Pancreatic Tissue Sections Research Articles

Identification of fucosylated haptoglobin-producing cells in pancreatic cancer tissue and its molecular mechanism.

Fucosylated haptoglobin is a well-established glyco-biomarker of pancreatic cancer. We recently established a novel anti-glycan antibody (10-7G mAb) that specifically recognizes fucosylated haptoglobins, including prohaptoglobin (proHpt). Serum concentrations of the 10-7G value, as measured by ELISA, were increased in patients with pancreatic cancer relative to the healthy controls. However, it is currently unknown which specific tissue or cell type produces fucosylated haptoglobins or proHpt.In the present study, we performed immunohistochemical (IHC) and ELISA analyses of pancreatic cancer tissue samples using 10-7G mAb.Among 21 pancreatic tissue sections, only 1 showed direct staining of pancreatic cells with the 10-7G mAb. However, 12 of the 21 sections stained positively for immune cells. Although there was no significant difference in the 10-7G expression between the positive and negative staining IHC groups, the median value of serum 10-7G was slightly higher in IHC-positive cases. Among many assayed leukemic cell lines, differentiated THP-1 cells (a human acute monocytic leukemia cell line) were found to have the highest levels of proHpt, per Western blot using 10-7G mAb. Interestingly, production of proHpt in vitro was dramatically increased under either hypoxic conditions or after IL-6 treatment.These results suggest that immune cells, including macrophages, in the pancreatic tissue microenvironment produce fucosylated haptoglobin and proHpt. Thus, fucosylated haptoglobins can be detected by the 10-7G mAb and may be a promising biomarker for pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic beta cell autophagy is impaired in type 1 diabetes

Aims/hypothesisPancreatic beta cells are subjected to exogenous damaging factors such as proinflammatory cytokines or excess glucose that can cause accumulation of damage-inducing reactive oxygen species during the pathogenesis of diabetes. We and others have shown that beta cell autophagy can reduce reactive oxygen species to protect against apoptosis. While impaired islet autophagy has been demonstrated in human type 2 diabetes, it is unknown if islet autophagy is perturbed in the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes. We hypothesised that beta cell autophagy is dysfunctional in type 1 diabetes, and that there is a progressive loss during early diabetes development.MethodsPancreases were collected from chloroquine-injected and non-injected non-obese diabetes-resistant (NOR) and non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice. Age- and BMI-matched pancreas tissue sections from human organ donors (N = 34) were obtained from the Network for Pancreatic Organ Donors with Diabetes (nPOD). Tissue sections were stained with antibodies against proinsulin or insulin (beta cell markers), microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 A/B (LC3A/B; autophagosome marker), lysosomal-associated membrane protein 1 (LAMP1; lysosome marker) and p62 (autophagy adaptor). Images collected on a scanning laser confocal microscope were analysed with CellProfiler and ImageJ. Secondary lysosomes and telolysosomes were assessed in electron micrographs of human pancreatic tissue sections (n = 12), and energy dispersive x-ray analysis was performed to assess distribution of elements (n = 5).ResultsWe observed increased autophagosome numbers in islets of diabetic NOD mice (p = 0.008) and increased p62 in islets of both non-diabetic and diabetic NOD mice (p < 0.001) vs NOR mice. There was also a reduction in LC3–LAMP1 colocalisation in islets of diabetic NOD mice compared with both non-diabetic NOD (p < 0.001) and NOR mice (p < 0.001). Chloroquine elicited accumulation of autophagosomes in the islets of NOR (p = 0.003) and non-diabetic NOD mice (p < 0.001), but not in islets of diabetic NOD mice; and stimulated accumulation of p62 in NOR (p < 0.001), but not in NOD mice. We observed reduced LC3–LAMP1 colocalisation (p < 0.001) in residual beta cells of human donors with type 1 diabetes vs non-diabetic participants. We also observed reduced colocalisation of proinsulin with LAMP1 in donors with type 1 diabetes (p < 0.001). Electron microscopy also revealed accumulation of telolysosomes with nitrogen-dense rings in beta cells of autoantibody-positive donors (p = 0.002).Conclusions/interpretationWe provide evidence of islet macroautophagy/crinophagy impairment in human type 1 diabetes. We also document accumulation of telolysosomes with peripheral nitrogen in beta cells of autoantibody-positive donors, demonstrating altered lysosome content that may be associated with lysosome dysfunction before clinical hyperglycaemia. Similar macroautophagy impairments are present in the NOD mouse model of type 1 diabetes.Graphical abstract

