Characterization of TGF-β pathways and regulation of nerve growth factor (NGF) expression in pancreatic stellate cells

Purpose: In chronic pancreatitis (cP), which is characterized by intermittent bouts of inflammation in conjunction with severe abdominal pain a proliferation of intrapancreatic nerves was described histologically. Nerve growth factor (NGF), a member of the neurotrophin family, promotes neurite outgrowth and is involved in the development of pain. Two receptors for NGF have been described: the low-affinity NGF receptor p75 and the high-affinity tyrosine kinase receptor TrkA. The role of NGF expresssion in pancreatic stellate cells (PSC) is up to now not well defined and so are the effects of the pro-fibrogenic cy…