Review
Cell Biology
Zhilin Zhang, Huan Zhang, Tian Liu, Tian Chen, Daorong Wang, Dong Tang
Summary: Pancreatic cancer is associated with strong therapeutic resistance and poor prognosis, with activated pancreatic stellate cells (PSC) playing a crucial role in the malignant progression. By analyzing PSC population heterogeneity, researchers have identified two subtypes - myofibroblastic and inflammatory PSC - that cooperate to create a microenvironment suitable for cancer cell survival, potentially offering more effective treatment options for pancreatic cancer patients.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jorge Yassen Diaz-Blancas, Ismael Dominguez-Rosado, Carlos Chan-Nunez, Jorge Melendez-Zajgla, Vilma Maldonado
Summary: This study analyzed the effects of platelets on pancreatic cancer cells and found that platelets can increase the proliferation and migration capacity of cancer cells, enhance clonogenicity, and induce higher expression of stem cell markers. Differential expression of microRNAs in platelets from pancreatic cancer patients and healthy subjects was also discovered, with clear differences between the two groups. Furthermore, differences between blood-derived and pancreatic juice-derived platelets in the cancer patients suggest the presence of distinct platelet subpopulations, warranting further analysis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Matias Estaras, Remigio Martinez, Alfredo Garcia, Candido Ortiz-Placin, Juan L. Iovanna, Patricia Santofimia-Castano, Antonio Gonzalez
Summary: Pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) proliferate actively under hypoxia and melatonin has been shown to modulate cell responses to hypoxia by inhibiting proliferation and reducing fibrosis-related protein expression. The activation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway and metabolic adaptations in PSCs under hypoxic conditions were investigated in this study. The results suggest that PSCs undergo metabolic changes under hypoxia and melatonin plays a role in modulating these changes.
BIOCHEMICAL PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Oncology
Zhengfeng Wang, Ru He, Shi Dong, Wence Zhou
Summary: Pancreatic cancer is a highly malignant gastrointestinal carcinoma with late detection, high mortality rates, poor patient prognosis, and a lack of effective treatments. Pancreatic stellate cells, a significant component of the tumor microenvironment, play a crucial role in modulating this environment and promoting cancer progression. This paper reviews the mechanisms by which pancreatic stellate cells inhibit antitumor immune responses and discusses preclinical studies focusing on these cells, aiming to provide theoretical references for the development of new therapeutic approaches for pancreatic cancer.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Esder Lee, Gyeong Ryul Ryu, Seung-Hyun Ko, Yu-Bae Ahn, Ki-Ho Song
Summary: Hypoxia in pancreatic islets can lead to activation of pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs), promoting β-cell death. In this study, a new in vivo model of islet hypoxia was established to demonstrate the activation of intra-islet PSCs and investigate the mechanism of PSC-induced β-cell death. Experiments showed that PSCs cultured in hypoxia released exosomes containing miRNAs, particularly miR-23a-3p, which contributed to β-cell death. These findings provide evidence for the role of PSCs and exosomal miRNA transfer in the progression of type 2 diabetes mellitus.
MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Yana Geng, Junyu Wang, Sandra Alejandra Serna-Salas, Alejandra Hernandez Villanueva, Manon Buist-Homan, Marco Arrese, Peter Olinga, Hans Blokzijl, Han Moshage
Summary: Liver fibrosis is a response of the liver to chronic inflammation. Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) can induce the inflammatory phenotype in liver macrophages (KCs) through the release of extracellular vesicles (EVs), thereby promoting fibrosis. This effect is mediated by the activation of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling pathway.
JOURNAL OF CELLULAR PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Lei Zhu, Jianmei Yin, Fuhong Zheng, Lianfeng Ji, Yingqing Yu, Haibo Liu
Summary: Activated pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) with increased proliferation and migration ability are the partners in crime with pancreatic cancer cells. ASIC1 overexpression induced by pancreatic cancer cells enhances the proliferative and migratory abilities of PSCs, which can be weakened by ASIC1 inhibition. Additionally, ASIC1 participates in the regulation of PSCs proliferation and migration induced by cancer cells via the ERK pathway.
