Smad2/3 Linker Phosphorylation Is a Possible Marker of Pancreatic Stem/Progenitor Cells in the Regenerative Phase of Acute Pancreatitis. Issue 5 (May 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sakao, Masayuki; Sakaguchi, Yutaku; Suzuki, Ryo; Takahashi, Yu; Kishimoto, Masanobu; Fukui, Toshiro; Uchida, Kazushige; Nishio, Akiyoshi; Matsuzaki, Koichi; Okazaki, Kazuichi
• Is Part Of: Pancreas. Volume 46:Issue 5(2017)
• Publication Date: 2017-05
• Subjects: stem cell -- progenitor -- pancreas -- acute pancreatitis -- regeneration -- pSmad2/3L-Thr; Pancreas -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Pancreas -- Periodicals; Neuroendocrine tumors -- Periodicals; 616.37005
• DOI: 10.1097/MPA.0000000000000759
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0885-3177

Abstract

Abstract : Objectives: The aims of this study are to characterize cell proliferation and differentiation during regeneration after pancreatitis and pancreatic buds during development to evaluate the role of Smad2/3, phosphorylated at the specific linker threonine residues (pSmad2/3L-Thr) in positive cells. Methods: Male C57BL/6 mice received hourly intraperitoneal injections of cerulein and were analyzed after induced pancreatitis. Pancreatitis-affected tissue sections and pancreatic buds were immunostained for pSmad2/3L-Thr, with other markers thought to be stem/progenitor markers of the pancreas. Results: pSmad2/3L-Thr immunostaining-positive cells increased as the pancreatitis progressed. The expression of pSmad2/3L-Thr was seen in acinar cells and ductlike tubular complexes. These results suggest that pSmad2/3L-Thr is expressed during acinar-ductal metaplasia. Immunohistochemical colocalization of pSmad2/3L-Thr with Ki67 was never observed. pSmad2/3L-Thr–positive cells may remain in an undifferentiated state. During the pancreatic development process, pSmad2/3L-Thr was expressed as other markers. pSmad2/3L-Thr develops in duct structure of the undifferentiated cell population in the last part of viviparity that acinar structure is formed clearly. Conclusions: pSmad2/3L-Thr expression occurs during acinar-ductal metaplasia after pancreatitis and may represent the contribution of stem cells and/or progenitor cells to the differentiation of the pancreas.