Pancreatic Cell News Volume 9.08 | Feb 27 2018

TOP STORY

Distribution and Density of Melatonin Receptors in Human Main Pancreatic Islet Cell Types

Investigators analyzed in detail the distribution and density of melatonin receptors on the main islet cell types in human pancreatic tissue obtained from non-diabetic and type 2 diabetic patients. In type 2 diabetic islets, MT1 and MT2 receptor density was increased in δ-cells compared to normoglycemic controls. [J Pineal Res] Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

DIABETES & PANCREATITIS

Regenerative Proliferation of Differentiated Cells by mTORC1‐Dependent Paligenosis

Researchers showed that differentiated cells in diverse organs become proliferative via a shared program. Metaplasia‐inducing injury caused both gastric chief and pancreatic acinar cells to decrease mTORC1 activity and massively upregulate lysosomes/autophagosomes; then increase damage associated metaplastic genes such as Sox9; and finally reactivate mTORC1 and re‐enter the cell cycle. [EMBO J] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

P2RY1/ALK3-Expressing Cells within the Adult Human Exocrine Pancreas Are BMP-7 Expandable and Exhibit Progenitor-Like Characteristics

Investigators showed that bone morphogenetic protein 7 (BMP-7) acts on extrainsular cells expressing pancreatic duodenal homeobox 1 (PDX1) and the BMP receptor activin-like kinase 3 (ALK3/BMPR1A). In vitro lineage tracing indicated that ALK3⁺ cell populations are multipotent. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Heterogeneity of SOX9 and HNF1β in Pancreatic Ducts Is Dynamic

Using immunofluorescence and flow cytometry, scientists showed heterogeneous expression of both HNF1β and SOX9 in adult human and murine ductal epithelium. Purified pancreatic duct cells formed organoid structures in 3D culture, and heterogeneity of expression of Hnf1β and Sox9 was maintained even after passaging. [Stem Cell Reports] Full Article

Long-Term Correction of Diabetes in Mice by In Vivo Reprogramming of Pancreatic Ducts

The authors report in vivo reprogramming of pancreatic ductal cells through intra-ductal delivery of an adenoviral vector expressing the transcription factors Pdx1, Neurog3 and Mafa. Induced β-like cells were mono-hormonal, expressed genes essential for β-cell function and corrected hyperglycemia in both chemically and genetically induced diabetes models. [Mol Ther] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

PANCREATIC CANCER

Polymer-Mediated Inhibition of Pro-Invasive Nucleic Acid DAMPs and Microvesicles Limits Pancreatic Cancer Metastasis

Scientists explored the use of a nucleic acid binding polymer, the 3^rd generation polyamidoamine dendrimer (PAMAM-G3), as an anti-metastatic agent. They showed that PAMAM-G3 not only inhibits nucleic acid-mediated activation of toll-like receptors and invasion of pancreatic cancer tumor cells in vitro, but also can directly bind extracellular microvesicles to neutralize their pro-invasive effects as well. [Mol Ther] Abstract

miR-1266 Contributes to Pancreatic Cancer Progression and Chemoresistance by the STAT3 and NF-κB Signaling Pathways

The authors report that miR-1266 was dramatically elevated and correlated with poor survival and chemotherapy response in pancreatic cancer patients. Upregulation of miR-1266 enhanced the chemoresistance of pancreatic cancer cells to gemcitabine in vitro and in vivo; conversely, inhibition of miR-1266 yielded the opposite effect. [Mol Ther Nucleic Acids] Full Article

TCF7L2 Positively Regulates Aerobic Glycolysis via the EGLN2/HIF-1α Axis and Indicates Prognosis in Pancreatic Cancer

Researchers investigated the clinicopathological significance of transcription factor 7-like 2 (TCF7L2) in pancreatic cancer. Their in vitro studies demonstrated that TCF7L2 positively regulated aerobic glycolysis by suppressing Egl-9 family hypoxia inducible factor 2 (EGLN2), leading to upregulation of hypoxia inducible factor 1 alpha subunit (HIF-1α). [Cell Death Dis] Abstract

