Hedgehog signaling is required for effective regeneration of exocrine pancreas.
Although both endocrine and the exocrine pancreas display a significant capacity for tissue regeneration and renewal, the existence of progenitor cells in the adult pancreas remains uncertain. Using a model of cerulein-mediated injury and repair, we demonstrate that mature exocrine cells, defined by expression of an Elastase1 promoter, actively contribute to regenerating pancreatic epithelium through formation of metaplastic ductal intermediates. Acinar cell regeneration is associated with activation of Hedgehog (Hh) signaling, as assessed by up-regulated expression of multiple pathway components, as well as activation of a Ptch-lacZ reporter allele. Using both pharmacologic and genetic techniques, we also show that the ability of mature exocrine cells to accomplish pancreatic regeneration is impaired by blockade of Hh signaling. Specifically, attenuated regeneration in the absence of an intact Hh pathway is characterized by persistence of metaplastic epithelium expressing markers of pancreatic progenitor cells, suggesting an inhibition of redifferentiation into mature exocrine cells. Given the known role of Hh signaling in exocrine pancreatic cancer, these findings may provide a mechanistic link between injury-induced activation of pancreatic progenitors and subsequent pancreatic neoplasia.
Fendrich
Volker
V
Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
Esni
Farzad
F
Garay
Maria Veronica R
MV
Feldmann
Georg
G
Habbe
Nils
N
Jensen
Jan Nygaard
JN
Dor
Yuval
Y
Stoffers
Doris
D
Jensen
Jan
J
Leach
Steven D
SD
Maitra
Anirban
A
D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000378:metabolism; D002108:Ceruletide; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D017930:Genes, Reporter; D053823:Hedgehog Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D008679:Metaplasia; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D064231:Nestin; D046790:Pancreas, Exocrine / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D010183:Pancreatic Ducts / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D010196:Pancreatic Elastase / Q000378:metabolism; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012038:Regeneration / Q000187:drug effects; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D000072086:Smoothened Receptor; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D013997:Time Factors; D014704:Veratrum Alkaloids / Q000494:pharmacology
D053823:Hedgehog Proteins; D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; C577485:Nes protein, mouse; D064231:Nestin; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; C491022:Smo protein, mouse; D000072086:Smoothened Receptor; D014704:Veratrum Alkaloids; D002108:Ceruletide; D010196:Pancreatic Elastase; C000541:cyclopamine