Ductal cells

Ductal cells refer to the epithelial cell lining of the pancreatic duct that deliver enzymes from the acinar cells to the duodenum. They have the essential function of producing bicarbonate-rich (HCO3-) secretion to neutralize stomach acidity. The hormone secretin stimulates ductal cells and is responsible for maintaining the duodenal pH and preventing duodenal injury from acidic chyme. Ductal cells mix their production with acinar cells to make up the pancreatic juice.[1]

A diagram of the acinar cells in the pancreas, and will deliver enzymes from the acinar cells to the duodenum.[2]

Ductal cells comprise about 10% of the pancreas by number and about 4% in volume. Its function is to secrete bicarbonate and mucins and to form the tubule network that transfers enzymes made by acinar cells to the duodenum. Ductal cells have a proliferation rate of about 0.5% in normal adults, but mitotic activity goes up when the pancreas is damaged.[3]

  1. ^ Reichert M, Rustgi AK (December 2011). "Pancreatic ductal cells in development, regeneration, and neoplasia". The Journal of Clinical Investigation. 121 (12): 4572–4578. doi:10.1172/JCI57131. PMC 3225990. PMID 22133881.
  2. ^ "English: The pancreas has many functions, served by the endocrine cells in the islets of Langerhans and the exocrine acinar cells. Pancreatic cancer may arise from any of these and disrupt any of their functions". OpenStax College. Retrieved 2022-12-07.
  3. ^ Grapin-Botton A (March 2005). "Ductal cells of the pancreas". The International Journal of Biochemistry & Cell Biology. 37 (3): 504–510. doi:10.1016/j.biocel.2004.07.010. PMID 15618005.