The context-dependent role of the Na(+)/Ca(2+)-exchanger (NCX) in pancreatic stellate cell migration

Pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) that can co-metastasize with cancer cells shape the tumor microenvironment (TME) in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) by producing an excessive amount of extracellular matrix. This leads to a TME characterized by increased tissue pressure, hypoxia, and acidity. Moreover, cells within the tumor secrete growth factors. The stimuli of the TME trigger Ca(2+) signaling and cellular Na(+) loading. The Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchanger (NCX) connects the cellular Ca(2+) and Na(+) homeostasis. The NCX is an electrogenic transporter, which shuffles 1 Ca(2+) against 3 Na(+) ions over the plasma membrane in a forward or reverse mode. Here, we studied how the impact of NCX activity on PSC migration is modulated by cues from the TME. NCX expression was revealed with qPCR and Western blot. [Ca(2+)](i), [Na(+)](i), and the cell membrane potential were determined with the fluorescent indicators Fura-2, Asante NaTRIUM Green-2, and DiBAC(4)(3), respectively. PSC migration was quantified with live-cell imaging. To mimic the TME, PSCs were exposed to hypoxia, pressure, acidic pH (pH 6.6), and PDGF. NCX-dependent signaling was determined with Western blot analyses. PSCs express NCX1.3 and NCX1.9. [Ca(2+)](i), [Na(+)](i), and the cell membrane potential are 94.4 nmol/l, 7.4 mmol/l, and − 39.8 mV, respectively. Thus, NCX1 usually operates in the forward (Ca(2+) export) mode. NCX1 plays a differential role in translating cues from the TME into an altered migratory behavior. When NCX1 is operating in the forward mode, its inhibition accelerates PSC migration. Thus, NCX1-mediated extrusion of Ca(2+) contributes to a slow mode of migration of PSCs. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00424-023-02847-3.