Evaluatıon of effects of bupıvacaıne and ısoflurane on pancreas damage after renal ıschemıa-reperfusıon ınjury: An experımental study

Recent studies have shown that renal ischemia-reperfusion injury can have detrimental effects on distant organs such as the brain, liver and lungs. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of renal ischemia-reperfusion injury on pancreatic functions.&#x0D; Materials and Methods. Twenty four male adult Wistar rats were divided into four groups. Sham and control group animals were not given any medications. Animals in groups 3 and 4 were treated with epidural bupivacaine and isoflurane inhalation. Animals in all groups except for the sham group were subjected to bilateral renal ischemia for 45 minutes and subsequent reperfusion. Blood samples were collected before ischemia, immediately after reperfusion and 2h after reperfusion. Serum blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, amylase and lipase levels were measured, and pancreatic sections were histopathologically examined for the presence and severity of congestion, degenerative cellular changes, cytoplasmic vacuolization and leukocytic infiltration. Levels of malondialdehyde, endogenous antioxidant enzyme catalase and reduced glutathione were measured in pancreatic tissue sections by using colorimetric kits.&#x0D; Results. Serum blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels increased in rats subjected to renal ischemia-reperfusion. There was no difference between the groups in terms of pancreatic tissue malondialdehyde, catalase and glutathione levels.&#x0D; Conclusion. In conclusion, bilateral renal ischemia for 45 minutes led to significant impairment in pancreatic function and changes in pancreas histology. These findings might be due to antioxidant deficiency and increased lipid peroxidation in pancreatic tissue.

Feasibility of modeling human intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms of the pancreas using an organoid approach

Presenter: Nicholas Peters MD | Yale University School of Medicine Background: Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) is a mucin-producing, premalignant cystic lesion arising from the pancreatic ducts that can result in invasive pancreatic adenocarcinoma. The molecular origin of IPMN and etiology of malignant degeneration remains poorly understood, in part due to the lack of an in vitro model for study. Organoid-based systems have emerged as a genetically-tractable approach for tumor study. We sought to assess the feasibility of creating an organoid-based model system for the study of human IPMN. Methods: Patients undergoing surgical resection for presumed IPMN of any histological subtype or category of dysplasia were eligible for study inclusion. Within 30 minutes of resection, fresh aliquots of IPMN and grossly normal pancreatic duct were obtained. Specimens were enzymatically digested to oligo-cell clusters, embedded in solubilized basement membrane (Matrigel), and grown in permissive media promoting enrichment of the ductal epithelial fraction. Creation of spherical organoids capable of sustained growth, defined as 3 sequential culture passages, was defined as a successfully propagated culture. Microscopy, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and genotypic analysis of known highly-penetrant IPMN mutations were then performed on mature organoid cultures when possible. Results: 29 unique cyst wall or adjacent, grossly normal pancreatic ductal tissue sections from 11 patients (range, 1-6 sections/patient) were freshly harvested from surgical pancreatectomy specimens. The source tissues were then subsequently confirmed as IPMN via histologic examination by an experienced pancreatic surgical pathologist. The harvested tissue subjected to enzymatic digestion and culture ranged from 18 – 164mg. Spheroid formation and successful, sustained growth for at least three passages was attained in 11 organoid cultures (38%) as demonstrated by phase-contrast microscopy (Figure 1A). Continuous cultures were sustained in successful isolates from 22 - 385 days (median, 92 days). Genomic DNA was successfully isolated from 10 organoid cultures. Targeted sequencing was completed in 4 samples and revealed KRAS G12x/Q61x or GNAS R201x mutations in 3/3 IPMN samples, and 0/1 adjacent normal samples. To date, IHC analysis of 1 organoid demonstrated recapitulation of pathognomonic IPMN-defining protein expression consistent with the clinical tissue of origin (CDX2, MUC2, MUC5AC shown in Figure 1 B, C, and D, respectively). Conclusion: Creation of sustained human-derived IPMN organoids is feasible and the current data shows recapitulation of key driver mutations and IPMN-specific protein expression in vitro. Future improvements in organoid generation efficiency, durability and characterization will enhance the applicability of this approach.

