Fibrosis in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) stiffens the tumor microenvironment, activating Schwann cells (SCs) through mechanical forces.
Activated SCs demonstrate increased c-Jun phosphorylation via a non-canonical nuclear mechanosensing mechanism involving phospholipase A2.
Pancreatic fibrosis alone, without malignant cells, is sufficient to trigger SC activation, implicating roles in non-malignant pancreatic diseases.
SCs are more mechanically sensitive than PDAC cells, revealing a critical interaction that may be targeted in future microenvironment-focused therapies.
