Pancreatic Cell News 9.21 May 29, 2018 | |
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TOP STORYAmikagel facilitated controlled and spontaneous aggregation of human embryonic stem cell derived pancreatic progenitor cells into robust homogeneous spheroids. This platform allowed fine control over the integration of multiple cell populations to produce heterogeneous spheroids, which is a necessity for complex organoid engineering. [Biomaterials] Abstract | |
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PUBLICATIONS(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)DIABETES & PANCREATITISMouse and human pancreatic islet cells were transfected with mRNA encoding the angiogenic growth factor vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) before transplantation under the kidney capsule in mice. [Diabetologia] Abstract Investigators reported that loss of p300 acetyl transferase activity and expression lead to beta-cell apoptosis, and that stress situations known to be associated with diabetes alter p300 levels and functional integrity. They found that proteasomal degradation was the mechanism subserving p300 loss in beta-cells exposed to hyperglycemia or pro-inflammatory cytokines. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article Researchers found that soon after neonatal pancreatic cell cluster (NPCC) isolation, PDX1+/insulin– and SOX9+ pancreatic progenitor-like cells dramatically increased while dual-hormonal progenitor-like cells were routinely observed in NPCC culture. After transplantation, insulin+ cells increased and PDX1+ and SOX9+ cells gradually decreased in both non-diabetic and streptozotocin-induced diabetic grafts over two months. [Sci Rep] Full Article Prolactin (PRL)-induced cytoprotection in control cells was abrogated in heat shock protein B1 (HSPB1) silenced cells, overexpression of HSPB1 recovered survival. PRL-mediated inhibition of cytokine-induced caspase activities and cytokine-induced decrease of BCL-2/BAX ratio was significantly reverted in knocked-down cells. [Mol Cell Endocrinol] Abstract | Graphical Abstract Diabetic mice receiving 150 islets treated with early toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) blockade achieved euglycemia at a higher rate than mice receiving untreated islets and had improved long-term function. Serum markers for islet damage and inflammation were significantly reduced posttransplant. Both the expression of key inflammatory genes and the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases were reduced by early TLR4 blockade. Islet viability was improved while preserving islet insulin secretory capacity postisolation. [Transplantation] Abstract PANCREATIC CANCERThe exosomes from MIA PaCa-2 cells (Exo-Mia) reduced the production of glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) from STC-1 cells in vitro in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Exo-Mia increased the levels of Gip and proglucagon mRNAs and decreased the expression of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 1/3 (PCSK1/3), which is responsible for the post-translational processing of Gip and proglucagon. [Cancer Lett] Abstract Scientists found that DNA methyltransferase 1 (Dnmt1) was upregulated in tumor tissue and cell lines, which expressed p53R172H. Inhibition or depletion of Dnmt1 restored miR-142-3p expression. Overexpression of miR-142-3p attenuated the invasive capacity of p53R172H-expressing tumor cells. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article Investigators found that matrine significantly reduced pancreatic cancer growth in vitro and in vivo by insufficiently maintaining mitochondrial metabolic function and energy level. They also found that either pyruvate or α-ketoglutarate supplementation markedly rescued pancreatic cancer cell growth following matrine treatment. Inhibition of mitochondrial energy production resulted from matrine-mediated autophagy inhibition by impairing the function of lysosomal protease. [Mol Oncol] Abstract | Full Article The authors found that an inhibitor of the bromodomain and extraterminal family of proteins (I-BET762) induced cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 phase, cell death, suppressed cell proliferation and metastatic stem cell factors in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells. The BH3-only protein Bim, which is related to chemotherapy resistance, was upregulated by I-BET762, which increased cell death triggered by gemcitabine in PDAC cells. [Sci Rep] Full Article | |
