different cell types in the pancreas, the molecular mechanisms behind such plasticity and how plasticity associated with pancreatic or non-pancreatic cells could be harnessed in the generation of new insulin-producing beta cells. [Curr Opin Cell Biol] Abstract

Cellular Models for Beta Cell Function and Diabetes Gene Therapy

Scientists discuss the history, development, functional characteristics and use of available clonal rodent beta-cell lines, as well as reflecting on recent advances in the generation of human derived beta-cell lines, their use in research studies, and their potential for cell-therapy of diabetes. [Acta Physiol (Oxf)] Abstract

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

$1.8 Million Cancer Moonshot Grant Advances Precision Medicine for Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer researcher Dr. Sunil Hingorani has won a three-year, $1.8 million grant from the federal Cancer Moonshot program, the signature initiative of former Vice President Joseph Biden. [Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center] Press Release

FDA Approves Sanofi’s Admelog^® (Insulin Lispro Injection)

FDA has approved Sanofi’s Admelog^®, the first follow-on insulin lispro to help people living with diabetes manage blood sugar levels at mealtime. [Sanofi] Press Release

Ozempic^® (Semaglutide) Approved in the US

Novo Nordisk announced that the FDA has approved Ozempic^®. Ozempic^® is indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycaemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. [Novo Nordisk] Press Release

Brexit ‘Breakthrough’ Raises Hope — and Questions

British science is expected to benefit from a deal that would allow EU nationals to remain in the country once it leaves the union in March 2019. [Nature News] Editorial

U.S. Science Groups Make Last-Minute Push to Influence Final Tax Deal

It wasn’t your typical graduate school experience. Eight graduate students, including doctoral students in anthropology and astrophysics at major U.S. universities, ended up in handcuffs after they refused to end a noisy protest outside the Washington, D.C., office of Speaker of the House of Representatives Paul Ryan. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NEW The London Stem Cell Network Symposium 2018
February 26, 2018
London, United Kingdom

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

NEW Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Pancreatic Cancer (Universitatsklinikum Ulm)

Research Technologist – Pancreatic Cell Biology (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

PhD Studentship – Pancreatic Cancer (CRUK Manchester Institute)

Postdoctoral Research Scientist – Type 2 Diabetes (Novo Nordisk)

Postdoctoral Fellowship (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center)

PhD Studentship – Pancreas Development and Stem Cells (Helmholtz Zentrum München)

Postdoctoral Positions – Pancreatic Cancer (MD Anderson Cancer Center)

Postdoctoral Position – Pathogenesis of Type 1 Diabetes (Helmholtz Zentrum München)

Postdoctoral Fellowship Positions – Pancreatic Cancer (Translational Genomics Research Institute)

Director – David M. Rubenstein Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center)

Scientist – Diabetes and Obesity (Helmholtz Zentrum München)

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.