CEL

CEL (Carboxyl Ester Lipase), also termed Bile Salt-Stimulated Lipase (BSSL) or CEL-related protein, is a digestive enzyme critical for hydrolyzing cholesterol esters and lipid-soluble vitamins in the small intestine. Highly expressed in pancreatic acinar cells and breast milk, it supports neonatal nutrition by enhancing fat absorption under bile salt stimulation. Genetic truncation variants (e.g., CEL-HYB) disrupt protein secretion, leading to pancreatic atrophy and monogenic diabetes (MODY8). Aberrant CEL aggregation in pancreatic ducts is implicated in chronic pancreatitis, while its ectopic expression in β-cells may accelerate diabetes progression.
Therapeutic strategies targeting CEL deficiency focus on enzyme replacement using recombinant proteins, with proof-of-concept achieved in murine models. Small-molecule inhibitors of pathogenic CEL aggregation, including flavonoid derivatives, show preclinical efficacy in mitigating metabolic dysfunction. Despite its potential role in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma stroma, no CEL-directed oncology agents are under development. Current research prioritizes MODY8-specific interventions, though clinical translation remains pending.