Mathematical modelling of interferon-γ signalling in pancreatic stellate cells reflects and predicts the dynamics of STAT1 pathway activity

Signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 1 is essentially involved in the mediation of antifibrotic interferon-γ (IFNγ) effects in pancreatic stellate cells (PSC). Here, we have further analysed the activation of the STAT1 pathway in a PSC line by combining quantitative data generation with mathematical modelling. At saturating concentrations of IFNγ, a triphasic pattern of STAT1 activation was observed. An initial, rapid induction of phospho-STAT1 was followed by a plateau phase and another, long-lasting phase of further increase. The late increase occurred despite enhanced expression of the feedback inhibitor (SOCS1), and corresponded to increased levels of total STAT1 protein. If IFNγ was applied at non-saturating concentrations, phospho-STAT1 and SOCS1 levels peaked and declined again over a 12 hour period, while STAT1 protein levels remained high. The mathematical model, based on a system of ordinary differential equations, describes temporal changes of the network components as a function of interactions and transport processes. The model reproduced activation profiles of all components of the STAT1 pathway that were experimentally analysed. Furthermore, it successfully predicted the dynamics of network components in additional experimental studies. Based on experimental findings and the results obtained from modelling, we suggest exhaustion of applied IFNγ and STAT1 dephosphorylation by tyrosine phosphatases as limiting factors of STAT1 activation in PSC. In contrast, we did not obtain compelling evidence that SOCS1 acts as an efficient feedback inhibitor in our experimental system. We believe that further investigations into mathematical modelling of the STAT1 pathway will improve the understanding of the antifibrotic interferon action.