Expression of neuropeptide Y and its receptors Y1 and Y2 in pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia and invasive pancreatic cancer in a transgenic mouse model and human samples of pancreatic cancer

Abstract Background Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is among the most dismal of human malignancies. Neuropeptides have shown to be implicated in angiogenesis, tumor growth, and formation of distant metastases in various solid tumors. In the present study, we used a genetically engineered mouse model of pancreatic cancer to evaluate the impact of neuropeptide Y (NPY) and its receptors 1 (Y1) and 2 (Y2) in preneoplastic lesions and pancreatic cancer as a potential target with antiproliferative properties. In addition, human PDAC tissue was analyzed. Materials and methods By interbreeding conditional LsL-Trp53 R172H ,LsL-Kras G12D and Pdx1-Cre strains, we obtained LsL-Kras G12D ;LsL-Trp53 R172H ;Pdx1-Cre (KPC), LsL-Kras G12D ;Pdx1-Cre (KP) and control mice ( n  = 8 each). Mice were then followed in a longitudinal study for 3 to 6 mo. Pancreata were analyzed in regard to pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN) lesions and invasive carcinoma. Corresponding sections were then assessed by immunohistochemistry and quantitative polymerase chain reaction for NPY, Y1 and Y2 expression in murine and human samples. Results NPY and Y1 expressions were detected in human and murine pancreatic samples, but expression levels were similar in neoplastic and non-neoplastic tissue. Y2 revealed a significant increase of expression in the transgenic mouse model in PanIN lesions and pancreatic cancer compared to control. This holds also true for human samples of pancreatic cancer. Immunohistochemistry of Y2 in murine and human samples of PanINs and pancreatic carcinoma revealed an increased expression in PanIN lesions and pancreatic cancer. Conclusions Y2 is strongly overexpressed in pancreatic cancer and may modulate angiogenesis.