Identification, culture, and characterization of pancreatic stellate cells in rats and humans

The role of P2X7 receptors in tissue fibrosis: a brief review

“…It has been reported that PDGF and TGF-β1 play key roles in PSC-mediated pancreatic fibrogenesis through autocrine and paracrine loops [75][76][77]. In the early stage of pancreatic damage, quiescent PSCs undergo a transformation into α-SMA expressing myofibroblast-like cells, which then produce extracellular matrix leading to proliferation and collagen production [78]. In 2012, Haanes et al [79] showed that PSCs express P2X 7 R mRNA and protein.…”

Disordered Pancreatic Inflammatory Responses and Inhibition of Fibrosis in CD39-Null Mice

“…PSC from wt and CD39-null mice were isolated by outgrowth methods using pancreatic tissue blocks according to the technique described for human PSC by Bachem et al 4 In brief, small 1−1.5mm 3 sized tissue blocks were seeded in 6-well plates in the presence of DMEM (Sigma Aldrich, St. Louis, MO, USA) containing standard cell culture medium and supplements as described above. Twenty-four hours after seeding, culture media was changed, and on day three tissue blocks removed.…”

“…expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) (>90% of cells) 4 and express desmin (20−40%). 4 Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and platelet derived growth factor (PDGF), both serve as profibrogenic mediators stimulating ECM synthesis. 4 Inflammation and repetitive pancreatic injury result in cytokine-mediated activation and oxidant damage to cells 5 with potential for increased extracellular nucleotide release and accumulation.…”

“…4 Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and platelet derived growth factor (PDGF), both serve as profibrogenic mediators stimulating ECM synthesis. 4 Inflammation and repetitive pancreatic injury result in cytokine-mediated activation and oxidant damage to cells 5 with potential for increased extracellular nucleotide release and accumulation. Extracellular nucleotides are hydrolyzed by ecto-enzymes such as nucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase-1 (CD39/NTPDase-1).…”

They're everywhere: Stellate cells in the pancreas

“…[3][4][5][6] Because these fibroblast-like cells of the pancreas were morphologically and functionally similar to hepatic stellate cells, they were named pancreatic stellate cells. 7 Now, in an exhaustively detailed study, Bachem et al 8 eloquently describe the morphological and biochemical characteristics of pancreatic stellate cells in human and rat pancreas. Pancreatic stellate cells are similar to hepatic stellate cells, both morphologically and functionally.…”