In vitro human experimental model for pancreatic acinar dedifferentiation
Commonly used acronym: In vitro human ADM culture model
Scope of the method
- Animal health
- Human health
- Basic Research
- In vitro - Ex vivo
- Human derived cells / tissues / organs
Description
- acinar dedifferentiation
- acinar-to-ductal metaplasia
- pancreatic cancer
Loss of acinar differentiation drives pancreatic cancer. An established human in vitro experimental model is used in our lab to study this process. Pancreatic exocrine cells from human donors are placed in suspension culture in Advanced RPMI medium supplemented with 5% heat-inactivated fetal bovine serum, and undergo stress due to isolation, which causes the acinar cells to lose their typical characteristics and eventually transdifferentiate into ductal-like cells. This enables us to study the process of acinar dedifferentiation without the use of any in vivo model. If exocrine cells are placed in monolayer culture, they acquire a ductal-like phenotype, while in suspension culture they acquire a more progenitor-like phenotype with an activation of a senescence program.
No special lab equipment is needed except for suspension culture plates.
- Published in peer reviewed journal
Pros, cons & Future potential
The experimental model provides excellent foundation to study the first step in pancreatic cancer formation.
Primary pancreatic exocrine cells grow in spheroid-like structures, which makes it hard to dissociate and manipulate. They are very sensitive to stress and a high rate of cell death can be observed the first days after seeding. Daily culture medium refreshments are needed to have a healthy culture.
References, associated documents and other information
Baldan et al., 2019 (Sci Rep) Mfopou JK et al., 2016 (Biosci Rep) Houbracken et al., 2012 (BMC Biotechnol.) Houbracken et al., 2011 (Gastroenterology)
Contact person
Elyne BackxOrganisations
Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB)Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy
Belgium
Brussels Region