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Chemical and Physical Biology Program

Differential Cell Susceptibilities to Kras in the Setting of Obstructive Chronic Pancreatitis

AUTHORS

Shi C , Pan FC , Kim JN , Washington MK , Padmanabhan C , Meyer CT , Kopp JL , Sander M , Gannon M , Beauchamp RD , Wright CV , Means AL , . Cellular and molecular gastroenterology and hepatology. 2019 07 13; ().

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Activating mutation of the KRAS gene is common in some cancers, such as pancreatic cancer, but rare in other cancers. Chronic pancreatitis is a predisposing condition for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), but how it synergizes with KRAS mutation is not known.

METHODS: We used a mouse model to express an activating mutation of Kras in conjunction with obstruction of the main pancreatic duct to recapitulate a common etiology of human chronic pancreatitis. Because the cell of origin of PDAC is not clear, Kras mutation was introduced into either duct cells or acinar cells.

RESULTS: Although Kras expression in both cell types was protective against damage-associated cell death, chronic pancreatitis induced p53, p21, and growth arrest only in acinar-derived cells. Mutant duct cells did not elevate p53 or p21 expression and exhibited increased proliferation driving the appearance of PDAC over time.

CONCLUSIONS: One mechanism by which tissues may be susceptible or resistant to KRAS-initiated tumorigenesis is whether they undergo a p53-mediated damage response. In summary, we have uncovered a mechanism by which inflammation and intrinsic cellular programming synergize for the development of PDAC.