Exocrine ontogenies: On the development of pancreatic acinar, ductal and centroacinar cells

► Endocrine and exocrine ontogenies are highly intertwined. ► Multipotent pancreatic progenitor cells become developmentally restricted to central “trunk” and peripheral “tip” domains. ► Considerable heterogeneity exists among adjacent cells within the pancreatic ductal epithelial tree. ► Terminal duct and centroacinar cells display unique in vitro progenitor capacities.