Prostaglandin E2-driven dedifferentiation of Schwann cells leads to perineural invasion in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

) synthesis. Functional experiments revealed that PGE₂ drove morphological alterations in SCs-characterized by bipolar stretching-and elevated the expression of dedifferentiation markers, including p75NTR, c-Jun, SOX2, and GDNF. In the 3D coculture model, treatment with a PTGES inhibitor (CAY10526), siPTGES or PTGES-KO impaired the directional migration and neurite outgrowth of SCs toward PDAC cells. Mechanistically, PGE₂-stimulated SCs secrete elevated levels of LIF and ADAMTS-1, factors that promote extracellular matrix degradation and neural remodeling to facilitate tumor invasion. In summary, we delineate a novel paracrine axis in which PDAC-derived PGE₂ drives SC dedifferentiation and the production of proinvasive factors (LIF and ADAMTS-1), collectively establishing a microenvironment conducive to PNI. Our findings suggest that the PTGES-SC axis is a promising therapeutic target for inhibiting PNI in PDAC.

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Publication Details

Journal
Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy
Published
2026-04-07
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41392-026-02648-x
Primary Topic
Pancreatic and Hepatic Oncology Research
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

Prostaglandin E2-driven dedifferentiation of Schwann cells leads to perineural invasion in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Shizhong Yang, Zhibo Zhang, Q. M. Jonathan Wu, Jiahong Dong et al.
Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy
Pancreatic and Hepatic Oncology Research
article

Prostaglandin E2-driven dedifferentiation of Schwann cells leads to perineural invasion in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Shizhong Yang, Zhibo Zhang, Q. M. Jonathan Wu, Jiahong Dong, Qicai Liu, Juan Tang, Yuqing Zheng, Ling Wang, Guobin Pan, Shangeng Weng, Yuting Zhuang, Feng Gao
article en

Abstract

) synthesis. Functional experiments revealed that PGE₂ drove morphological alterations in SCs-characterized by bipolar stretching-and elevated the expression of dedifferentiation markers, including p75NTR, c-Jun, SOX2, and GDNF. In the 3D coculture model, treatment with a PTGES inhibitor (CAY10526), siPTGES or PTGES-KO impaired the directional migration and neurite outgrowth of SCs toward PDAC cells. Mechanistically, PGE₂-stimulated SCs secrete elevated levels of LIF and ADAMTS-1, factors that promote extracellular matrix degradation and neural remodeling to facilitate tumor invasion. In summary, we delineate a novel paracrine axis in which PDAC-derived PGE₂ drives SC dedifferentiation and the production of proinvasive factors (LIF and ADAMTS-1), collectively establishing a microenvironment conducive to PNI. Our findings suggest that the PTGES-SC axis is a promising therapeutic target for inhibiting PNI in PDAC.

Signal Transduction and Targeted TherapyVol. 11(1)
Fujian Medical University (CN), Mengchao Hepatobiliary Hospital (CN), First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University (CN), Beijing Tsinghua Chang Gung Hospital (CN), Tsinghua University (CN)
National Natural Science Foundation of China
No poverty
Openalex Percentile: Top 30%
Pancreatic and Hepatic Oncology Research
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Prostaglandin E2-driven dedifferentiation of Schwann cells leads to perineural invasion in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma — Shizhong Yang, Zhibo Zhang, et al. · Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy (2026) | TGRS Research Map | TGRS