Proinflammatory Epithelial Cells as a Therapeutic Target in Chronic Pancreatitis
Abstract
The focus of our study is the role of de-differentiated exocrine acinar cells in perpetuating inflammation and tissue injury in chronic pancreatitis. We hypothesize that the pro-differentiation transcription factor Ptf1a promotes recovery from acute pancreatitis, in part through secretion of anti-inflammatory signals such as FGF21, and that downregulation of Ptf1a in chronic pancreatitis leads to sustained inflammation. We have performed experiments to further establish the chronic pancreatitis susceptibility model in Ptf1a-knockout mice, and we have begun rescue experiments in which we try to reverse this phenotype by treatment of Ptf1a-knockout mice with FGF21. Progress has been notably slower than expected, however, owing primarily to turnover of personnel. Nonetheless, we have established the essential conditions required to perform our key experiments, and also generated the required compound mutant mouse strains needed for this work, which we anticipate completing in the near future.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 2019
- Accession Number
- AD1086346
Entities
People
- Lewis C. Murtaugh
Organizations
- University of Utah