Figure 3.

Inflammation and pancreatic disease. Insults lead to the activation of NF-κB and inflammasomes. NF-κB activation leads to the production of cytokines which, in turn, recruit immune cells and activate Stat3. Neutrophils, macrophages and other immune cells infiltrate the pancreas and produce more cytokines amplifying the inflammatory response. Cytokines can lead to the activation of pancreatic stellate cells which can, with repeated bouts of acute pancreatitis lead to fibrosis and the development of chronic pancreatitis. Cytokines can activate oncogenic Kras, a characteristic of nearly 90% of all pancreatic adenocarcinomas. Chronic pancreatitis can also lead to the development of pancreatic cancer.