Biology of pancreatic stellate cells—more than just pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic stellate cells, normally quiescent, are capable of remarkable transition into their activated myofibroblast-like phenotype. It is now commonly accepted that these cells play a pivotal role in the desmoplastic reaction present in severe pancreatic disorders. In recent years, enormous scientific effort has been devoted to understanding their roles in pancreatic cancer, which continues to remain one of the most deadly diseases. Therefore, it is not surprising that considerably less attention has been given to studying physiological functions of pancreatic stellate cells. Here, we review recent advances not only in the field of pancreatic stellate cell pathophysiology but also emphasise their roles in physiological processes.