Cytokine mRNA levels and lymphocyte infiltration in pancreatic tissue during experimental chronic pancreatitis induced by dibutyltin dichloride

There is little information available regarding the role of inflammatory cells in the pathogenesis of chronic pancreatitis. Therefore, we analyzed the local cytokine profile and infiltrating lymphocytes in a rat model of chronic pancreatitis. Experimental pancreatitis was induced by a single intravenous application of dibultyltin dichloride (DBTC). During a time course of two months we observed the mRNA expression of cytokines using competitive RT-PCR. Lymphocytes were characterized by immunohistochemistry, FACS analysis, and the lymphocyte proliferation test. IL-1β, IL-6, IL-5, and IL-10 were immediately up-regulated in the acute phase of disease, while lymphocyte-restricted expression of IL-2, IL-2R, and IFN-γ was only found in the chronic course. Among the infiltrating lymphocytes, CD4⁺ cells dominated, but during the chronic process there was an increase of CD8⁺ cells, resulting in a reduced CD4/CD8 ratio. Mitogen-induced activation of isolated mesenteric lymph node cells increased during the chronic inflammation. Our results suggest that in experimental pancreatitis acute inflammatory reactions are followed by a T-lymphocyte-mediated process.