Basic Research
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2003. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Feb 15, 2003; 9(2): 334-337
Published online Feb 15, 2003. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v9.i2.334
Localization of TRAIL/TRAILR in fetal pancreas
Li-Hua Chen, Xue-Song Liu, Wen-Yong Wang, Wei-Ning Han, Bo-Rong Pan, Bo-Quan Jin
Li-Hua Chen, Xue-Song Liu, Wei-Ning Han, Bo-Quan Jin, Department of Immunology, the Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’ an 710032, Shaanxi Province, China
Wen-Yong Wang, Department of Pathology, the Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, Shaanxi Province, China
Bo-Rong Pan, Oncology Center, Xijing Hospital, the Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, Shaanxi Province, China
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Supported by the grants of the National Key Basic Research Program of China, No. 2001CB510004
Correspondence to: Professor Bo-Quan Jin, 17 West Changle Road, Xi抋n 710032, Shaanxi Province, China. immu_jin@fmmu.edu.cn
Telephone: +86-29-3374528 Fax: +86-29-3253816
Received: October 4, 2002
Revised: October 24, 2002
Accepted: November 4, 2002
Published online: February 15, 2003
Abstract

AIM: To observe the localization of TRAIL/TRAIR (DR4, DR5, DcR1, DcR2) in the fetal pancreas.

METHODS: Fetal pancreas of 32 wk of pregnancy were obtained from induced abortions, embedded in paraffin, and 4-μm sections were prepared. The localization of TRAIL/TRAILR in fetal pancreas was investigated by fluorescence immunohistochemical method combined with laser scanning confocal microscopy.

RESULTS: TRAIL immunoreactive cells were mainly located on the periphery of the pancreas islets. There were a few DcR1 and DcR2 positive cells whereas there were no immunoreactive cells of DR4 and DR5 in the pancreas islets. In the acini and the ducts of the exocrine pancreas there were no TRAIL/TRAILR immunoreactive cells.

CONCLUSION: This study not only describes the distribution of TRAIL/TRAILR in the fetal pancreas, but also provides a morphological basis for deducing the function of TRAIL/TRAILR in pancreas, suggesting that in normal pancreatic islets, the pancreatic cells are resistant towards apoptosis too.

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