Pancreatic Stellate Cells in Health and Disease Alpha R. Mekapogu, Srinivasa P. Pothula, Romano C. Pirola, Jeremy S. Wilson, Minoti V. Apte Pancreatic Research Group, South Western Sydney Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, The University of New South Wales, Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Sydney, Australia e-mail:
[email protected]. Version 1.0, November 17th, 2020 [DOI: 10.3998/panc.2020.08] Abstract the pancreas – chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer. In health, the process of fibrogenesis is a Pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) are resident cells well-regulated dynamic process which is of the pancreas, found in both the exocrine and necessary for regular turnover of extracellular endocrine parts of the gland. Over the two decades matrix (ECM) that allows remodeling and since these cells were first isolated and cultured maintenance of normal pancreatic architecture. from rodent and human pancreas, research in this However, during injury, the equilibrium between area has progressed at a rapid rate. Our production and degradation of fibrous tissue is knowledge of PSC biology in both health and disrupted leading to excessive deposition of disease has increased significantly. In health, extracellular matrix proteins resulting in fibrosis. PSCs are known to not only play a role in regulating normal extracellular matrix turnover but Pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) are now are also thought to have progenitor cell functions considered to be the key contributors of pancreatic as well as a role in innate immunity. The critical fibrosis (5, 11, 135). These cells were first roles of PSCs in inflammatory as well as malignant observed by Watari et al.