Roles of pancreatic stellate cells in the pathogenesis of pancreatic fibrosis in rats

Objective To observe the activation of pancreatic stellate cells (PSC) during the formation of pancreatic fibrosis induced by the pancreatic injection of trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS). Meanwhile, the effects of PSC-related factors, such as transforming growth factor β 1 (TGF-β 1), collagen Ⅰ and MMP-2 on the pathogenesis of pancreatic fibrosis in rats were also evaluated. Methods Pancreatic fibrosis model in rats was induced by the injection of 2% TNBS in ethanolate-phosphate buffer solution into the pancreatic duct. The rats were sacrificed and the pancreata were removed at the 72nd hour, 3rd week, 4th week, 5th week, 6th week and 7th week after the operation respectively. Expressions of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), transforming growth factor β 1 (TGF-β 1), collagen Ⅰ and MMP-2 were determined by either immunohistochemistry or RT-PCR, or Western blot respectively. The ultrastructure of pancreas was studied by electron microscope at different time points. Results The inflammation, swelling and necrosis were the major pathological changes of the pancreas at the early stage after the injection of 2% TNBS. Subsequently, the fibrotic manifestations such as proliferation of the fibrosis, atrophy of vesicles, deposition of collagen because prominent at the 3rd week after the operation, which peaked at 4th week. The expression of TGF-β 1 was increased significantly at the 3rd week after the operation and reached maximum at the 4th week. The expression of α-SMA, which indicated the activation of PSC, could be detected at the 3rd week and also reached the peak value at the 4th week. After wards, it was decreased gradually. During the first 72 hours, the expression of MMP-2 mRNA was increased significantly and then was fluctuated but still higher than that in normal rats. The deposition of type Ⅰ collagen was increased in the areas of fibrotic tissues. Conclusions PSC might involve in the courses of the development and progression of TNBS induced pancreatic fibrosis in rats. This action was achieved via the activation of PSC by TGF-β 1, the production of those extracellular matrix metabolic associated enzymes such as the synthesis of collagen Ⅰ and the secretion of MMP-2.