Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is a persistent inflammation of the pancreas that disrupts normal structure and functions. The absence of well-defined criteria for early diagnosis of CP and the multi-factorial features of the disease render it difficult to develop an effective treatment. Stem cell therapy has emerged as a promising therapy for autoimmune diseases and may represent a therapeutic option for CP treatment. In this issue of Molecular Therapy, Sun et al. 1 report that the infusion of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) into an experimental murine model of CP inhibited the progression of CP, greatly attenuated pancreatic damage, and reduced fibrosis and cell death. The authors argue that the infused ASCs likely differentiated into acinar-like cells that suppressed inflammation and fibrosis, thus limiting pancreatic damage. The results of the study could have an important impact upon individuals with CP who currently lack effective therapeutic options.

CP is characterized by “a pathologic fibro-inflammatory syndrome of the pancreas in individuals with genetic, environmental and/or other risk factors who develop persistent pathologic responses to parenchymal injury or stress”. 2 CP is mainly characterized by persistent and irreversible inflammation of the pancreas, leading to a progressive loss of exocrine and endocrine function due to recurrent episodes of acute pancreatitis and chronic inflammation. The mechanism involved in the pathophysiology of CP consists of a necrosis-fibrosis loop, owing to severe acute pancreatitis, followed by activation and recruitment of inflammatory cells and the activation of pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs), myofibroblast-like cells residing in the exocrine areas of the pancreas. Following activation, PSCs migrate to sites of injury and participate in the regenerative process. During this process, the induction of oxida-