Antithetical NFATc1-Sox2 and p53-miR-200 signalling networks governs pancreatic cancer cell plasticity and tumour progression

Introduction: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells undergo epithelial-mesenchymal transdifferentiation (EMT) in adaption to environmental signals, including inflammation, a process that combines tumour cell dedifferentiation with dissemination and acquisition of stemness features. However, the mechanisms coupling inflammation-induced signalling pathways with EMT and stemness remain largely unknown. We have shown that activation of the NFATc1 transcription factor promotes pancreatic cancer development and metastasis through its ability to integrate extrinsic stimuli into coordinated gene regulation. Aim:…