[Frontiers in Bioscience 15, 166-179, January 1, 2010]

Cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in tumor microenvironment

Fei Xing1 , Jamila Saidou1 , KounosukeWatabe1

1Department of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, Southern Illinois University, School of Medicine, 751 N Rutledge St. PO Box 19626, Springfield, IL 627794-9626, USA

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Abstract
2. Introduction
3. CAFs can be distinguished from normal fibroblasts by their unique characteristics
4. CAFs are derived from various origins
4.1. Normal fibroblasts can generate CAFs through genetic alteration
4.2. CAFs may derive from epithelial cells through epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)
4.3. Mesenchymal cells are a potential source of CAFs
4.4. Endothelial cells may become CAFs through endothelial to mesenchymal transition (EndMT)
5. CAFs contribute to tumorigenesis and metastasis by altering the tumor microenvironment.
5.1. CAFs support primary tumor growth
5.2. CAFs support cancer cells invasion and metastasis
5.3. CAFs induce inflammation in cancer regions
6. Cancer stem cell niche and CAFs
7. Clinical significance and future direction
8. References

1. ABSTRACT

Cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) is one of the most crucial components of the tumor microenvironment which promotes the growth and invasion of cancer cells by various mechanisms. CAFs demonstrate a high degree of heterogeneity due to their various origins; however, many distinct morphological features and physiological functions of CAFs have been identified. It is becoming clear that the crosstalk between the cancer cells and the CAFs plays a key role in the progression of cancer, and understanding this mutual relationship would eventually enable us to treat cancer patients by targeting CAFs. In this review, we will discuss the latest findings on the role of CAFs in tumorigenesis and metastasis as well as potential therapeutic implication of CAFs.