Enhancement of transforming growth factor β1 expression in the rat pancreas during regeneration from caerulein‐induced pancreatitis

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Abstract
Synthesis of extracellular matrix components is enhanced in the rat pancreas during regeneration from caerulein-induced pancreatitis. To study the involvement of transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1), one of the most potent modulators of the extracellular matrix, in the process of pancreatic regeneration we examined the expression of this gene on the transcript and protein level. Pancreatic RNA was extracted from rats killed 0h, 12h, 24h, 2, 3 and 7 days after induction of caerulein pancreatitis. Transcript levels for TGFβ1 were measured by slot–blot analysis and mRNA in situ hybridization. Total amount of TGFβ1-protein was measured using a radioligand binding assay. TGFβ1 protein was increased twofold after 24h and 48h and returned to control values 7 days after induction of pancreatitis, TGFβ1-mRNA reached maximal values (3-fold over controls) after 2 days. The largest amount of TGFβ1-mRNA was found in pancreatic acinar cells and in stromal cells. In summary, expression of TGFβ1 in acinar and stromal cells of the rat pancreas is enhanced during regeneration from caerulein-induced pancreatitis, which may indicate an involvement of TGFβ1 in the regulation of extracellular matrix regeneration in the rat pancreas after caerulein-induced pancreatitis.