Ductal cells

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.

The ductal cells of the main pancreatic duct are bound by connective tissue and produce a columnar epithelium.

The primary function of pancreas ductal cells is to secrete a bicarbonate-rich, isotonic fluid.

This fluid washes away the inactive form of digestive enzymes in the ductal system, neutralizes stomach acidity and mucins, and creates a pH environment necessary for the pancreas's normal function.

[3] Ductal cells have a single cilium that is made up of nine peripheral doublets but does not have a central microtubule.

Their molecular identity still needs to be improved; more knowledge is necessary regarding stage-specific markers and the regulators of ductal cell development.

Meanwhile, mature ducts have a restricted ability to transdifferentiate to other types of cells, even when the pancreas is injured.

However, there is a possibility that this capability is limited to a subtype of ductal cells only, meaning this cannot be a main pathway for pancreas regeneration.

Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) is the mutated gene and is essential to chloride and bicarbonate secretion.

[3] The incorrect activation of proteolytic enzymes leads to edema, inflammation, and possible pancreas necrosis, causing acute pancreatitis.

[3] Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most lethal cancers and has an expected survival of five years.

[3] Moreover, human tumors usually go with lower-grade lesions that are called pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasias (PanINs) and are in ducts.

It is thought to be the earliest form of breast cancer and is noninvasive (it has not spread from the milk duct and has a low risk of becoming invasive).