Fig. 2.

Heterogeneity of cancer-associated fibroblast (CAFs) and ECM remodeling in PDAC. Pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) and other resident tissue fibroblasts are the primary progenitors of CAFs in PDAC, and mesothelial cells, adipocytes and bone marrow-derived macrophages transform into CAFs. Epithelial and endothelial cells are also identified as potential sources of CAFs that are recruited and transformed in the tumor microenvironment. Based on the subtype of CAFs, they generally include myofibroblast CAFs, inflammatory CAFs and antigen-presenting CAFs. The ECM of PDAC is particularly dense and contributes to its desmoplastic response. It’s composed of collagen, proteoglycans, laminin, and fibronectin, etc.