Review
Physiology
Shin Hamada, Ryotaro Matsumoto, Atsushi Masamune
Summary: Pancreatic stellate cells play a pivotal role in the development of pancreatic fibrosis and cancer by sensing systemic metabolic changes and altering cell metabolism and microenvironment.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Jianwei Fan, Lifang Duan, Nan Wu, Xiaofan Xu, Jiaqi Xin, Shengnan Jiang, Cheng Zhang, Hong Zhang
Summary: Baicalin has been shown to inhibit the activation of pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs), reduce pancreatic inflammation and fibrosis, and decrease the levels of various markers associated with fibrosis in the pancreas. It inhibits the TGF-beta 1/TGF-beta R1/TAK1/NF-kappa B signaling pathway, leading to decreased MCP-1 secretion and reduced infiltration of macrophages and inflammation cells in the pancreas. This study provides a basis for the potential use of baicalin in the prevention and treatment of chronic pancreatitis.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Di Wu, Weibo Chen, Yang Yang, Yi Qin, Guangchen Zu, Yue Zhang, Yong An, Donglin Sun, Xiaowu Xu, Xuemin Chen
Summary: This study investigates the role of PITX2 in pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) in the progression of pancreatic cancer and reveals that silencing PITX2 in PSCs inhibits the growth, migration, and invasion of pancreatic cancer cells. Additionally, high expression of PITX2 in stromal cells is correlated with poor prognosis in patients with pancreatic cancer.
ACTA BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA SINICA
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Lara Magni, Rayhana Bouazzi, Hugo Heredero Olmedilla, Patricia S. S. Petersen, Marco Tozzi, Ivana Novak
Summary: The study reveals an important interaction between PSCs and cancer cells, involving ATP and IL-6 as key players, which activate P2X7 and IL-6 receptors, respectively, potentially serving as therapeutic targets for PDAC.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yuen Ping Chong, Evelyn Priya Peter, Feon Jia Ming Lee, Chu Mun Chan, Shereen Chai, Lorni Poh Chou Ling, Eng Lai Tan, Sook Han Ng, Atsushi Masamune, Siti Aisyah Abd Ghafar, Norsharina Ismail, Ket Li Ho
Summary: Pancreatic cancer cells and pancreatic stellate cells together form the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment of pancreatic cancer. This study found that co-culture of these two cell types resulted in a reduction in lymphocyte population. Proteomic analysis revealed differentially expressed proteins in two different stages of tumor-derived PCC lines. Additionally, it was found that the conditioned medium containing proteins secreted by PCC and/or PSC enhanced the viability of lymphocyte subtypes, while CM-induced MDSCs decreased the viability of certain T cells.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Yu Tanaka, Shin Hamada, Ryotaro Matsumoto, Keiko Taguchi, Masayuki Yamamoto, Atsushi Masamune
Summary: Systemic Nrf2 deletion decreases pancreatic cancer progression in a mutant K-ras/p53-expressing mouse model, with pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) playing a role in this process. Nrf2-deleted PSCs exhibit lower proliferative and migration capacity, and show reduced growth-stimulating effects on pancreatic cancer cells.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-GASTROINTESTINAL AND LIVER PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Vanessa M. Diaz Almanzar, Kunal Shah, Joseph F. LaComb, Aisharja Mojumdar, Hetvi R. Patel, Jacky Cheung, Meiyi Tang, Jingfang Ju, Agnieszka B. Bialkowska
Summary: Chronic pancreatitis is characterized by inflammation and fibrosis, which are worsened by activated pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs). Recent research shows that miR-15a, which targets YAP1 and BCL-2, is significantly downregulated in patients with chronic pancreatitis. We demonstrated that 5-FU-miR-15a can effectively inhibit PSC viability, proliferation, and migration, as well as reduce the invasion of pancreatic cancer cells.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Chong Zhao, Shuaijie Qian, Yang Tai, Yangkun Guo, Chengwei Tang, Zhiyin Huang, Jinhang Gao
Summary: Circular RNAs (circRNAs) play crucial roles in liver fibrosis through miRNA or ceRNA mechanisms. Increased angiogenesis accompanies liver fibrosis in murine models. circRNA-007371 promotes angiogenesis via a miRNA sponge mechanism and may serve as a potential therapeutic target for liver cirrhosis.
CELL PROLIFERATION
(2023)
