Stem/progenitor cells in normal physiology and disease of the pancreas

• Published in: Molecular and cellular endocrinology 2021-12, Vol.538, p.111459, Article 111459
• Main Authors: Alvarez Fallas, Mario Enrique, Pedraza-Arevalo, Sergio, Cujba, Ana-Maria, Manea, Teodora, Lambert, Christopher, Morrugares, Rosario, Sancho, Rocio
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Cell Differentiation; Cell fate decisions; Gene Regulatory Networks; Homeostasis; Humans; Pancreas - cytology; Pancreas - physiology; Pancreas progenitors; Pancreatic Diseases - metabolism; Regenerative Medicine; RNA-Seq; scRNA-seq; Single-Cell Analysis; Stem cells; Stem Cells - cytology; Stem Cells - metabolism
• ISSN: 0303-7207; 1872-8057; 1872-8057
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2021.111459

Though embryonic pancreas progenitors are well characterised, the existence of stem/progenitor cells in the postnatal mammalian pancreas has been long debated, mainly due to contradicting results on regeneration after injury or disease in mice. Despite these controversies, sequencing advancements combined with lineage tracing and organoid technologies indicate that homeostatic and trigger-induced regenerative responses in mice could occur. The presence of putative progenitor cells in the adult pancreas has been proposed during homeostasis and upon different stress challenges such as inflammation, tissue damage and oncogenic stress. More recently, single cell transcriptomics has revealed a remarkable heterogeneity in all pancreas cell types, with some cells showing the signature of potential progenitors. In this review we provide an overview on embryonic and putative adult pancreas progenitors in homeostasis and disease, with special emphasis on in vitro culture systems and scRNA-seq technology as tools to address the progenitor nature of different pancreatic cells. •The existence of putative progenitors beyond the embryonic stage capable of contributing to pancreas homeostasis has been suggested.•Heterogeneity is observed in the different compartments in the pancreas.•Tumours in the pancreas arise from different originating cells that determine tumour evolution and prognosis.•Pancreatic organoid cultures provide a platform to study embryonic and adult progenitors and to explore new ways of generating new β-cells.•Single cell transcriptomics allowed the prediction of multipotent cell populations within the adult human and murine pancreas.