MUC13 Contributes to Rewiring of Glucose Metabolism in Pancreatic Cancer

Scientists investigated a novel, MUC13-mediated molecular mechanism responsible for higher glucose metabolism in pancreatic tumors. Their results demonstrated that MUC13 expression leads to the activation/nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 and phosphorylation of IκB, which in turn upregulates the expression of important proteins that are involved in glucose metabolism. [Oncogenesis] Full Article

Insulin/IGF-Driven Cancer Cell-Stroma Crosstalk as a Novel Therapeutic Target in Pancreatic Cancer

The authors highlight the stroma-derived insulin-like growth factor (IGF) signaling and IGF-binding proteins as potential novel therapeutic targets in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. [Mol Cancer] Full Article

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

PharmaCyte Announces Successful Completion of 6-Month Stability Study on Encapsulated Cells for Clinical Trial

PharmaCyte Biotech, Inc. announced that its six-month study on storage of the frozen encapsulated cells necessary for the determination of an “initial shelf life” has been successfully completed by Austrianova. [PharmaCyte Biotech, Inc. (Business Wire, Inc.)] Press Release

The US FDA Granted Orphan Drug Designation to Yisheng Biopharma’s Biological Product for Pancreatic Cancer Treatment

Yisheng Biopharma Co., Ltd. announced that the FDA has granted orphan drug designation for its lead immuno-oncology candidate, YS-ON-001, for the treatment of pancreatic cancer. [Yisheng Biopharma Co., Ltd. (PR Newswire Association LLC.)] Press Release

Frequency Therapeutics Awarded Grant from JDRF to Generate Glucose-Responsive Insulin-Secreting Cells for Type 1 Diabetes Treatment Using a Small Molecule Approach

Frequency Therapeutics announced a grant from JDRF. The grant, matched by Frequency, will fund research to optimize the company’s Progenitor Cell Activation Regeneration platform, which will explore a small molecule approach to convert intestinal stem cells into cells capable of insulin secretion for the treatment of type 1 diabetes. [Frequency Therapeutics] Press Release

Dorrington Award Recognizes Graduate Research in Bioengineering, Genome Mapping and Transplantation

Along with Eesha Sharma and Alexander Vlahos, Mohsen Afshar is this year’s recipient of the Jennifer Dorrington Doctoral Research Award, awarded annually to outstanding graduate students in the Faculty of Medicine doing research in the Donnelly Centre. Vlahos is working to improve the underneath-the-skin transplantation method so that it requires fewer pancreatic cells, which are hard to come by. [Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto] Press Release

Merkel Makes a Surprise Pick for German Research Minister

German Chancellor Angela Merkel isn’t known for her political surprises. But she managed a big one when she tapped Anja Karliczek, a 46-year-old lawmaker little known outside of party circles, as Germany’s next minister for education and research. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Florida Residents Could Soon Get the Power to Alter Science Classes

Policymakers in the United States are pushing to give the public more power to influence what educators teach students. Florida’s legislature started considering two related bills that, if enacted, would let residents recommend which instructional materials teachers in their school district use in their classrooms. [Nature News] Editorial

National Science Foundation to Close Its Overseas Offices

A plan by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) to close its overseas offices, first reported on the Science | Business website, is getting mixed reviews in the scientific community. The NSF announced it would shutter its outposts in Beijing, Brussels, and Tokyo by summer; two U.S. staff will return to the agency’s headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia, and local staff will be reassigned to U.S. embassies. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NEW Gordon Research Conferences: Lysosomes and Endocytosis
June 17-22, 2018
Andover, New Hampshire, United States

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

NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Epigenetic Regulation of Pancreatic Beta-Cell Mass (City of Hope)

Postdoctoral Positions – Pancreatic Cancer Cells (Fox Chase Cancer Center)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Diabetes (University of Chicago)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Diabetes Research (Joslin Diabetes Center)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Pancreatic Cancer Metastasis (Moffitt Cancer Center)

Postdoctoral Position – Pancreas Development and Stem Cells (Helmholtz Zentrum München)

PhD Student Position – Pancreatic Cancer Metastasis (University Medical Center Freiburg)

Postdoctoral Research Scientist – Pancreatic Cancer (Columbia University)

Professorship – Pancreas Development and Disease (Technischen Universität Dresden)

Tenure-Track Group Leader Position – Pancreatic Cancer Biology (University of Copenhagen)

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