Differences in the expression of xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes between islets derived from the ventral and dorsal anlage of the pancreas

Identification of Ppy-lineage cells as a novel origin of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

The Ppy gene encodes pancreatic polypeptide (PP) secreted by PP- or γ-cells, which are a subtype of endocrine cells localised mainly in the islet periphery. For a detailed characterisation of PP cells, we aimed to establish PP cell lines. To this end, we generated a mouse model harbouring the SV40 large T antigen (TAg) in the Rosa26 locus, which is expressed upon Ppy-promoter-mediated Cre-loxP recombination. Whereas Insulin1-CreERT-mediated TAg expression in beta cells resulted in insulinoma, surprisingly, Ppy-Cre-mediated TAg expression resulted in the malignant transformation of Ppy-lineage cells. These mice showed distorted islet structural integrity at 5 days of age compared with normal islets. CK19+ duct-like lesions contiguous with the islets were observed at 2 weeks of age, and mice developed aggressive pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) at 4 weeks of age, suggesting that PDAC can originate from the islet/endocrine pancreas. This was unexpected as PDAC is believed to originate from the exocrine pancreas. RNA-sequencing analysis of Ppy-lineage islet cells from 7-day-old TAg+ mice showed a downregulation and an upregulation of endocrine and exocrine genes, respectively, in addition to the upregulation of genes and pathways associated with PDAC. These results suggest that the expression of an oncogene in Ppy-lineage cells induces a switch from endocrine cell fate to PDAC. Our findings demonstrate that Ppy-lineage cells may be an origin of PDAC and may provide novel insights into the pathogenesis of pancreatic cancer, as well as possible therapeutic strategies. © 2024 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.

Cellular and molecular mechanisms coordinating pancreas development

The pancreas is an endoderm-derived glandular organ that participates in the regulation of systemic glucose metabolism and food digestion through the function of its endocrine and exocrine compartments, respectively. While intensive research has explored the signaling pathways and transcriptional programs that govern pancreas development, much remains to be discovered regarding the cellular processes that orchestrate pancreas morphogenesis. Here, we discuss the developmental mechanisms and principles that are known to underlie pancreas development, from induction and lineage formation to morphogenesis and organogenesis. Elucidating such principles will help to identify novel candidate disease genes and unravel the pathogenesis of pancreas-related diseases, such as diabetes, pancreatitis and cancer.

Differences in Immunohistochemical Expression of Xenobiotic-Metabolizing Enzymes Between Normal Pancreas, Chronic Pancreatitis and Pancreatic Cancer

Metabolic activation of many toxins, carcinogens, drugs, and anti-cancer agents is governed by the cytochrome P450 (CYP) drug-metabolizing enzyme system. To help elucidate the role of this enzyme system in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory and malignant pancreatic diseases, we compared the immunohistochemical expression pattern of 8 CYP-enzymes in 24 normal, 20 chronic pancreatitis, and 21 pancreatic cancer specimens using antibodies to CYP 1A1, 1A2, 2B6, 2C8/9/19, 2D6, 2E1, and 3A4, and the NADPH cytochrome P450 oxido-reductase (NA-OR). Compared to the normal pancreas, a higher frequency of immunopositivity for CYP 1A2, 2B6, 2C8/9/19, 2D6, and NA-OR was found in chronic pancreatitis, and of all CYPs but 1A2 in pancreatic cancer. On the other hand, CYP 1A1 and 2E1 antibody staining was less frequently observed in chronic pancreatitis. In all specimens with pancreatic polypeptide (PP)-rich regions (pancreas head), more islet cells than ductal and acinar cells were immunopositive. Moreover, the immunoreactivity of islet cells from PP-rich specimens with anti-CYP antibodies was consistently more frequent and intense than in islet cells from PP-poor areas (body and tail). Immunoreactivity for xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes was frequently observed in the normal pancreas, chronic pancreatitis, and pancreatic cancer, and displayed differences of its frequency and intensity between the 3 groups. Considering immunohistochemical evidence of enzyme expression and pancreatic blood supply together, islet cells appear to be an important and possible early site of CYP-enzyme induction in pancreatic diseases.

