A schema of bile acid signaling in pancreatic acinar cells. Extracellular bile acid enters pancreatic acinar cells through Na⁺-dependent transporter Ntcp at the luminal membrane and Na⁺-independent transporter Oatp at the basolateral membrane. Cytosolic bile acid induces intracellular Ca²⁺ overload to activate iP3R, RyRs, and Orai channel and to inhibit SERCA pump. Intracellular Ca²⁺ overload induces MPTP opening and subsequent acinar cell necrosis by ATP depletion. On the other hand, ROS and intracellular Ca²⁺ overload can induce acinar cell apoptosis by cytochrome c/caspase pathway, as well. The intercellular signaling of bile acid receptor Gpbar1 in pancreatic acinar cells is still largely unknown. Gpbar1 G protein-coupled bile acid receptor, Ntcp Na⁺-taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide, Oatp organic anion-transporting polypeptide, IP ₃ R inositol trisphosphate receptor, RyRs ryanodine receptors, SERCA sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca²⁺ ATPase, STIM stromal interaction molecule, ROS Reactive oxygen species, MPTP mitochondrial permeability transition pore, ATP adenosine triphosphate