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Updated: May 7, 2026
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Preparation of Pancreatic Acinar Cells for the Purpose of Calcium Imaging, Cell Injury Measurements, and Adenoviral Infection
Published on: July 5, 2013
Extracellular calcium sensing receptor in human pancreatic cells.
G Z Rácz1, A Kittel, D Riccardi
1Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, H-1083 Budapest, Hungary.
Gut
|October 16, 2002
Summary
The calcium sensing receptor (CaR) is present in the human pancreas and may regulate pancreatic juice composition and ductal cell proliferation. This discovery offers new insights into pancreatic function.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Gastroenterology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- The calcium sensing receptor (CaR) is crucial for calcium homeostasis and found in various tissues.
- Its role in the pancreas, however, remains largely unclear.
- This study investigates CaR presence and function in the human pancreas.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the presence and localization of the CaR in the human pancreas.
- To investigate the functional role of CaR in pancreatic cells.
Main Methods:
- Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to detect CaR mRNA.
- Immunostaining for protein localization.
- Functional assays in Capan-1 cells measuring intracellular calcium and cell proliferation.
Main Results:
- CaR is highly expressed in human pancreatic ducts, acinar cells, islets, nerves, and blood vessels.
- CaR is present in both normal and neoplastic pancreatic tissues.
- Functional CaR in Capan-1 cells mobilizes intracellular calcium and inhibits proliferation.
Conclusions:
- CaR likely plays multiple roles in the pancreas, including regulating pancreatic juice secretion and electrolyte balance.
- CaR on ductal membranes may prevent calcium salt precipitation.
- CaR may also regulate pancreatic ductal cell proliferation.
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