Морфофункциональная характеристика эндокринного отдела поджелудочной железы под воздействием γ-ГХЦГ

In the last decades of the twentieth century, in the national economy of many countries, organochlorine pesticides were most widely used, characterized by stability in the external environment, the ability to cumulate in various tissues of organisms. Lindane (the gamma isomer of hexachlorocyclohexane) is listed as a restricted persistent organic pollutant and is an ecotoxic substance with severe and chronic effects on the human body. The study of the effect of lindane on carbohydrate metabolism at the present stage is still insufficient. This fact led to the study of the effect of γ-HCH on the insulinogenic function of the pancreas in in vivo and in vitro experiments. In experiments in vivo, the animals of the experimental groups were once orally administered γ-HCH at a dose equal to 1/5 DL50. Isolated pancreatic islets, precipitated in vitro and fixed on mica plates, were exposed to γ-HCH in amounts equivalent to 1/5 to 1/4 DL50. Paraffin sections of pancreatic tissue from experimental and control animals were stained with aldehyde fuchsin according to Gomori, and tissue preparations were also examined by a highly specific method for detecting insulin in β-cells using diethylpseudoisocyanin staining, followed by examination of the preparations in the ultraviolet light of a luminescent microscope. The samemethods were used to study preparations of isolated pancreatic islet tissue on the 4th day of cultivation. The influence of orally administered γ-HCH on the level of immunoreactive insulin in the blood of experimental animals was also studied. The insulin level was determined by the enzymatic-immunological method. The concentration of IRI was established before the start of the experiment and 4-4.5 hours after acute inoculation. Results and their significance. In the study of stained preparations of the pancreas of experimental animals, numerous islets of ordinary sizes were revealed, the cytoplasm of which was filled with aldehyde-fuccin granularity in quantities indistinguishable from those observed by microscopy of preparations of control animals. The value of the fluorescence coefficient in the histofluorimetric study of the control and experimental preparations did not differ significantly. However, the content of IRI in the blood serum showed a distinct decrease in the first hours after priming. In experiments in vitro, when studying the effect of γ-HCH on cultured tissue, introduced into the nutrient medium on the second day, in the field of view of the microscope, single, small pancreatic islets were revealed. Their number on a constant area of the plates was significantly lower than the value of the same indicator in the study of control preparations. Thus it has been shown that γ-HCH does not affect the histostructure of the endocrine pancreas, but causes a significant decrease in IRI in the blood serum, as well as a change in the histochemical characteristics of cultured β-cells.

Mercury in Pancreatic Cells of People with and without Pancreatic Cancer.

Toxic metals have been implicated in the pathogenesis of pancreatic cancer. Human exposure to mercury is widespread, but it is not known how often mercury is present in the human pancreas and which cells might contain mercury. We therefore aimed to determine, in people with and without pancreatic cancer, the distribution and prevalence of mercury in pancreatic cells. Paraffin-embedded sections of normal pancreatic tissue were obtained from pancreatectomy samples of 45 people who had pancreatic adenocarcinoma, and from autopsy samples of 38 people without pancreatic cancer. Mercury was identified using two methods of elemental bio-imaging: (1) With autometallography, inorganic mercury was seen in islet cells in 14 of 30 males (47%) with pancreatic cancer compared to two of 17 males (12%) without pancreatic cancer (p = 0.024), and in 10 of 15 females (67%) with pancreatic cancer compared to four of 21 females (19%) without pancreatic cancer (p = 0.006). Autometallographic mercury was present in acinar cells in 24% and in periductal cells in 11% of people with pancreatic cancer, but not in those without pancreatic cancer. (2) Laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry confirmed the presence of mercury in islets that stained with autometallography and detected cadmium, lead, chromium, iron, nickel and aluminium in some samples. In conclusion, the genotoxic metal mercury is found in normal pancreatic cells in more people with, than without, pancreatic cancer. These findings support the hypothesis that toxic metals such as mercury contribute to the pathogenesis of pancreatic cancer.

VISTA: VIsual Semantic Tissue Analysis for pancreatic disease quantification in murine cohorts

Mechanistic disease progression studies using animal models require objective and quantifiable assessment of tissue pathology. Currently quantification relies heavily on staining methods which can be expensive, labor/time-intensive, inconsistent across laboratories and batch, and produce uneven staining that is prone to misinterpretation and investigator bias. We developed an automated semantic segmentation tool utilizing deep learning for rapid and objective quantification of histologic features relying solely on hematoxylin and eosin stained pancreatic tissue sections. The tool segments normal acinar structures, the ductal phenotype of acinar-to-ductal metaplasia (ADM), and dysplasia with Dice coefficients of 0.79, 0.70, and 0.79, respectively. To deal with inaccurate pixelwise manual annotations, prediction accuracy was also evaluated against biological truth using immunostaining mean structural similarity indexes (SSIM) of 0.925 and 0.920 for amylase and pan-keratin respectively. Our tool’s disease area quantifications were correlated to the quantifications of immunostaining markers (DAPI, amylase, and cytokeratins; Spearman correlation score = 0.86, 0.97, and 0.92) in unseen dataset (n = 25). Moreover, our tool distinguishes ADM from dysplasia, which are not reliably distinguished with immunostaining, and demonstrates generalizability across murine cohorts with pancreatic disease. We quantified the changes in histologic feature abundance for murine cohorts with oncogenic Kras-driven disease, and the predictions fit biological expectations, showing stromal expansion, a reduction of normal acinar tissue, and an increase in both ADM and dysplasia as disease progresses. Our tool promises to accelerate and improve the quantification of pancreatic disease in animal studies and become a unifying quantification tool across laboratories.

