A novel explant outgrowth culture model for mouse pancreatic acinar cells with long-term maintenance of secretory phenotype

The development of in vitro models able to support the long-term viability and function of acinar cells is critical for exploring pancreatic pathophysiology. Despite considerable efforts, no long-term culture models for non-transformed pancreatic acini exist. Our aim was to develop and validate culture conditions for this purpose. An explant outgrowth culture design was established in which mouse pancreatic explants were cultured at the gas-liquid interphase. An enriched culture medium, pH 7.8, was employed to promote the selective outgrowth of acinar cells and to support their differentiated phenotype. After 7 days, the outgrown primary acinar cells were subcultured and maintained up to an additional 7 days as secondary monolayers on tissue culture plastic. Measurements of basal and caerulein-induced amylase secretion, phase-contrast microscopy and immunohistochemical analyses were used to characterize the cultures. Explants retained their pancreatic cytoarchitecture for 2 days in vitro. A triphasic dose response to caerulein was detected in 7-day primary cultures. The maximal rate of secretion was 1.2-fold versus basal (p=0.009) and 1.7-fold versus 1 pM caerulein (p=0.014). In secondary cultures the response was biphasic with maximal rates of secretion being 1.9-fold in 3- to 4-day cultures at 0.01 nM (p=0.049) and 2-fold in 6- to 7-day cultures at 0.1 nM (p=0.003). The present culture model provides a means to obtain functionally competent normal mouse acinar cells for long-term in vitro experimentation.