Expression of Interferon-Gamma-Inducible Protein-10 and Its Receptor CXCR3 in Chronic Pancreatitis

Aim: The role of CXC chemokine, interferon-γ-inducible protein-10 and its receptor CXCR3 in pathophysiology of chronic pancreatitis (CP) is not very clear. Hence, this study was carried out to analyze the expression of CXCL10 and CXCR3 in CP tissues. Methods: Pancreatictissues from 25 histopathologically graded CP cases (11 alcohol associated CP, 5 confirmed idiopathic and 9 of undefined nature) and 10 normal cases were studied. Tissues were subjected to realtime PCR, immunohistochemistry, and Western blot analysis for CXCL10 and CXCR3 expression. Results: Real-time (RT)-PCR revealed increased expression of CXCL10 (13-fold) and CXCR3 (7-fold) in CP tissue. The immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis of the same showed significant increased protein expression and correlated well with the histopathological grades. The CXCL10 was localized mainly in the cytoplasm of pancreatic acinar cells and expression increased from grade I to grade II and declined in grade III while no expression was recorded in normal. The CXCR3 was expressed strongly at the acinar cell membrane in CP as compared to normal. Further, comparative analysis by semiquantitative RT-PCR analysis was performed for other CXC/ CC chemokines (CXCL9, CXCL11, CCL3, CCL4, CCL5) and receptor (CCR5) which revealed their upregulation in the diseased state. Conclusion:The existence of CXCL10 and CXCR3 with other CXC/CC chemokine signature in CP is suggestive of their vital role in the progression of chronic inflammation.