Transdifferentiation of both intra- and extra-islet cells into beta cells in nicotinamide treated neonatal diabetic rats: An in situ hybridization and double immunohistochemical study

We aimed to study the effect of nicotinamide (NA) on beta (β)-cell regeneration and apoptosis in streptozotocin induced neonatal rats (n-STZ). Three groups were performed: Control group, n2-STZ group (100 mg/kg STZ on the second day-after birth), n2-STZ + NA group (STZ;100 mg/kg + NA;500 mg/kg/day for 5 days). The pancreatic tissue sections were immunostained with insulin, glucagon, somatostatin, Pdx1, Notch1 and active caspase-3 antibodies, and double immunostained with insulin/PCNA, insulin/glucagon and insulin/somatostatin antibodies. In situ hybridization carried out with insulin probe. Apoptotic β-cell were shown by TUNEL assay, followed by immunostaining. The number of insulin/PCNA, insulin/glucagon and insulin/somatostatin double-positive cells significantly increased in n2-STZ + NA group compared with the other groups (p < 0.001). n2- STZ group had lower number of insulin and Pdx1 positive cells in islets, compared to NA treated diabetics. The insulin and Pdx1 immun positive cells were located in the small clusters or scattered through the exocrine tissue and around to ducts in n2-STZ + NA group. Notch1 positive cell numbers were increased, whereas caspase-3 and TUNEL positive β-cell numbers were decreased in n2-STZ + NA group. NA treatment induces the neogenic insulin positive islets orginated from the differentiation of ductal progenitor cells, transdifferentiation of acinar cells into β cells, and transformation of potent precursor cells and centroacinar cells via the activated Notch expression into β-cells in n-STZ rats.

843 A Study on Changes of Pancreatic Structure and Function After Severe Burns and Its Mechanism

Abstract Introduction This research was to explore the changes of pancreatic structure and function after severe burns and its mechanism. Methods A scald model of rats with a 50% total body surface area was established. Rats were injected with bpv (hopic, 0.6 mg/kg) subcutaneously once daily post scald creation. Rats’ fasting blood glucose (FBG) and serum insulin concentration were measured to calculate the insulin resistance index at 72 h post injury. Western blot assay was used to measure the content of p-Akt and t-Akt in pancreatic tissue and observe Akt phosphorylation levels. Paraffin sections and electron microscopic sections of pancreatic tissue were prepared for observation under light and transmission electron microscopy. The number of insulin particles and insulin vacuoles attached to per 10 μm of the cell membrane in β cells were calculated. Results Scalds increased FBG and impaired glucose tolerance significantly in the rats. Bpv could reduce blood glucose and improve glucose tolerance remarkably. Western blot assay revealed that the activity of PI3k/Akt pathway in rats’ pancreas decreased after scalding, and bpv could up-regulate its activity. The number of insulin particles attached to to per 10 μm of the cell membrane in β cells was reduced, and the proportion of insulin vacuoles was increased, indicating that rats’ insulin secretion function was impaired. After treatment with bpv, rats’ insulin secretion function was improved. Conclusions The activity of PI3k/Akt pathway in scalded rats’ pancreas is reduced and the insulin secretion function is decreased. Improving the activity of PI3k/Akt pathway in rats’ pancreas may improve the insulin secretion function and restore physiological blood glucose levels during the early stage after scalding. Applicability of Research to Practice This research may be applicable in practice in the future to regulate the metabolism of burn patients.

