785-Myofibroblast Barriers to TLS Formation in PDAC

Paper Talk · Apr 12, 2026 · 18m

This research identifies transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) as a major obstacle to the formation of tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs) in pancreatic cancer. While lymphotoxin beta receptor (LTBR) signaling can trigger the development of these immune aggregates, high levels of TGFβ program fibroblasts into a myofibroblastic (myCAF) state that suppresses immune cell recruitment. By inhibiting the TGFβ receptor, researchers successfully transitioned these cells into reticular CAFs (rCAFs), which secrete the chemokines necessary to draw in T and B cells. This reprogramming converted…