CTHRC1 Induces Pancreatic Stellate Cells (PSCs) into Myofibroblast-like Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts (myCAFs).

ABSTRACT: [BACKGROUND] Collagen triple helix repeat containing-1 (CTHRC1) is a secreted protein that contributes to the progression of various cancers, including pancreatic cancer. The higher expression of CTHRC1 in tumor tissues is associated with poorer survival outcomes. However, its specific roles in tumor extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling remain unclear. Our study aims to investigate the influences of CTHRC1 on pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs), a main source of ECM production in pancreatic cancer. [METHODS AND RESULTS] The analyses of the publicly available pancreatic cancer patient data revealed that CTHRC1 is mainly expressed in cancer stroma and highly correlated with ECM-related genes. An in vitro study showed that more than 40% of these genes can be upregulated by CTHRC1.

SUBMITTER: Kang MK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10340658 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature