EXPRESSION OF TRANSFORMING GROWTH FACTOR-BETA(1) IN CHRONIC-PANCREATITIS

Transforming growth factor-beta(1) (TGF-beta(1)) is a multifunctional cytokine which modifies tissue stromal matrix synthesis, cell prolifer ation and immune function. In the present study, we have used a mouse monoclonal antibody to the latent (intracytoplasmic) form of TGF-beta( 1) to compare its expression in 144 cases of human chronic pancreatiti s (both obstructive and chronic calcifying) with that of 10 control pa ncreatic specimens. In all the control specimens, and most of those wi th chronic pancreatitis, cytoplasmic immunoreactivity was identified i n pancreatic duct and ductular epithelium, in islet cells and in vascu lar smooth muscle and endothelium. Two distinct patterns of ductular e pithelial staining emerged: in morphologically normal tissues, only in dividual distal ductular/centroacinar cells stained but in chronic pan creatitis (whether chronic calcifying or chronic obstructive) the stai ning was panductular. Positive cytoplasmic immunostaining of acinar ep ithelial cells was found in 3% of pancreatitis specimens but in none o f the normal controls. There was no staining of fibroblasts. Synthesis of TGF-beta(1) appears to be normally restricted to a population of e pithelial cells located in terminal/centroacinar regions of the ductul es (together with occasional ductal cells) whereas in chronic pancreat itis, TGF-beta(1) is expressed in most ductular and ductal epithelial cells.