Fetal pancreatic antigens in the Syrian golden hamster and their relationship to development and carcinogenesis.

A rabbit antiserum raised against pancreatic extracts of newborn Syrian hamsters was used in a histological study of pancreas development. This antiserum, after being rendered specific by appropriate absorption, stained the cytoplasm of acinar cells in neonatal pancreas. The reaction was observed from the 13th day of gestation (3 days before delivery) until the 10th day after birth. This period was characterized by a progressive maturation of the endocrine pancreas. The disappearance of fetal pancreatic antigens coincided with the appearance of Langerhans islets. Adult pancreas was not stained with the antiserum, but a good reaction was observed in chemically induced pancreas adenocarcinomas. All reactions were confirmed by immunochemical studies. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis followed by immunodetection on nitrocellulose blots demonstrated the presence of two major fetal antigens. Thus, this study demonstrates the existence of fetal pancreatic antigens associated with development which are reexpressed in pancreatic tumors.