It should be noted that since the reduction in CD11c+ DC percentage by anti-CCL2 Ab administration is likely to be a consequence of cell migration, it reflects the lack of endogenous expansion of the initially present resident CD11c+ DC population during the development of pancreatitis; thus, the reduction in CD11c+ DCs suggests that this cell population is dispensable when the pancreatic inflammation has reached a mature stage. This evidence concerns the gene ITGAX and pancreatitis.