Low Incidence of High-Grade Pancreatic Intraepithelial Neoplasia Lesions in a Crmp4 Gene–Deficient Mouse Model of Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN), the most common premalignant lesion of the pancreas, is a histologically well-defined precursor to invasive pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the progression of PanINs have not been fully elucidated. Previously, we demonstrated that the expression of collapsin response mediator protein 4 (CRMP4) in PDAC was associated with poor prognosis. The expression of CRMP4 was also augmented in a pancreatitis mouse model. However, the role of CRMP4 in the progression of PanIN lesions remains uncertain. In the present study, we examined the relationship between CRMP4 expression and progression of PanIN lesions using genetically engineered mouse models. PanIN lesions were induced by peritoneal injection of the cholecystokinin analog caerulein in LSL-KRASG12D; Pdx1-Cre (KC-Crmp4 wild-type, WT) mice and LSL-KRASG12D; Pdx1-Cre; Crmp4−/− (KC-Crmp4 knockout, KO) mice. We analyzed pancreatic tissue sections from these mice and evaluated PanIN grade by hematoxylin and eosin staining. CRMP4 expression was examined and the cellular components assessed by immunohistochemistry using antibodies against CRMP4, CD3, and α-smooth muscle actin (SMA). The incidence of high-grade PanIN in KC-Crmp4 WT mice was higher than that in KC-Crmp4 KO animals. CRMP4 was expressed not only in epithelial cells but also in αSMA-positive cells in stromal areas of PanIN lesions. The CRMP4 expression in stromal areas correlated with PanIN grade in WT mice. These results suggested that the expression of CRMP4 in stromal cells may underlie the incidence or progression of PanIN.

Inflammation Associated Pancreatic Tumorigenesis: Upregulation of Succinate Dehydrogenase (Subunit B) Reduces Cell Growth of Pancreatic Ductal Epithelial Cells.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is amongst the most fatal malignancies and its development is highly associated with inflammatory processes such as chronic pancreatitis (CP). Since the succinate dehydrogenase subunit B (SDHB) is regarded as tumor suppressor that is lost during cancer development, this study investigated the impact of M1-macrophages as part of the inflammatory microenvironment on the expression as well as function of SDHB in benign and premalignant pancreatic ductal epithelial cells (PDECs). Immunohistochemical analyses on pancreatic tissue sections from CP patients and control individuals revealed a stronger SDHB expression in ducts of CP tissues being associated with a greater abundance of macrophages compared to ducts in control tissues. Accordingly, indirect co-culture with M1-macrophages led to clearly elevated SDHB expression and SDH activity in benign H6c7-pBp and premalignant H6c7-kras PDECs. While siRNA-mediated SDHB knockdown in these cells did not affect glucose and lactate uptake after co-culture, SDHB knockdown significantly promoted PDEC growth which was associated with increased proliferation and decreased effector caspase activity particularly in co-cultured PDECs. Overall, these data indicate that SDHB expression and SDH activity are increased in PDECs when exposed to pro-inflammatory macrophages as a counterregulatory mechanism to prevent excessive PDEC growth triggered by the inflammatory environment.

Human herpesvirus-6 is present at higher levels in the pancreatic tissues of donors with type 1 diabetes

Human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) is a ubiquitous pathogen associated with nervous and endocrine autoimmune disorders. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of HHV-6 in pancreatic tissue sections from non-diabetic, auto-antibody positive (AAB+), and donors with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and explore whether there is any association between HHV-6 and MHC class I hyperexpression and CD8 T cell infiltration.HHV-6 DNA was detected by PCR and its protein was examined by indirect immunofluorescence assay followed by imaging using high-resolution confocal microscopy. Viral DNA (U67) was found in most pancreata of non-diabetic (3 out of 4), AAB+ (3 out of 5) and T1D donors (6 out of 7). Interestingly, HHV-6 glycoprotein B (gB) was more expressed in islets and exocrine pancreas of donors with T1D. However, gB expression was not directly associated with other pathologies. Out of 20 islets with high gB expression, only 3 islets (15%) showed MHC class I hyperexpression. Furthermore, no correlation was found between gB expression and CD8 T cell infiltration on a per-islet basis in any of the groups.Our observations indicate that HHV-6 DNA and protein are present in the pancreas of non-diabetic subjects but gB expression is higher in the pancreas of donors with T1D. The possible role of HHV-6 as a contributory factor for T1D should therefore be further investigated.

