Dissecting FAP+ Cell Diversity in Pancreatic Cancer Uncovers an Interferon-Response Subtype of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts with Tumor-Restraining Properties.

ABSTRACT: Within the stroma of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), mesenchymal cells differentiate into cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF) subtypes that differentially mediate disease progression. Defining the regulatory mechanism and diversity of CAF subtypes could identify potential therapeutic strategies to harness the tumor-suppressive activities of CAFs. To address this, we utilized single-cell RNA sequencing to profile fibroblast activation protein-α (FAP)-expressing mesenchymal cells in human PDAC. The mesenchymal subpopulations in PDAC reflected mesenchymal cell heterogeneity found in the normal developing pancreas. In addition to characterizing inflammatory CAF and myofibroblastic CAF subpopulations in detail, the analysis uncovered a previously undescribed interferon-response CAF (ifC

SUBMITTER: Cumming J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12214878 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature