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Bone marrow-derived pancreatic stellate cells in rats
Gisela Sparmann1, Marie-Luise Kruse, Nicole Hofmeister-Mielke
1Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Rostock, 18057 Rostock, Germany. gisela.sparmann@med.uni-rostock.de
Cell Research
|January 27, 2010
Summary
Pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) can originate from bone marrow (BM) progenitor cells. Following injury, the pancreas recruits more BM-derived cells, suggesting PSCs are renewable and play a role in pancreatic repair.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Gastroenterology
- Hematology
Background:
- Pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) are key players in pancreatic fibrosis pathogenesis.
- The origin and turnover of PSCs, especially after pancreatic injury, remain poorly understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential bone marrow (BM) origin of pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs).
- To determine if BM-derived cells contribute to the PSC population after pancreatic injury and regeneration.
Main Methods:
- Established a stable hematopoietic chimerism model in rats using enhanced green fluorescence protein (eGFP)-expressing BM cells.
- Induced acute pancreatic inflammation using dibutyltin dichloride (DBTC) and monitored recovery over 4 weeks.
- Quantified eGFP-positive PSCs in healthy and recovering pancreases using FACS analysis.
Main Results:
- In healthy chimeric rats, approximately 7% of PSCs were eGFP-positive, indicating a baseline BM contribution.
- Following DBTC-induced inflammation and recovery, the incidence of eGFP-positive PSCs significantly increased to a mean of 18%.
- This increase suggests enhanced recruitment of BM-derived progenitor cells to the pancreas after injury.
Conclusions:
- Bone marrow-derived progenitor cells serve as a source for renewable pancreatic stellate cells.
- The elevated PSC numbers post-regeneration indicate significant recruitment of BM-derived cells and/or re-quiescence after activation.