Donor age significantly influences the Raman spectroscopic biomolecular fingerprint of human pancreatic extracellular matrix proteins following collagenase-based digestion

Despite the enormous advances in the field of clinical pancreatic islet transplantation over the past two decades, the human islet isolation procedure remains suboptimal. Islets are extracted (isolated) from the exocrine tissue of donor pancreases using neutral protease (NP) and collagenase-based enzymes, which digest the extracellular matrix (ECM) scaffold surrounding human islets. This process remains highly variable and current isolation enzyme blends are ineffective at digesting pancreases from younger donors with low body mass indexes (BMI). However, age-related differences in pancreatic matrix digestion have not been studied in detail at the molecular level. To address this, we investigated ECM digestion in purified ECM proteins and in pancreatic tissue sections from younger (≤30 years; n = 5) and older (>55 years; n = 5) BMI matched donors, using Raman microspectroscopy (RMS). The Raman spectral profiles for purified collagens I, IV, VI and laminins were significantly altered following controlled enzyme treatment. Pancreatic cryosections were treated with Serva collagenase, NP, or the two enzymes combined, at clinically relevant concentrations. RMS demonstrated that the ECM at the islet-exocrine interface was differentially digested with respect to donor age. The action of collagenase was affected to a greater extent than NP.RMS is a powerful, marker-independent technology for characterising the human pancreatic ECM and demonstrating differences between donor types. Ongoing detailed studies using RMS will assist the development of donor-specific enzyme blends, increasing the overall success of human islet isolation and benefiting many people with type 1 diabetes worldwide. Statement of SignificancePancreatic islet transplantation is a minimally invasive treatment, which can reverse Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) in selected patients. Islets of Langerhans are extracted (isolated) from the exocrine tissue of human donor pancreases using neutral protease (NP) and collagenase-based enzymes, which digest the extracellular matrix (ECM) scaffold surrounding human islets. This process remains highly variable and current enzymes are ineffective at digesting pancreases from younger donors. Using Raman microspectroscopy we demonstrate that donor age affects the enzymatic digestion of the pancreatic ECM at the molecular level. Collagenase activity is affected to a greater extent than NP. These findings will assist the development of donor-specific enzymes, thereby increasing the overall success of islet isolation and benefiting many people with T1DM worldwide.

Identification of RE1-Silencing Transcription Factor as a Promoter of Metastasis in Pancreatic Cancer.

Pancreatic cancer is characterized by its rapid progression and early metastasis. This requires further elucidation of the key promoters for its progression and metastasis. In this study, we identified REST as the hub gene of a gene module which is closely associated with cancer stage by weighted gene correlation network analysis. Validation with the TCGA database, western blot analysis of human pancreatic cancer cell lines (AsPC-1, Capan-2, SW-1990, and PANC-1) and immunohistochemical analysis of paraffin-embedded pancreatic cancer tissue sections showed that REST was enriched in tissue samples of advanced stage and metastatic phenotype cell lines. Survival analysis with the TCGA database and our own follow-up data suggested that patients with higher expression level of REST showed worse overall survival rate. In vitro functional experiments suggested that knockdown of REST suppressed proliferation, migration, invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition of AsPC-1 and PANC-1 cells. In vivo experiments (a subcutaneous BALB/c nude mouse model and a superior mesenteric vein injection BALB/c nude mouse model) suggested that knockdown of REST suppressed growth and metastasis of xenograft tumor. Finally, we investigated the underlying molecular mechanism of REST and identified REST as a potential downstream target of MAPK signaling pathway. In conclusion, our results of bioinformatic analysis, in vitro and in vivo functional analysis suggested that REST may serve as a promoter of metastasis in pancreatic cancer.

Maternal Western-style diet affects offspring islet composition and function in a non-human primate model of maternal over-nutrition

ObjectiveIn humans, offspring of women who are overweight or obese are more likely to develop metabolic disease later in life. Studies in lower animal species reveal that a calorically-dense maternal diet is associated with alterations in islet cell mass and function. The long-term effects of maternal diet on the structure and function of offspring islets with characteristics similar to humans are unknown. We used a well-established non-human primate (NHP) model to determine the consequences of exposure to Western-Style Diet (WSD) in utero and during lactation on islet cell mass and function in the offspring. MethodsFemale Japanese Macaques (Macaca fuscata) were fed either control (CTR) or WSD before and throughout pregnancy and lactation. Offspring were weaned onto CTR or WSD to generate four different groups based on maternal/offspring diets: CTR/CTR, WSD/CTR, CTR/WSD, and WSD/WSD. Offspring were analyzed at three years of age. Pancreatic tissue sections were immunolabelled to measure α- and β-cell mass and proliferation as well as islet vascularization. Live islets were also isolated to test the effects of WSD-exposure on islet function ex vivo. Offspring glucose tolerance was correlated with various maternal characteristics. Resultsα-cell mass was reduced as a result of maternal WSD exposure. α-cell proliferation was reduced in response to offspring WSD. Islet vasculature did not differ among the diet groups. Islets from WSD/CTR offspring secreted a greater amount of insulin in response to glucose ex vivo. We also found that maternal glucose tolerance and parity correlated with offspring glucose tolerance. ConclusionsMaternal WSD exposure results in persistently decreased α-cell mass in the three-year old offspring. WSD/CTR islets secreted greater amounts of insulin ex vivo, suggesting that these islets are primed to hyper-secrete insulin under certain metabolic stressors. Although WSD did not induce overt impaired glucose tolerance in dams or offspring, offspring born to mothers with higher glucose excursions during a glucose tolerance test were more likely to also show higher glucose excursions.

