To determine whether junctional communication between pancreatic acinar cells contributes to their secretory function in vivo, we have compared wild-type mice, which express the gap junctional proteins connexin32 (Cx32) and connexin26, to mice deficient for the Cx32 gene. Pancreatic acinar cells from Cx32 (-/-) mice failed to express Cx32 as evidenced by reverse transcription-PCR and immunolabe...

The PTF1 (pancreas transcription factor 1) complex is a master regulator of differentiation of acinar cells, responsible for the production of digestive enzymes. In the adult pancreas, PTF1 contains two pancreas-restricted transcription factors: Ptf1a and Rbpjl. PTF1 recruits P/CAF [p300/CREB (cAMP-response-element-binding protein)-binding protein-associated factor] which acetylates Ptf1a and e...

The purpose of the review is to consider pathomechanisms of Sjögren's syndrome (SS), which could explain the female dominance (9:1), the most common age of onset (40-50 years) and targeting of the exocrine glands. Estrogens seem to specifically protect secretory glandular acinar cells against apoptosis whereas lack of estrogens during menopause and climacterium specifically leads to increased a...

Aquaporins (AQPs) are channel proteins that regulate the movement of water through the plasma membrane of secretory and absorptive cells in response to osmotic gradients. In the salivary gland, AQP5 is the major aquaporin expressed on the apical membrane of acinar cells. Previous studies have shown that the volume of saliva secreted by AQP5-deficient mice is decreased, indicating a role for AQP...

Subcellular distribution of the divalent cation-sensitive probe chlorotetracycline (CTC) was observed by fluorescence microscopy in isolated pancreatic acinar cells, dissociated hepatocytes, rod photoreceptors, and erythrocytes. In each cell type, areas containing membranes fluoresced intensely while areas containing no membranes (nuclei and zymogen granules) were not fluorescent. Cell compartm...

The biology of pancreatic acinar cell cystadenomas has not been clearly defined. However, a non-neoplastic process, caused by a cell differentiation failure leading to a cystic transformation, has been discussed, as well as a benign neoplastic lesion. Pancreatic acinar cell cystadenomas usually consist of thin-walled unilocular or multilocular cysts, and mural nodules have been described in two...

CONTEXT Acinar cell carcinoma is a rare pancreatic malignant tumor, which can be associated with a particular manifestation: pancreatic panniculitis. It presents with erythematous subcutaneous nodules located mainly on the legs. The skin lesions can precede, be concurrent with or follow the pancreatic illness. The pathogenesis is not fully understood, but it is believed to be associated with hi...

Direct lineage conversion of adult cells is a promising approach for regenerative medicine. A major challenge of lineage conversion is to generate specific cell subtypes. The pancreatic islets contain three major hormone-secreting endocrine subtypes: insulin(+) β-cells, glucagon(+) α-cells, and somatostatin(+) δ-cells. We previously reported that a combination of three transcription factors, Ng...

Supramaximal stimulation of isolated pancreatic acini with specific agonists such as CCK induces the formation of large basolateral blebs, redistributes filamentous actin, and inhibits secretion. Rho family small G proteins are well documented for their function in actin reorganization that determines cell shape and have been suggested to play a role in secretion. Here, we determined whether Rh...