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REVIEWSThe Somatostatin-Secreting Pancreatic δ-Cell in Health and Disease The authors summarize the cell physiology of somatostatin secretion, what might go wrong in diabetes mellitus and the therapeutic potential of agents targeting somatostatin secretion or action. [Nat Rev Endocrinol] Abstract Update on Glycerol-3-Phosphate Acyltransferases: The Roles in the Development of Insulin Resistance Through gain-of-function and loss-of-function experiments, it has been confirmed that glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferases (GPATs) play a critical role in the development of obesity, hepatic steatosis, and insulin resistance. The functional characteristics of GPATs and the relation between three isoforms (GPAT1, 3, and 4) and insulin resistance are described. [Nutr Diabetes] Full Article Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the pancreatic cell research field. | |
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SCIENCE NEWSViaCyte to Present at the American Diabetes Association’s 78th Scientific Sessions ViaCyte, Inc., announced an oral presentation. ViaCyte is developing novel stem cell-derived islet replacement therapies that could transform the way that patients with diabetes manage their disease. [Press release from ViaCyte, Inc. discussing research to be presented at the American Diabetes Association’s (ADA) 78th Scientific Sessions, Orlando] Press Release | |
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INDUSTRY NEWSSLU Scientist Aims to Turn on Hypoglycemia’s Missed Signal A $150,000 grant from The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust will support research at Saint Louis University led by scientist Gina Yosten, Ph.D. Yosten’s team is pursuing solutions for people with diabetes who are at risk of life-threatening drops in blood sugar known as hypoglycemia. [Saint Louis University] Press Release Targovax Strengthens Two-Year Survival Rate in Resected Pancreatic Cancer with TG01 Targovax ASA, announced the completion of the 32-patient Phase I/II clinical trial evaluating TG01 in resected pancreatic cancer in combination with standard of care chemotherapy (gemcitabine). Median overall survival (mOS) for all 32 patients was 33.4 months, which is nearly six months better than the mOS of 27.6 months for gemcitabine alone reported in the recent ESPAC4 trial. [Targovax] Press Release | |
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POLICY NEWSItaly’s New Prime Minister Defended Discredited Stem Cell Therapy The electoral victory of two populist parties in March had Italian scientists worried that a new era of antiscientific policies might be around the corner—and appointment of Giuseppe Conte as the country’s new prime minister is making some even more nervous. [ScienceInsider] Editorial Scientist Who Received Millions from NIH Leaves Alabama Posts A professor who received about $5 million in grants from the National Institutes of Health left his posts at the University of Alabama, Birmingham, and Birmingham VA Medical Center last year after an investigation found evidence of image manipulation in 20 of his papers, Retraction Watch has learned. [The Scientist] Editorial Will U.S. Academies Expel Sexual Harassers? As high-profile sexual harassment cases fuel public criticism, the presidents of the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine announced they may adopt new policies allowing the prestigious bodies to eject members who have committed harassment and other forms of misconduct. Members of the academies—which serve as both honorific societies and advisers to the U.S. government—are elected by existing members to life-long terms, and the bodies currently lack mechanisms for removing them for harassment. [ScienceInsider] Editorial
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EVENTSNEW 30th EORTC-NCI-AACR Symposium Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the community.
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JOB OPPORTUNITIESNEW Postdoctoral Researcher – Pancreatic Islets & Beta Cell Transplantation (Karolinska Institutet) Postdoctoral Fellow – Microfluidic Modeling of Type 2 Diabetes (Karolinska Institutet) Postdoctoral Scholars – Structural Biology (The University of Chicago) Laboratory Scientific Officer/Head of Sample Processing – Type 1 Diabetes (University of Oxford) EBPOD Fellowship – Pancreatic Cancer Analysis (European Molecular Biology Laboratory) Postdoctoral Positions – Immunology of Diabetes (Cochin Institute) Postdoctoral Position – Functional Genomics of Insulin Resistance (Stanford University) Postdoctoral Fellows – Diabetes Complications & Epigenetics (St. Michael’s Hospital) Doctoral Thesis Positions – Diabetes Research (International Helmholtz Research School for Diabetes) Postdoctoral Fellow – Molecular Medicine (City of Hope) Doctoral Thesis Position – Endocrine Cell Research (Helmholtz Zentrum Munchen) Doctoral Thesis Position – Diabetes Research (Universite Libre de Bruxelles) Postdoctoral Fellow – Pancreatic Cancer Research (University of New South Wales) Research Fellow/Associate – Diabetes Research (Rutgers University) Postdoctoral Fellow – Epigenetic Regulation of Pancreatic Beta-Cell Mass (City of Hope) Recruit Top Talent: Reach potential candidates by posting your organization’s career opportunities on the Connexon Creative Job Board at no cost.
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