AJP - Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology, Vol 250, Issue 4 440-G447, Copyright © 1986 by American Physiological Society
Pancreatic acinar cells in monolayer culture: direct trophic effects of caerulein in vitro
C. D. Logsdon and J. A. Williams
Adult mouse pancreatic acinar cells were cultured as monolayers on collagen
gels. Cells plated in medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS),
epidermal growth factor (1 nM), carbachol (1 microM), insulin (1 microM),
and corticosterone (10 nM) showed adaptive and growth responses. An
adaptive phase occurred over the first 4-5 days, during which there was an
approximately 50% decrease in the content of protein and DNA in the
cultures, and the remaining attached cells showed reduced contents of
zymogen granules. Subsequently, the cells spread out, divided, and formed
confluent monolayers by days 11-14. Cell division was indicated by a
doubling of the content of protein and DNA between days 5 and 9 and a
13-fold increase in thymidine incorporation. Microscopic examination of
14-day cultures revealed monolayers of cuboidal cells with morphological
features of pancreatic acinar cells. To determine the direct effects of
cholecystokinin on pancreatic acinar cell growth, cells were cultivated in
media lacking added hormones and containing only 2.5% FBS with or without
caerulein, a cholecystokinin analogue. Caerulein led to a 152% increase in
DNA and an 89% increase in protein at day 9. By use of a preincubation
[3H]thymidine incorporation assay, caerulein induced a dose-dependent
increase in [3H]thymidine incorporation and nuclear labeling index, which
was detectable at 0.1 nM, one-half maximal at 1 nM, and a maximal threefold
increase occurred at 10 nM concentration. The results demonstrate a direct
effect of caerulein on the pancreas to induce cell growth.
