[Preferential expression of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein in degenerating acinar cells in chronic pancreatitis and in chronic pancreatitis-like lesions].
OBJECTIVE
To study cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) mRNA and protein expression in normal pancreas, chronic pancreatitis (CP), and pancreatic cancer tissues.


METHODS
Tissues from 15 cases of normal pancreas, 14 cases of chronic pancreatitis and 14 cases of pancreatic cancer were analyzed by Northern blot, Western blot, in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry.


RESULTS
COMP mRNA signals and immunoreactivity were strongly present in the cytoplasm of degenerating acinar cells in CP tissues as well as in CP-like lesions in pancreatic cancer tissues. In contrast, COMP expression was weak to absent in the cytoplasm of cancer cells in pancreatic cancer tissues, and in ductal cells and islet cells in normal pancreatic tissues.


CONCLUSIONS
COMP is preferentially expressed in degenerating acinar cells in CP and in CP-like areas in pancreatic cancer, suggesting a potential role of this molecular in acinar cell dysfunction in CP.
Liao
Quan
Q
Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, China.
Zhao
Yu-pei
YP
Kleeff
Jorg
J
Xiao
Yi
Y
Zimmermann
Arthur
A
Buchler
Markus W
MW
Friess
Helmut
H
D015152:Blotting, Northern; D015153:Blotting, Western; D064236:Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Protein; D019281:Dimerization; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D064235:Matrilin Proteins; D010179:Pancreas / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D050500:Pancreatitis, Chronic / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D064236:Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Protein; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D006023:Glycoproteins; D064235:Matrilin Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C577553:TSP5 protein, human