Epigenetic mechanisms drive cellular reprogramming in pancreatic carcinogenesis

Objectives Pancreatic acinar cells show an immense cellular plasticity in pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer development. Compared to differentiated acinar cells, progenitor-like acinar-to-ductal metaplasia (ADM) and embryonic acinar cells are highly susceptible towards oncogenic Kras-driven cellular transformation. Given that inflammation-triggered ADM occurs in the absence of genetic mutations, associated transcriptional changes are likely induced by epigenetic modifications. To define epigenetic reprogramming in pancreatic tumor development, we investigated global changes in histone modifications in an in vitro carcinogenic sequence.
Source: Pancreatology - Category: Gastroenterology Authors: Tags: Session 11. Molecular mechanisms of pancreatic cancer - free papers Source Type: research