Pancreas-specific ablation of beta1 integrin induces tissue degeneration by disrupting acinar cell polarity.

ABSTRACT:

Background & aims

Integrin contact with basement membrane is a major determinant of epithelial cell polarity. beta1 integrin heterodimers are the primary receptors for basement membrane in pancreatic acinar cells, which function to synthesize and directionally secrete digestive enzymes into a central lumen. Aberrant acinar secretion and exposure of the parenchyma to digestive enzyme activity lead to organ damage and pancreatitis.

Methods

beta1 integrin conditional knockout mice were crossed to Ptf1a-Cre mice to ablate beta1 integrin in the pancreas. Histopathology of aged and cerulein-treated mice were assessed by histology and immunocytochemistry. Directional secretion was determined in vitro by FM1-43 loading with cerulein stimulation.

Results

Pancreas-specific abla

SUBMITTER: Bombardelli L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2883624 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature