Pancreatic Stellate Cells (HPaSteC) are the main fibroblastic cells of the pancreas. HPaSteC are responsible for the synthesis and the degradation of the extracellular matrix proteins that promote tissue repair. They are found adjacent to pancreatic acinar cells and around small pancreatic ducts and blood vessels. When HPaSteC are activated, they assume myofibroblast-like morphology and secrete excessive amounts of extracellular matrix proteins, which can lead to desmoplasia in chronic pancreatitis and adenocarcinoma. Recent studies have shown that HPaSteC can also act as progenitor cells, immune cells, and intermediaries in exocrine pancreatic secretion. Additionally, HPaSteC stimulate pancreatic cancer proliferation, inhibit apoptosis, and enhance angiogenesis. HPaSteC are the ideal model for studying pancreatic tumor formation and they can be used to develop novel therapies for treatment of chronic pancreatitis and adenocarcinoma. HPaSteC from ScienCell Research Laboratories are isolated from human pancreas. HPaSteC are cryopreserved at passage one and delivered frozen. Each vial contains >5 x 105 cells in 1 ml volume. HPaSteC are characterized by immunofluorescence with antibodies specific to α-smooth muscle actin. HPaSteC are negative for HIV-1, HBV, HCV, mycoplasma, bacteria, yeast and fungi. HPaSteC are guaranteed to further expand for 15 population doublings under the conditions provided by ScienCell Research Laboratories Recommended Medium It is recommended to use Stellate Cell Medium (SteCM, Cat. #5301) for the culturing of HPaSteC in vitro.