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Backgound/Aims: The injection of cerulein, an analogue of the pancreatic secretagogue cholecystokinin (CCK), induces acute pancreatitis in mice that is accompanied by the synthesis of the transcription factor Egr-1. The signaling cascade that connects cerulein stimulation with enhanced Egr-1 biosynthesis was analyzed. Methods: AR42J rat pancreatic acinar cells were used as a model system to measure cerulein-induced Egr-1 biosynthesis. For comparison, the signaling cascade induced by activation of Gαq-coupled designer receptors with the designer drug clozapine-N-oxide (CNO) was investigated. Results: Stimulation of AR42J cells with cerulein induced a robust and transient biosynthesis of Egr-1. The signaling cascade connecting cerulein stimulation with Egr-1 gene expression required elevated levels of cytosolic Ca2+ and the activation of the protein kinases PKC, Raf and ERK, while expression of MKP-1 prevented Egr-1 biosynthesis in cerulein-stimulated AR42J cells. In addition, ternary complex factors are required to connect cerulein stimulation with enhanced transcription of the Egr-1 gene. Egr-1 biosynthesis induced in CNO-stimulated AR42J pancreatic acinar cells expressing Gαq-coupled designer receptors required identical signaling molecules, although subtle differences were observed in comparison to cerulein/CCK receptor signaling. Conclusion: We propose that overstimulation of the canonical Gαq-induced signaling pathway may be crucial for inducing acute pancreatitis.

Abstract Although females suffer twice as much as males from stress-related disorders, sex-specific participating and pathogenic cellular stress mechanisms remain uncharacterized. Using corticotropin-releasing factor receptor 2-deficient (Crhr2−/−) and wild-type (WT) mice, we show that CRF receptor type 2 (CRF2) and its high-affinity ligand, urocortin 1 (Ucn1), are key mediators of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response in a murine model of acute pancreatic inflammation. Ucn1 was expressed de novo in acinar cells of male, but not female WT mice during acute inflammation. Upon insult, acinar Ucn1 induction was markedly attenuated in male but not female Crhr2r−/− mice. Crhr2−/− mice of both sexes show exacerbated acinar cell inflammation and necrosis. Electron microscopy showed mild ER damage in WT male mice and markedly distorted ER structure in Crhr2−/− male mice during pancreatitis. WT and Crhr2−/− female mice showed similarly distorted ER ultrastructure that was less severe than distortion seen in Crhr2−/− male mice. Damage in ER structure was accompanied by increased ubiquitination, peIF2, and mis-targeted localization of vimentin in WT mice that was further exacerbated in Crhr2−/− mice of both sexes during pancreatitis. Exogenous Ucn1 rescued many aspects of histological damage and cellular stress response, including restoration of ER structure in male WT and Crhr2−/− mice, but not in females. Instead, females often showed increased damage. Thus, specific cellular pathways involved in coping and resolution seem to be distinct to each sex. Our results demonstrate the importance of identifying sex-specific pathogenic mechanisms and their value in designing effective therapeutics.