Effects of Scutellaria barbata extracts on serum glycolipid hormones and pancreatic-tissue structure in type 2 diabetic rats

The study describes the effect of Chinese herbal medicine extracts from Scutellaria barbata on serum glycolipid hormones and pancreatic-tissue structure in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) rats. Healthy Wistar rats (n = 150) were divided randomly into two groups: healthy (30) and model (120). The healthy group was fed normally for 30d and injected citrate buffer on day 31. The model group was fed high-fat and high-sugar feed for 30d and injected STZ on day 31. On day 38 the model group was divided randomly into four groups: model group, low-, medium-, and high-dose S. barbata (n = 30 in each). 5, 10, 20, and 30dafter treatment, serum levels of FGB, INS, CORT, TG, TC, HDL-C, and LDL-C in all groups were measured and pancreatic-tissue sections were stained with hematoxylin–eosin and aldehyde fuchsine to observe the tissue structure. The results showed significantly decreased levels of FGB, INS, CORT, and LDL-C (P less than 0.01) and increased level of HDL-C (P greator than 0.05).In addition, the damaged structure of diabetic pancreatic tissue has been partially restored in the low-dose S. barbata group. These results show that low-dose S. barbata extract treatment is effective in treating T2DM.

Pancreas of coxsackievirus-infected dams and their challenged pups: A complex issue

ABSTRACTEnteroviral infections are frequent, often asymptomatic in humans and during gravidity.The present study is an extension of our previous investigations where we had shown pancreatitis in challenged pups of CVB4-E2-infected dams. Present investigation describes the effect of gestational infection with this virus on the pancreas of both dams and their challenged pups. Gravid CD1 outbred mice were orally infected with CVB4-E2 virus at different gestation times. Pups were challenged orally with the same virus after 25 days of birth. Organs were collected at selected intervals postinfection (p.i.), and replicating virus and viral-RNA copies were analyzed. Additional readouts included histopathology and immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis for localization and identification of Ly6G+ cells (neutrophils), CD11b+ cells (macrophages), and viral protein in pancreatic tissue sections of the infected dams and their challenged pups. Our results show the presence of replicating virus in the pancreas of infected dams and their challenged pups, with inflammation leading to chronic necrotizing pancreatitis and atrophy of pancreatic acini of the dams and their offspring. IHC analysis of the infiltrating cells showed pronounced Ly6G+ neutrophils in dams only, whereas CD11b+ macrophages were present in tissues of both, the pups and the dams. Time of infection during gravidity as well as the p.i. intervals when mice were sacrificed influenced the pancreatic pathophysiology in both groups. We conclude that coxsackievirus infection during pregnancy is a risk factor for chronic affliction of the exocrine tissue and could affect endocrine pancreas in the mother and child.

The analysis of surface saccharide profiles through fluorescein-labelled lectins in a rat pancreatic tissue with established metabolic syndrome model

Abstract “Glycans”, which are generally referred as oligosaccharides and polysaccharides, are structures that are present on all cellular surfaces with proteins and lipids being attached to their basic chain structures. Many studies in the field of glycobiology have identified the various and complicated biological roles of these glycans which make them perfect molecules to use in labelling and selecting body cells specifically. This study aims at analyzing the modifications in saccharide units of glycans on a cell membrane surfaces of the pancreatic tissue of rats to which normal and metabolic syndrome (MetS) are established. To this end, a MetS model was created through a high fructose diet in Spraque Dawley breed of rats and the pancreatic tissue sections of the group with MetS and control group animals were evaluated comparatively. The targeted saccharide units were examined with Fluorescent Microscope by using two different Fluorescein (FITC) labelled lectins, namely Maackia amurensis-1 lectin [FITC-(MAL-I)] and the Wheat Germ Agglutinin (FITC-WGA). It was observed that FITC-MAL-1-labelled Galβ4GlcNAc units did not change much due to high- fructose diet. On the other hand, more GlcNAc, Neu5Ac and β-GlcNAc units which are labelled with FITC-WGA lectin increase in numbers in pancreatic sections of high fructose diet, compared to control group. Thus, a rapid and specific labelling method, which can identify surface saccharide sequences specifically, was developed. The method can be used in early diagnosis and/or treatment for metabolic diseases.

