Figure 2. Ethanol and CSE in combination induce marked activation of the PERK pathway in acinar cells.

(A) AR42J cells were left untreated (C) or treated for the indicated times with EtOH, (50 mM) and/or CSE (40 μg/ml, left panel; 20 or 40 μg/ml, right panel). Expression levels of the UPR markers phospho-PERK, phospho-eIF2α, and GRP78 were assessed by Western blotting. Blots are representative of 3 independent experiments. (B) Densitometry analysis of immunoblots from (A), 48 h treatment. Levels (as a fraction of control values) were normalized to those of ERK1/2. Graph shows mean±SEM, n=3; * P<.05 vs. control. (C) Mouse pancreatic acini were treated for 24 h with 50 mM EtOH and/or 40 μg/ml CSE. Immunoblots show protein levels of phospho-PERK, phospho-eIF2α, GRP78, and ERK1/2.