Tumor and α-SMA-expressing stromal cells in pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors have a distinct RNA profile depending on tumor grade.

ABSTRACT: Alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression in the stroma is linked to the presence of cancer-associated fibroblasts and is known to correlate with worse outcomes in various tumors. In this study, using a GeoMx digital spatial profiling approach, we characterized the gene expression of the tumor and α-SMA-expressing stromal cell compartments in pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PanNETs). The profiling was performed on tissues from eight retrospective cases (three grade 1, four grade 2, and one grade 3). Selected regions of interest were segmented geometrically based on tissue morphology and fluorescent signals from synaptophysin and α-SMA markers. The α-SMA-expressing stromal-cell-associated genes were involved in pathways of extracellular matrix modification, whereas, in tumor cells, the

SUBMITTER: Niedra H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11887665 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature