Pancreatic fibrogenesis: modern concepts

Abstract

Pancreatic stellate cell (PSC) is a type of pluripotent cell located between pancreatic lobules and the surrounding area of acinus. At rest (non-activated state), PSCcytoplasm contains the reserve of vitamin A (retinoids),the intermediate filaments, desmin, glial fibrillary acidic protein, nestin, neuroectodermal proteins, neural cell adhesion molecules and nerves’ growth factor. After their activation, the PSC can be transformed into myofibroblast-like cells. They lose lipid drops, containing vitamin A, anddesminand vimentin levels go down. Moreover, the proliferation and migration increase, and synthesis of intracellular matrix intensifies. A number of evidences suggest that activated PSC is the main source of the accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) protein under the pathological conditions, which lead to pancreatic fibrosis in chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer. The recent literature data have been analyzed regarding mechanisms of pancreas fibrosis and role of PSCin fibrogenesis. The results of studies of the functions of pancreatic stellate cells upon normal and pathological conditions (such as acute and chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer) have been presented, the variants of pancreatic fibrosis and its mechanisms during aging have been described.The results of recent studies of PSC biological properties have been summarized, including their participation in the exosomes’ synthesis, processes of cellular aging, epithelial mesenchymal transformation and metabolism. Particular importance have been emphasized for the developments of antifibrotic therapy, based on the existing theoretical knowledge and results of experimental studies.