Generation and characterization of a cell line from an intraductal tubulopapillary neoplasm of the pancreas

Intraductal tubulopapillary neoplasm (ITPN) is a distinct precancerous lesion in the pancreas with unique clinical and molecular features. Although in vitro studies in two-dimensional culture have led to numerous important insights in pancreatic cancer, such models are currently lacking for precancerous lesions. In this study, we report the generation and characterization of a cell line from a human pancreatic ITPN. Neoplastic cells were initially cultured in a three-dimensional organoid system, followed by transfer to two-dimensional culture. RNA sequencing revealed a gene expression profile consistent with pancreatic ductal origin, and whole genome sequencing identified many somatic mutations (including in genes involved in DNA repair and Wnt signaling) and structural rearrangements. In vitro characterization of the tumorigenic potential demonstrated a phenotype between that of normal pancreatic ductal cells and cancer cell lines. This cell line represents a valuable resource for interrogation of unique ITPN biology, as well as precancerous pancreatic lesions more generally. Using three-dimensional followed by two-dimensional culture, the authors generated the first reported cell line from a human pancreatic intraductal tubulopapillary neoplasm, a distinct precancerous lesion. They performed in-depth molecular analysis of the cell line and characterized its tumorigenic potential using multiple in vitro and in vivo assays.