Abstract 3828: Pritumumab mAb binds cell surface expressed vimentin on pancreatic cancer cells and inhibits tumor growth

Abstract Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) as therapeutics for cancer have shown some success in the clinic. These biologics are useful if targeting a cancer specific epitope. Cancer patients can generate tumor-specific B lymphocytes which can be isolated to develop human mAbs against tumor-associated antigens. The best source of anti-tumor antibodies is from sentinel lymph nodes. Pritumumab (also referred to as CLNH-11, CLN-IgG, or ACA-11) is a classic example of a natural human anti-cancer antibody. It is a natural human IgG1 kappa antibody developed by the human hybridoma technology, using B lymphocytes isolated from a regional draining lymph node of a patient with cervical carcinoma. In the original patient from whom the B lymphocyte was isolated, the bioavailability of the target antigen induced a natural immune response resulting in the generation of the pritumumab IgG. The target antigen recognized by pritumumab is cell surface expressed vimentin, also referred to as ecto-domain vimentin (EDV). Vimentin is an intracellular cytoskeletal protein overexpressed during epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a process integral to cancer cell metastasis. Pancreatic cancer is a deadly disease with poor prognosis. No more than 6% of pancreatic cancer patients will survive beyond five years after diagnosis. There is a clear unmet need to help improve outcomes for patients. (A) Purpose of the study: to examine if pritumumab mAb can target pancreatic cancer cells and inhibit pancreatic tumor growth. (B) Experimental Procedures: Immunohistochemical analysis with horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-conjugated pritumumab on pancreatic cancer patient tissue sections along with immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, and In-Cell ELISA to demonstrate antibody binding. Antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytoxicity (ADCC) was performed to determine mechanism of action. In vivo subcutaneous xenograft mouse model treated with pritumumab to assess efficacy of the antibody for tumor inhibition. (C) Results: In this study we demonstrate pritumumab binds to the cell surface of patient pancreatic cancer tissue and binds the surface of established pancreatic cancer cells in culture. We show antibody binding to these cells induces antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytoxicity (ADCC). Furthermore, pritumumab effectively inhibits pancreatic tumor growth in a xenograft mouse model. (D) Statement of Conclusions: overall, these data provide pre-clinical validation of pritumumab mAb as a therapeutic for pancreatic cancer. Citation Format: Ivan Babic, Natsuko Nomura, Eric Glassy, Elmar Nurmemmedov, Venkata Yenugonda, Mark Glassy, Santosh Kesari. Pritumumab mAb binds cell surface expressed vimentin on pancreatic cancer cells and inhibits tumor growth [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 3828.

Ameliorative effect of &lt;i&gt;Citrus aurantifolia&lt;/i&gt; and &lt;i&gt;Cinnamomum burmannii&lt;/i&gt; extracts on diabetic complications in a hyperglycemic rat model

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of Citrus aurantifolia and Cinnamomum burmannii extracts (Jermanis) on the number of pancreatic β-cells and levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) in β-cells. Methods: Various doses of a combination of extracts of C. aurantifolia and C. burmannii were given orally to 25 male Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus) every 2 h for 30 days. Doses of 100, 300 and 500 mg/kg/day C. aurantifolia extract were considered low, medium and high doses, respectively, while, 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg/day C. burmannii extract were considered low, medium and high doses, respectively. LDL and SOD levels in blood serum were analyzed spectrophotometrically. TGF-β expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Pancreatic tissue sections (diameter of a β-cell) were evaluated by light microscopy after hematoxylin and eosin staining. Results: The combination of C. aurantifolia and C. burmannii extracts increased SOD levels, TGF-β expression and the number of β-cells and decreased LDL levels in hyperglycemic rats. The results indicate that the highest doses of C. aurantifolia and C. burmannii increased the number of β-cells in the islets of Langerhans. The combined extracts of C. aurantifolia and C. burmannii significantly affected pancreatic cell regeneration. Conclusion: The combination of C. aurantifolia and C. burmannii extracts may be a promising alternative preventative medicine for management of diabetic complications in patients with hyperglycemia. Keywords: β-cell, Diabetes, Diabetic complications, Citrus aurantifolia, Cinnamomum burmannii, Biochemical profile, TGF-β expression