Mathematical model of chronic pancreatitis

Wenrui Hao, Hannah M. Komar, Phil A. Hart, Darwin L. Conwell, Gregory B. Lesinski, Avner Friedman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

27 Scopus citations

Abstract

Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is a progressive inflammatory disease of the pancreas, leading to its fibrotic destruction. There are currently no drugs that can stop or slow the progression of the disease. The etiology of the disease is multifactorial, whereas recurrent attacks of acute pancreatitis are thought to precede the development of CP. A better understanding of the pathology of CP is needed to facilitate improved diagnosis and treatment strategies for this disease. The present paper develops a mathematical model of CP based on a dynamic network that includes macrophages, pancreatic stellate cells, and prominent cytokines that are present at high levels in the CP microenvironment. The model is represented by a system of partial differential equations. The model is used to explore in silico potential drugs that could slow the progression of the disease, for example infliximab (anti-TNF-α) and tocilizumab or siltuximab (anti-IL-6/IL-6R).

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)5011-5016
Number of pages6
JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Volume114
Issue number19
DOIs
StatePublished - May 9 2017

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General

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