Activation and potential role of pancreatic stellate cell in human pancreatic carcinoma

Objective To investigate the implication and potential role of pancreatic stellate cells (PSC) as a contributing factor in human pancreatic carcinoma. Methods Twenty four pancreatic carcinoma, paracancerous tissue specimens and three chronic pancreatitis tissue specimens were collected from patients who underwent surgical resection. The expression of α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA) and desmin of the tissue specimens were detected by PAP immunohistochemical staining method. Results The expression of α-SMA was detected in all pancreatic carcinoma, paracancerous tissue and chronic pancreatitis tissues. Furthermore, α-SMA expression in the tissues of pancreatic cancer was stronger than that in chronic pancreatitis. Interestingly, the positive rate with immunohistochemical staining of desmin in 24 pancreatic cancer specimens was 83.3% (20/24), but naught in 3 chronic pancreatitis cases. Conclusions PSC may be implicated in the development and progression of pancreatic cancer.