Acquired αSMA Expression in Pericytes Coincides with Aberrant Vascular Structure and Function in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma.

ABSTRACT: The subpopulations of tumor pericytes undergo pathological phenotype switching, affecting their normal function in upholding structural stability and cross-communication with other cells. In the case of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), a significant portion of blood vessels are covered by an α-smooth muscle actin (αSMA)-expressing pericyte, which is normally absent from capillary pericytes. The Desmin^lowαSMA^high phenotype was significantly correlated with intratumoral hypoxia and vascular leakiness. Using an in vitro co-culture system, we demonstrated that cancer cell-derived exosomes could induce ectopic αSMA expression in pericytes. Exosome-treated αSMA⁺ pericytes presented altered pericyte markers and an acquired immune-modulatory feature. αSMA

SUBMITTER: Natarajan V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9139959 | biostudies-literature | 2022 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature