Alteration of fibroblast growth factor and receptor expression after acutepancreatitis in humans

After an episode of acute pancreatitis (AP) in humans, the pancreas exhibit s varying degrees of fibrosis, acinar cell regeneration, and the formation of tubular complexes. The mechanisms underlying these changes are unknown. By using Northern blot analysis and immunohistochemistry, we assessed the e xpression and distribution of Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) and their re ceptor in human pancreatic tissues obtained from patients with AP. By compa rison with the normal pancreas, acidic FGF (aFGF) and FGF-receptor 1 (FGFR- 1, flg), mRNA levels were significantly decreased in human pancreatic tissu es, which were obtained similar to 8 days after onset of AP. In the normal pancreas, acidic FGF, basic FGF, and FGFR-1 immunoreactivity was present at law to moderate levels in a heterogeneous pattern in the cytoplasm of acin ar and ductal cells. Two patterns of immunoreactivity were observed in the AP group. In regions that have undergone necrosis, there was complete loss of aFGF, bFGF, and FGFR-1 immunostaining. In contrast, in the regenerating areas, aFCF and bFGF were readily evident in exocrine-type cells, in associ ation with a marked increase in FGFR-1 immunoreactivity. These findings ind icate that FGF/receptor expression is altered after AP, and raise the possi bility that FGFs may be involved in the process of pancreatic exocrine rege neration during recovery from AP.