Objective To investigate the role of Notch signaling pathway in pancreas development and pancreatic cancer. Methods The related literatures were reviewed and analyzed. Results Notch signaling played a role early in development by maintaining pancreatic epithelial cells in a progenitor state and delaying their differentiation until timely appropriate. Notch signaling was reactivated in the initiation and progression of pancreatic cancer. Conclusion Notch signaling pathway plays an important role in the pancreas development. Sustained Notch signaling activity promotes the progression of pancreatic cancer, and may be one of major factors in the initiation of pancreatic cancer.
ObjectiveTo investigate the growth characteristics of pancreatic cancer cells in the twodimensional culture system (monolayer) and threedimensional culture system (type Ⅰ collagen and extracellular matrix gel). MethodsThree pancreatic cancer cell lines (SW1990, PCT, and ASPC1) were cultured in monolayer, type Ⅰ collagen, and extracellular matrix gel, respectively. The growth patterns were observed, growth curves were detected by CCK8 test, and the cell cycle distributions were analyzed by propidium iodide staining. Results In the twodimensional culture system, cells grew in monolayer. In the type Ⅰ collagen and the ECM gel threedimensional culture system, cells formed multicellular spheroids (MCS), of which the growth rates were slower than those of the cells in monolayer. The proportions of S phase of SW1990, PCT, and ASPC1 cells in twodimensional culture system were significantly more than those in the type Ⅰ collagen on 4 d and 8 d 〔(29.6±3.0)% vs. (18.2±5.1)%, (33.6±2.1)% vs. (14.5±3.2)%, (33.1±1.8)% vs. (24.7±2.6)%; Plt;0.05〕, while the difference of proportion of three cell lines in G2/M phase was not different between twodimensional culture system and type Ⅰ collagen (Pgt;0.05). The proportions of G0/G1 phase of SW1990 and PCT cells cultured in the type Ⅰ collagen on 4 d and 8 d and ASPC1 cells cultured in the type Ⅰ collagen on 4 d were significant more than those cultured in twodimensional culture system (Plt;0.05). The proportions of S phase of ASPC1 cells and SW1990 cells cultured in the type Ⅰ collagen on 4 d were significant more than those cultured in the type Ⅰ collagen on 8 d (Plt;0.05). ConclusionsThe characteristics of pancreatic cancer cells in twodimensional and threedimensional culture systems are different. MCS culture system can better mimic the in vivo growth environment of cells in tumors.
【Abstract】 Objective To detect the expression of lung resistance protein (LRP) and investigate its significance in pancreatic carcinoma cell lines (SW1990, PCT-2, PCT-3, PCT-4, Aspc-1, Capan-1, Mia-PaCa-2 and Panc-1). Methods Reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) and immunocytochemistry (ICC) were carried out to investigate the expression of LRP. Results LRP mRNA was absent in PCT-2 cell line by RT-PCR. Mild to moderate expression level was found in other pancreatic carcinoma cell lines. PCT-4, Aspc-1 and Panc-1 presented the highest LRP mRNA expression level, in contrast, SW1990, PCT-3, Capan-1 and Mia-PaCa-2 showed moderate LRP mRNA expression. The median value was 0.56±0.33. LRP was further validated by ICC. Absent to weak protein expression of LRP was found in PCT-2 and PCT-3. Overexpressed LRP was present in SW1990, Capan-1 and Aspc-1, furthermore, the highest expression of LRP was found in Panc-1, Mia-PaCa-2 and PCT-4 cell lines. Conclusion All these data showed that LRP might play an important role in multidrug resistance of pancreatic carcinoma.
【Abstract】Objective To investigate the possible mechanism of gemcitabine resistance in pancreatic cancer chemotherapy. Methods Recent literatures about the genes and signal pathways those play key roles in mediating gemcitabine chemotherapy resistance of pancreatic cancer were collected and reviewed.Results Oncogenes like c-Src and bcl-XL, inflammation pathway of NF-κB, cytokines like IL-1β and NO are closely related with the chemoresistance； the relationship between multiple drug resistance relevant genes like MDR1/P-gP and the resistance to gemcitabine remains to be clarified. Conclusion Genes and pathways like c-Src, bcl-XL, NF-κB, etc. might become new targets to increase the chemotherapeutic sensitivity of pancreatic cancer, however, the mechanism of pancreatic cancer chemotherapy resistance still needs further to be studied.