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A Mouse Model for Chronic Pancreatitis via Bile Duct TNBS Infusion
Published on: February 28, 2021
Phosphatidylserine receptor in chronic pancreatitis: evidence for a macrophage independent role
Jörg Köninger1, Peter Balaz, Markus Wagner
1Department of General Surgery, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
Objective:
This study analyzes the role of phosphatidylserine receptor (PSR) in chronic pancreatitis.
Summary Background Data:
In chronic pancreatitis, destruction of parenchyma comes along with infiltration of lymphocytes and macrophages. The phosphatidylserine receptor is expressed on the surface of macrophages and is crucial for the recognition and engulfment of apoptotic cells. In the present study, we investigated the role of this receptor and its relation to apoptosis in chronic pancreatitis.
Methods:
The expression and localization of PSR were analyzed by Northern blot analysis, RT-PCR, Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry. Apoptosis was detected by the TUNEL method, and the RNA protection assay (RPA) was used to compare activation of apoptosis with PSR mRNA expression levels. In addition, the molecular data were related to clinicopathological parameters.
Results:
PSR mRNA expression was low to absent in normal pancreatic tissue samples. In human chronic pancreatitis, increased expression of PSR mRNA was present in 12 of 29 samples (41%). Up-regulation of PSR could be confirmed by Western blot analysis. In chronic pancreatitis tissue, PSR immunoreactivity was present in all islets, in some ductal cells and in macrophages. The RNA protection assay revealed high mRNA levels of the antiapoptotic genes bcl-2 and bfl-1 (P < 0.05) in chronic pancreatitis tissues with high PSR mRNA expression. The TUNEL apoptosis in situ detection method showed positive signals in some redifferentiating acinar cells and focally in acinar cells adjacent to stromal fibroblasts in chronic pancreatitis tissue samples. The distribution pattern of PSR on pancreatic cells in chronic pancreatitis corresponded to a great extent with regions of high apoptotic activity.
Conclusions:
We show for the first time the presence of PSR in chronic pancreatitis on pancreatic cells other than macrophages in regions with high apoptotic activity. The coexpression and colocalization of this gene with other apoptosis mediators suggest its involvement in apoptotic processes. However, in chronic pancreatitis PSR is not only involved in phagocytosis of apoptotic cells by macrophages.
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Chronic Pancreatitis I: Introduction
Pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas, which occurs when the immune system becomes active and causes swelling, pain, and disruptions in organ function. Pancreatitis can manifest as either an acute or chronic condition.
Acute pancreatitis arises suddenly and lasts for a brief duration, while chronic pancreatitis is a long-term affliction...
Chronic Pancreatitis I: Introduction
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Assessment:
Acute Pancreatitis I: Introduction
Acute pancreatitis is characterized by rapid inflammation of the pancreas, often caused by factors like gallstone blockage or excessive alcohol consumption. Chronic pancreatitis, on the other hand, is a slow, progressive inflammation that may result from long-term alcohol abuse, obstructions in the pancreatic duct, or genetic factors.
The causes of acute pancreatitis include:

