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Variations in Fibrotic Activity of CAFs Measured Using Noninvasive Biomarkers
June 17, 2024
Variations in fibrotic activity of cancer-associated fibroblasts from different tissues measured using noninvasive, clinically validated biomarkers
Introduction
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are pivotal orchestrators of tumor progression through their modulation of the extracellular matrix (ECM), particularly via the deposition of collagens. Different stimuli (e.g. TGF-β, PDGF-AB, IL-1α) can activate fibroblasts and induce phenotypic alterations in CAFs, promoting a pro-tumorigenic microenvironment characterized by enhanced ECM synthesis and remodeling. Consequently, targeting CAFs and their related pathways presents a promising therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment. However, numerous studies have revealed that CAFs exhibit heterogeneity both within and between individual tissues. Despite this, the specific patterns of collagen deposition by different CAFs remain insufficiently characterized.
In this study, we investigated the fibrotic activity of CAFs from various cancer tissues by measuring the production of three specific collagen peptides in vitro using non-invasive, clinically validated biomarkers.
Poster
Conclusion
These findings underscore the heterogeneity in collagen production and fibrotic activity among CAFs from different indications, providing valuable insights into the ECM dynamics within distinct TMEs.
Collagen-based non-invasive biomarkers demonstrate the capability to differentiate between the fibrotic activity of CAFs isolated from different tissues. In conclusion, this model proves to be a useful tool for anti-fibrotic drug screening.
