Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 27, 2026
Preparing a Mice Model of Severe Acute Pancreatitis via a Combination of Caerulein and Lipopolysaccharide Intraperitoneal Injection
Published on: May 10, 2024
Immunological findings in acute and chronic pancreatitis
Archana Bhatnagar1, Jai Dev Wig, Siddartha Majumdar
1Department of Experimental Medicine and Biotechnology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh (Union Territory) 160012, India.
Insights
This study reveals altered T-cell populations and cytokine profiles in pancreatitis patients. Chronic pancreatitis (CP) shows a T-helper 1 bias, while acute pancreatitis (AP) presents a mixed immune response, highlighting immune deviation in pancreatic diseases.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cellular Biology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Mononuclear cells play a crucial role in pancreatitis.
- Analyzing cytokine production at the single-cell level aids in identifying specific cytokine-producing cell types.
- Understanding the immune cell landscape in pancreatitis is essential for disease management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of mononuclear cells and their cytokine production in acute pancreatitis (AP) and chronic pancreatitis (CP).
- To compare the immune cell profiles of AP and CP patients with healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from 30 pancreatitis patients (15 AP, 15 CP) and 12 healthy controls.
- Cells were stained for surface markers (CD3, CD4, CD8, CD25, CD14, HLA-DR) and intracellular cytokines (IFN-gamma, IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, IL-6, IL-12) using flow cytometry.
- Analysis focused on T-cell populations and cytokine production by T cells and monocytes.
Main Results:
- Pancreatitis significantly alters T-cell populations, with reduced CD4+ T cells in both AP and CP, and reduced CD8+ T cells in AP.
- T cells in CP exhibit an IL-2, IL-4 secreting pattern, while AP patients show high IL-10, IFN-gamma, and low IL-2, IL-4.
- Monocytes showed increased IL-6 production in both AP and CP, with higher IL-12 in CP, and altered HLA-DR expression.
Conclusions:
- Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is associated with T-helper 1 (Th1) cell polarization, suggesting immune deviation.
- Acute pancreatitis (AP) patients display a mixed T-cell population, indicating a complex immune response.
- Monocyte-derived pro-inflammatory cytokines are implicated in the systemic effects of pancreatitis, offering insights for clinical assessment.
Background:
In order to identify the role of mononuclear cells in pancreatitis, the immune picture at the cellular level has been studied. The cytokine production at the individual cell level in response to in vitro stimulation can help in identifying the percentage of specific cell types producing a particular cytokine.
Methods:
A total of 30 patients with acute pancreatitis (AP; n = 15) and chronic pancreatitis (CP; n = 15) were entered into the study and peripheral blood samples were drawn at the time of admission. A control group of 12 healthy individuals (age and sex matched) were also included in the study. Mononuclear cells from the peripheral blood from all three groups were separated on Ficoll gradient and labelled for surface antigens (i.e. cluster of differentiation (CD)3, CD4, CD8, CD25, CD14 and human leucocyte antigen D receptor (HLA-DR)) using monoclonal antibodies. The CD3+ and CD14+ cells were also stained for intracellular cytokines by specific monoclonal antibodies (i.e. for interferon (IFN)-gamma, interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4 & IL-10 in CD3+ cells and IL-6 and IL-12 in CD14+ cells). These fluorochrome-labelled cells were analysed on the flow cytometer.
Results:
The T-cell population is affected in pancreatitis where the CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell numbers are significantly altered. There is a marked reduction in CD4+ T cells in AP and CP. The CD8+ T cells were significantly reduced in AP. The IL-2 receptor is expressed in large numbers in AP and CP patient groups. The T cells from the CP group had a typical IL-2, IL-4 secreting pattern, while AP patients had a high IL-10, IFN-gamma and low IL-2, IL-4 population. The HLA-DR expression on monocytes differed significantly between the two groups, being strikingly reduced in chronic cases and significantly reduced in acute cases. The percentage of IL-6-producing monocytes was significantly higher in patients with AP as well as CP while IL-12 levels were higher in the CP than in the AP group.
Conclusions:
T cells in CP are polarized towards the T-helper (Th)1 phenotype while the AP patients had a mixed population. This seems to be a part of immune deviation that is associated with development of CP and IL-12 appears to be instrumental in this process. The monocytes synthesize proinflammatory cytokines, which play an important role in the local and systemic consequences of the disease. In the disease clinical assessment such a study can provide useful information about the involvement of the immuno-inflammatory system.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Chronic 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...
01:25Chronic Pancreatitis I: Introduction
01:21Chronic Pancreatitis II: Pathophysiology
01:21Acute Pancreatitis II: Pathophysiology
01:25Acute Pancreatitis I: Introduction
01:27Acute 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: