Spontaneous Pancreatitis Caused by Tissue-Specific Gene Ablation of Hhex in Mice

Abstract

Although <i>Hhex</i> is dispensable for ductal cell function in the adult, ablation of <i>Hhex</i> in pancreatic progenitors results in pancreatitis. Our data highlight the critical role of <i>Hhex</i> in maintaining ductal homeostasis in early life and support ductal hypersecretion as a novel etiology of pediatric chronic pancreatitis.