DUCTAL METAPLASIA OF HUMAN EXOCRINE PANCREAS AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH CARCINOMA

  • 1 January 1985
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 45  (3) , 1285-1290
Abstract
Monoclonal antibodies to cell surface markers of human exocrine pancreas were used to establish the cytotypic expression of cells forming tubular complexes in pancreases from 6 adults without carcinoma and in the nontumorous pancreatic parenchyma of 16 pancreases with carcinoma. These cells maninfested duct cell determinants. In general, the presence of cells with duct cells surface markers within the acini corresponded to the normal distribution of centroacinar cells in the 30 control human pancreases (from cadaveric donors); however, foci of abnormal acini were seen in these pancreas independent of or intermingled with the tubular complexes. The acini in these abnormal areas were formed by a core of cells and cell processes that expressed duct cell determinants. They were partially surrounded by acinar cells and showed slight or no lumenal dilation. While the causative agent(s), the cell(s) of origin and the regression and/or progression of these lesions are yet to be determined, the replacement of acini by the spectrum of lesions composed of cells with duct cell surface marker is suggested to constitute ductal metaplasia.