Figure 2.

The role of ncRNAs in the interaction between PDAC cells and macrophages or NK cells. ncRNAs are deeply involved in the mutual interaction between PDAC cells and macrophages or NK cells. Upregulation of immunosuppressive ncRNAs (shown by red color) and downregulation of immunogenic ncRNAs (shown by green color) by PDAC cells can modulate signaling pathways in naïve macrophages and promote M2 polarization. In return, M2 macrophage-derived ncRNAs can vigorously promote PDAC growth, chemoresistance, invasion, and metastasis, while inhibiting cancer cell apoptosis. On the other hand, ncRNAs that can potentiate NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity are downregulated in PDAC.