The complex exocrine-endocrine relationship and secondary diabetes in exocrine pancreatic disorders

The pancreas is a dual organ with exocrine and endocrine functions. The interrelationship of the endocrine-exocrine parts of the pancreas is a complex one, but recent clinical and experimental studies have expanded our knowledge. Many disorders primarily of the exocrine pancreas, often solely in the clinical realm of gastroenterologists are associated with diabetes mellitus (DM). Although, the DM becoming disorders are often grouped with type 2 diabetes, the pathogenesis, clinical manifestations and management differ. We review here data on the association of exocrine-endocrine pancreas, the many hormones of the pancreas and their possible effects on the exocrine functions followed by data on the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and management of DM in chronic pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis, pancreatic cancer, and clinical states after pancreatic surgery.

CD44v6 dependence of premetastatic niche preparation by exosomes

The metastasizing capacity of the rat pancreatic adenocarcinoma BSp73ASML (ASML(wt)) is strikingly reduced by a knockdown of CD44v4-v7 (ASML(kd)). We used this model to analyze the role of the CD44 variant isoform (CD44v) in (pre)metastatic niche formation. Intrafootpad injections of ASML(wt)-, but not ASML(kd)-conditioned medium (CM), strongly promote settlement of ASML(kd) cells in lymph nodes and lung. Fractionation of CM revealed a contribution by a soluble matrix and exosomes, where the CD44v6-containing ASML(wt)-soluble fraction can complement ASML(kd)-exosomes, but not vice versa. This implies that exosomes are the final actors, are CD44v-independent, but require a soluble matrix, which depends on CD44v. Analyzing the composition revealed that only the ASML(wt)-matrix contains c-Met and urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor. In vitro, mostly ASML(wt)-exosomes promote proliferation and induce gene expression in metastatic organ cells. However, in vivo corresponding changes in the (pre) metastatic organ are only observed when both, exosomes plus the soluble matrix, are provided. Thus, neither CD44v nor exosomes alone suffice for (pre)metastatic niche formation. Instead, CD44v suffices for assembling a soluble matrix, which allows exosomes, independent of their origin from poorly or highly metastatic cells, to modulate (pre) metastatic organ cells for tumor cell embedding and growth.

Antibodies as a probe in cytochrome P450 research

Cytochrome P450 (P450) is the superfamily of enzymes responsible for biotransformation of endobiotics and xenobiotics. However, their large isoform multiplicity, inducibility, diverse structure, widespread distribution, polymorphic expression, and broad overlapping substrate specificity make it difficult to measure the precise role of each individual P450 to the metabolism of drugs (or carcinogens) and hamper the understanding of the relationship between the genetic/environmental factors that regulate P450 phenotype and the responses of the individual P450s to drugs. The antibodies against P450s have been useful tools for the quantitative determination of expression level and contribution of the epitope-specific P450 to the metabolism of a drug or carcinogen substrate in tissues containing multiple P450 isoforms and for implications in pharmacogenetics and human risk assessment. In particular, the inhibitory antibodies are uniquely suited for reaction phenotyping that helps to predict human pharmacokinetics for clinical drug-drug interaction potential in drug discovery and development.

Role of oxidative stress in pancreatic inflammation

Reactive oxygen and reactive nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of acute and chronic pancreatitis. Clinical and basic science studies have indicated that ROS/RNS formation processes are intimately linked to the development of the inflammatory disorders. The detrimental effects of highly reactive ROS/RNS are mediated by their direct actions on biomolecules (lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids) and activation of proinflammatory signal cascades, which subsequently lead to activation of immune responses. The present article summarizes the possible sources of ROS/RNS formation and the detailed signaling cascades implicated in the pathogenesis of pancreatic inflammation, as observed in acute and chronic pancreatitis. A therapeutic ROS/RNS-scavenging strategy has been advocated for decades; however, clinical studies examining such approaches have been inconsistent in their results. Emerging evidence indicates that pancreatitis-inducing ROS/RNS generation may be attenuated by targeting ROS/RNS-generating enzymes and upstream mediators.

