Transcription profiling of human hepatic and pancreatic stellate cells obtained from tissues of chronic inflammation, and primary or metastatic cancers

Differences in the expression profile of hepatic and pancreatic stellate cells are investigated. Aim is to identify organ and disease specific transcriptome signatures of stellate cells, comparing hepatic and pancreatic stellate cells obtained from tissues of chronic inflammation, and primary or metastatic cancers of the pancreas. Tissues of chronic pancreatitis (n=6), pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (n=5), liver cirrhosis (n=5) and liver metastasis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (n=6) were collected and stellate cells were isolated by the outgrowth method. Using cDNA microarrays, differentially expressed genes are identified.