Effects of Neuropeptide Substance P on Proliferation and β-Cell Differentiation of Adult Pancreatic Ductal Cells

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

Purpose: The pancreas is innervated by sensory nerves, parasympathetic and sympathetic nerves. The classical neurotransmitters, acetylcholine and noradrenaline, and some kind of neuropeptides are contained in the terminals of these nerves. Neuropeptides substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) co-released from the primary sensory fibers have been identified as the key neurotransmitters in pancreas. Pancreatic ductal epithelium cells are one of the important sources of the pancreatic islet β-cell neogenesis. We hypothesized that SP and CGRP might play a role on proliferation of ductal cells and differentiation of ductal cells toward the β-cell neogenesis. Methods: Primary ductal cells of rat pancreas at the third passage (P3) were used. The identification of P3 cells were confirmed with flow cytometry analysis and immunostaining by CK19 (the ductal cell marker). Proliferation of ductal cells was verified by CCK-8 assay and Ki67 immunostaining. Differentiation of ductal cells was determined with immunostaining and flow cytometry. Possible mechanism was explored by testing the key proteins of Wnt signaling using Western blot analysis. Results: Our data showed that SP but not CGRP promoted proliferation of ductal cells. Moreover, NK-1 receptor antagonist L-703,606 blocked the SP-induced stimulation of proliferation. The results of Western blot analysis showed tha

Evidence level

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

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