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Updated: Aug 18, 2026
Isolation and Culture of Mouse Primary Pancreatic Acinar Cells
Published on: August 13, 2013
Expression of STAT3 and SOCS3 in pancreatic acinar cells
Linda C Vona-Davis1, Krista A Frankenberry, Usman Waheed
1Department of Surgery, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia 26506-9238, USA. lvdavis@hsc.wvu.edu
Background:
The signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) and suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) pathways are involved in organ inflammation. In the pancreas, however, the STAT3 and SOCS3 response to inflammatory stimuli is unknown. Therefore, we hypothesized that mRNA expression for these signaling proteins would be induced in response to pro-inflammatory mediators TNFalpha and LPS. Because activation of STAT3 and SOCS3 is also linked to cytokine stimulation, we tested TNFalpha and LPS, either alone or in combination with IL-1beta or IL-6 in an in vitro model using rat pancreatic acinar cells.
Methods:
Rat pancreatic acinar cells (AR42J) were treated with combinations of LPS (10 microg/ml) or TNFalpha (10, 100, or 200 ng/ml) in the presence or absence of IL-1beta or IL-6 for 15, 30, 45, 60, 180, or 360 min. At each time point, total RNA was purified and analyzed via RT-PCR for STAT3 and SOCS3 mRNA expression.
Results:
LPS and TNFalpha activated STAT3 and SOCS3 in pancreatic acinar cells. STAT3 mRNA expression was significantly (P < 0.01) increased above controls without further stimulation by IL-6 or IL1-beta. Significant increases in SOCS3 expression were observed with LPS + IL-6 at 30, 45, 60, 180, min (P < 0.05). SOCS3 mRNA expression with LPS + IL-1beta treatment was maximal by 1 h (P < 0.05). Enhanced STAT3 expression was evident by 3 h with TNFalpha alone (P < 0.01). The addition of cytokines kept STAT3 mRNA levels high. At 200 ng/ml TNFalpha, SOCS3 mRNA levels were increased, but significantly reduced in the presence of IL-1beta or IL-6 (P < 0.05).
Conclusions:
We have shown that LPS and TNFalpha are potent mediators of STAT3 and SOCS3 expression in the pancreas and that the cytokines IL-6 and IL-1beta are indirectly involved in the signaling pathway. Alteration of the STAT pathway should be explored as a therapeutic target for treatment of pancreatic inflammation.
Insights
Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) activate signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) pathways in pancreatic acinar cells. These findings suggest targeting the STAT pathway for pancreatic inflammation therapies.
Area of Science:
- Cellular biology
- Molecular biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) and suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) pathways are implicated in organ inflammation.
- The specific response of STAT3 and SOCS3 pathways to inflammatory stimuli in the pancreas remains largely uncharacterized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of STAT3 and SOCS3 pathways in pancreatic acinar cells.
- To determine if pro-inflammatory mediators like TNFα and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induce mRNA expression of STAT3 and SOCS3.
- To examine the influence of cytokines IL-1β and IL-6 on these pathways.
Main Methods:
- Rat pancreatic acinar cells (AR42J) were treated with LPS or TNFα, alone or with IL-1β or IL-6.
- Cells were analyzed for STAT3 and SOCS3 mRNA expression via RT-PCR at various time points (15–360 min).
Main Results:
- LPS and TNFα significantly induced STAT3 and SOCS3 mRNA expression in pancreatic acinar cells.
- IL-6 and IL-1β showed complex modulatory effects on SOCS3 expression, with some combinations enhancing and others reducing it.
- Cytokines maintained elevated STAT3 mRNA levels when combined with TNFα.
Conclusions:
- LPS and TNFα are potent inducers of STAT3 and SOCS3 expression in the pancreas.
- IL-6 and IL-1β play an indirect role in the STAT signaling pathway within pancreatic acinar cells.
- Modulating the STAT pathway presents a potential therapeutic strategy for pancreatic inflammation.
