Hedgehog Spikes Pancreas Regeneration

Inactivation of Hedgehog signaling impairs acinar cell regeneration. Pancreatic injury induced by caerulein administration leads to acinar cell loss and formation of a metaplastic epithelium. This metaplastic epithelium is characterized by the re-activation of genes typically expressed in the developing pancreas, including Pdx1 and Nestin. Wild type acinar cells regenerate completely upon cessation of the insult. In contrast, acinar cells marked by loss of Hedgehog signaling are impaired in their regenerative abilities.