Expression of transforming growth factor beta by small duct epithelium in chronic, cancer-associated, obstructive pancreatitis: an in situ hybridization study and review of the literature.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) is a dominant mediator of pancreatic fibrosis. The objective of this study was to identify cellular sources of TGF-beta mRNA and compare the results with previous immunohistochemical/in situ hybridization studies.

METHODS:

In situ hybridization of TGF-beta was conducted for 9 human tissues of chronic obstructive pancreatitis (COP) and 2 control specimens. By classifying these 9 COP tissues into 3 fibrosis phases by the amount of fibrotic space, histopathologic changes were examined for each fibrosis phase. Whether or not TGF-beta-positive cells were closely distributed to fibrosis was also investigated in control and COP cases.

RESULTS:

Three cases were categorized in early, intermediate, and advanced stages of fibrosis. Transforming growth factor beta mRNA was identified for a part of small duct epithelia, that is, intercalated ductule cells, centroacinar cells, and/or metaplastic ductal structures adjacent to acinar cells. The number of TGF-beta-positive cells was greater in COP cases than in controls. In controls and in the early stage of fibrosis, no fibrosis was seen near TGF-beta-positive cells.

CONCLUSIONS:

Small duct epithelia are the main cellular sources of TGF-beta in COP, and many of them may be working for COP fibrosis either directly or indirectly.

• Authors: Yuki Fukumura, Koichi Suda, Keiko Mitani, Masaru Takase, Toshio Kumasaka
• Journal: Pancreas (Pancreas) Vol. 35 Issue 4 Pg. 353-7 (Nov 2007) ISSN: 1536-4828 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 18090242 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)

Chemical References

• RNA, Messenger
• Transforming Growth Factor beta

Topics

• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Disease Progression
• Epithelial Cells (chemistry, pathology)
• Female
• Fibrosis
• Humans
• Immunohistochemistry
• In Situ Hybridization
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Pancreas, Exocrine (chemistry, pathology)
• Pancreatic Ducts (chemistry, pathology)
• Pancreatic Neoplasms (chemistry, complications, genetics, pathology)
• Pancreatitis, Chronic (etiology, genetics, metabolism, pathology)
• RNA, Messenger (analysis)
• Transforming Growth Factor beta (analysis, genetics)