Evidence for epithelial-mesenchymal transition in adult human pancreatic exocrine cells.

It has been shown that adult pancreatic ductal cells can dedifferentiate and act as pancreatic progenitors. Dedifferentiation of epithelial cells is often associated with the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). In this study, we investigated the occurrence of EMT in adult human exocrine pancreatic cells both in vitro and in vivo.

Growth of putative progenitors of type II pneumocytes in culture of human cystic fibrosis alveoli.

Alveolar type II pneumocytes are thought to be progenitor cells capable of self-renewal and differentiation into type I pneumocytes. Nevertheless, the existence of an alveolar stem cell has been postulated. In lungs from patients with cystic fibrosis, the alveolar epithelium is damaged with ulceration and subsequent regeneration.

Internalization of indium-labeled LDL through a lipid chelating anchor in human pancreatic-cancer cells as a potential radiopharmaceutical for tumor localization.

Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) labeled with indium via a lipid-chelating agent, the bis(stearylamide) of diethylenetri-aminepentaacetic acid (L), were evaluated as a potential radiopharmaceutical (111In-L-LDL) for tumor localization by studying their internalization in human pancreatic cancer cells (Capan-1). Using Dil-LDL (1,1'-dioctadecyl-3,3,3',3'-tetramethylindodicarbocyanine perchlorate-LDL), this cell line was shown to bind human LDL with a high-affinity saturable component and a low-affinity non-saturable (40%) component. The single saturable high-affinity binding site had a KD of 27.

Expression of two FGF-2 isoforms in pancreatic acinar cells (AR4-2J). Intracellular localization and role in the regulation of the extracellular matrix biosynthesis.

Fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2) is a multifunctional growth factor. In cells producing this factor, FGF-2 is synthesized as different molecular weight isoforms lacking the signal peptide sequence for secretion. All forms are highly concentrated in cells.

Calcium phosphate deposits in domes of human pancreatic adenocarcinoma (Capan-1) cell cultures.

Human pancreatic cells of the Capan-1 line form domes in culture during the stationary growth stage. The domes are thought to be a result of the transport of water and electrolytes by the Capan-1 cells. In older Capan-1 cultures, the epithelial sheets formed thickenings from several layers of cells of which the outermost ones were joined by tight type junctions.