Update on Research:
Over the past 6 months we made progress in Aim 1. We utilized two different models of AP, namely that of mild to moderate AP that recovers over time (cerulein) (Figure 1A); and a severe form of AP that is associated with high mortality (choline deficient DL-ethionine-induced, CDE) (Figure 2A). We performed kinetic studies where we isolated leukocytes from the periphery (blood) and tissues (pancreas) as the mice recovered or continued to progress towards severe disease as occurs in subsets of AP patients. In-depth profiling of pancreatic leukocytes identified variety of immune cells as represented in UMAP plot (Figure 1B) during AP and recovery. Volcano plot showing differential abundance analysis of different immune cells revealed that monocytes (Ly6C+, inflammatory) were the top altered immune cells compared across all time points (0h, 12h, 24h, 48h, 168h) and between 0h (control) and 12h (AP) (Figure 1C, 1D). We also observed significantly decreased CD206+ macrophages in a pairwise comparison between 0h and 12h (Figure 1D). UMAP revealed dynamic changes in monocyte and CD206+ macrophage clusters represented by blue and red dotted circles respectively (Figure 1B, 1E). The frequency of monocytes peaked at 24h and normalized to baseline at 48h/168h (recovery phases) (Figure 1E, 1F). The frequency of CD206+ macrophages was significantly reduced at 12h (AP) and recovered at 48h (Figure 1E, 1G). These findings indicate that disease induction and recovery is associated with dynamic shifts in pancreatic monocytes and CD206+ macrophages.

Update on funding and what positions you have held since award:
We have utilized $ 31,704.55 during the first period of progress report from 07/01/2021 -12/31/2021 towards salary, fringe and travel support (see attached official budget report).  We are expecting to use remaining $ 68,295.45 in next six months from 01/01/2022 to 06/30/ 2022 towards, CyTOF data analysis, RNA seq, flowcytometry, supplies (antibodies, reagents, chemicals, kits), animals, PBMCs and salary support etc.