A research project to determine if Stat2 proteins are reduced in cases of acute pancreatitis.

A research project to determine if Stat2 proteins are reduced in cases of acute pancreatitis, the organ will produce more cells to fight the inflammation and severity of pancreatic attacks.

Acute pancreatitis is a common cause of serious illness and death. It causes severe abdominal pain, release of pancreatic enzymes and it can lead to multiple organ failure which is often fatal. Acute pancreatitis is driven by a process called inflammation. Damage to the pancreas results in dead and dying pancreatic tissue which activates immune responses. If left unchecked, these can worsen the initial tissue damage and lead to multiple organ failure. However, in many patients the damage does not progress, and symptoms rapidly subside. It is not clear why some patients are able to shrug off an attack of pancreatitis whilst others unfortunately develop life threatening complications.

The Research Group at the Blizard Institute (The Queen Mary University of London), have been studying the Stat2 protein and have discovered that this protein is involved in inflammation of the pancreas.  Using a cutting-edge technique, called label-free mass spectrometry, they are now studying all the proteins and cell signals that are involved in inflammation in the pancreas.

Thanks to the funding from LAP Research, they have identified differences between normal and inflamed tissue that they hope can be used to identify new dug targets in the treatment of acute pancreatitis.

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