Localization of the human hedgehog-interacting protein (Hip) in the normal and diseased pancreas

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an aggressive malignancy with a poor prognosis. Previously, it has been shown that Indian hedgehog (Ihh) and its two signaling receptors patched (Ptc) and smoothened (Smo) are involved in the pathogenesis of chronic pancreatitis (CP) and PDAC. In the current study we analyzed the expression, distribution, and function of another component of this signaling pathway, the human hedgehog-interacting protein (Hip), in the normal pancreas, CP and PDAC utilizing real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (QRT-PCR), immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, Hip siRNA transfection, cell growth assays, and cell cycle analysis. By QRT-PCR, Hip mRNA levels were fifteenfold and fourteenfold increased in CP (n = 22) and PDAC (n = 31) tissues, respectively, compared to normal pancreatic tissues (n=20) and correlated with glioma associated antigen (Gli1) but not Ptc or Protein kinase A (PKA) mRNA levels. Only SU-8686 and BxPC-3 pancreatic cancer cells expressed Hip mRNA, whereas expression was below the level of detection in the other six pancreatic cancer cell lines tested. As shown by immunohistochemistry, Hip was expressed in normal pancreatic tissues mainly in the cytoplasm of islet cells and in smooth muscle cells of blood vessels. In contrast, in CP and PDAC there was a different distribution and staining intensity within the islets. Moreover, Hip immunoreactivity was observed in the tubular complexes, PanIN 1-3 lesions, as well as in pancreatic cancer cells. Incubation of pancreatic cancer cell lines with recombinant Hip revealed a growth inhibitory effect in SU-8686 and Capan-1 pancreatic cancer cells and no effect on cell growth in the other tested cell lines. In addition, silencing of Hip expression using specific siRNA molecules increased the growth of SU-8686 cells. In conclusion, Hip is expressed in the normal pancreas, CP and PDAC tissues. The different pattern of Hip expression and abnormal localization in the diseased pancreas suggest that the enhanced activation of hedgehog signaling in CP and PDAC is-at least in part-due to the aberrant responsiveness and expression of Hip in these diseases.