Cancer-associated fibroblasts crosstalk with extracellular matrix. (IMAGE)

Sichuan International Medical Exchange and Promotion Association

Cancer-associated fibroblasts crosstalk with extracellular matrix.

Caption

CAFs Impact ECM and tumor growth: 

CAFs secrete MMPs to degrade ECM, releasing growth factors for cancer cells.

ECM changes counteract CAFs and tumor cells: (a) Hard ECM triggers Twist release from CAFs, enhancing ECM hardness. (b) Hard ECM triggers Twist in cancer cells, promoting EMT and metastasis. ECM collagen fibers inhibit Hippo pathway in CAFs, upregulating YAP to activate growth and proliferation.

Credit

Tianlin He

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