In:
Journal of Histochemistry & Cytochemistry, SAGE Publications, Vol. 50, No. 4 ( 2002-04), p. 549-555
Abstract:
Elevated levels of extracellular ATP have been observed in many tumors. We have localized NTPDase1/CD39, one of the principal extracellular nucleotide-hydrolyzing enzymes, in normal and cancerous human pancreas. NTPDase/E-ATPDase activity was demonstrated with an enzyme histochemical technique on cryosections of human pancreas. Acinar and duct epithelial cells were devoid of E-ATPDase activity in both normal and transformed tissue. Endothelial cells and smooth muscle around blood vessels and larger ducts showed strong activity. Nerves, connective tissue, and the β-cells of the islets were also stained. In cancerous tissue this activity was diminished in the smooth muscle around the ducts and was absent from newly formed connective tissue. Immunostaining for CD39 supported these results but revealed the presence of inactive CD39 in the duct epithelial cells. We hypothesize that the significantly diminished activity of NTPDase1 in the tissues surrounding the ducts may be associated with the processes that lead to tumor formation in human pancreas.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0022-1554
,
1551-5044
DOI:
10.1177/002215540205000412
Language:
English
Publisher:
SAGE Publications
Publication Date:
2002
detail.hit.zdb_id:
1421306-0
SSG:
12
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