Glutathione-s-transferase M1 and T1 polymorphisms and associations with type 1 diabetes age-at-onset

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease characterized by pancreatic beta cell destruction involving auto-reactive T-cells, pro-inflammatory cytokines, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and loss of insulin. Monozygotic twin studies show a 20-60% concordance with T1D indicating there may be an environmental component to the disease. Glutathione (GSH) is the major endogenous antioxidant produced by the cell. GSH participates directly in the neutralization of free radicals and plays a role in the immune response. Glutathione-s-transferases (GSTs) conjugate GSH to free-radicals or xenobiotics. GST activity depletes GSH levels and may either detoxify or enhance the toxicity of a compound. Glutathione-s-transferase mu 1 (GSTM1) and glutathione-s-transferase theta 1 (GSTT1) have polymorphic homozygous deletion (null) genotypes resulting in complete absence of enzyme activity. GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotypes in Caucasian populations have frequencies of approximately 40-60% and 15-20%, respectively. GST null genotypes have been associated with susceptibility to cancer and protection against chronic pancreatitis. The aim of this study was to investigate associations with GSTM1 and GSTT1 polymorphisms in a group T1D patients and control subjects 0-35 years old who participated in the Combined Swedish Childhood Diabetes Registry and Diabetes Incidence Study (1986-1988). Results show that the presence of the GSTM1 and not the null genotype (OR, 2.13 95% CI, 1.23-3.70, p-value, 0.007, Bonferroni corrected p-value, 0.035) may be a susceptibility factor in T1D 14-20 years old. These results suggest that the GSTM1 null genotype is associated with T1D protection and T1D age-at-onset and that susceptibility to T1D may involve GST conjugation.

Exocrine pancreatic pathology in female Harlan Sprague-Dawley rats after chronic treatment with 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin and dioxin-like compounds

We evaluated the effect of chronic exposure to dioxin and dioxin-like compounds on the pancreas in female Harlan Sprague-Dawley rats. This investigation represents part of an ongoing National Toxicology Program initiative to determine the relative potency of chronic toxicity and carcinogenicity of polychlorinated dioxins, furans, and biphenyls. Animals were treated by gavage for up to 2 years with 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), 3,3,4,4,5-pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB-126), 2,3,4,7,8-pentachlorodibenzofuran (PeCDF), or a toxic-equivalency-factor (TEF) mixture of these agents; control animals received corn oil-acetone vehicle alone. A complete necropsy was performed on all animals, and a full complement of tissues was collected and examined microscopically. Administration of each of the four compounds was associated with increased incidences of several nonneoplastic changes in the exocrine pancreas, including cytoplasmic vacuolation, chronic active inflammation, atrophy, and arteritis. Low incidences, but higher than those in the historical database, of pancreatic acinar adenoma and carcinoma were seen in the TCDD, PeCDF, and TEF-mixture groups. These results indicate that the pancreatic acini are target tissues for dioxin and certain dioxin-like compounds. Key words: carcinogenesis, dioxin, furans, inflammation, pancreas, polychlorinated biphenyls.

What is the origin of pancreatic adenocarcinoma?

The concept of pancreatic cancer origin is controversial. Acinar, ductal or islet cells have been hypothesized as the cell of origin. The pros and cons of each of these hypotheses are discussed. Based on the world literature and recent observations, pancreatic cells seem to have potential for phenotypical transdifferentiation, i.e ductal-islet, ductal-acinar, acinar-ductal, acinar-islet, islet-acinar and islet-ductal cells. Although the possibility is discussed that cancer may arise from either islet, ductal or acinar cells, the circumstances favoring the islet cells as the tumor cell origin include their greater transdifferentiation potency into both pancreatic and extrapancreatic cells, the presence of a variety of carcinogen-metabolizing enzymes, some of which are present exclusively in islet cells and the growth factor-rich environment of islets.