Fibroblasts, an inconspicuous but essential player in colon cancer development and progression

Figure 1 Origin of cancer associated fibroblasts. A variety of cells can generate to CAFs. The most important cellular source of CAFs in CRC is presumed to be resident fibroblasts. Stellate cells in intestine may be able to transform into CAFs similarly as stellate cells in liver and pancreas do. Other potential sources include epithelial cells undergoing EMT, endothelial cells undergoing EndMT, smooth muscle cells, and bone marrow-derived cells including fibrocytes and MSCs. CAFs: Cancer associated fibroblasts; CRC: Colorectal cancer; EMT: Epithelial-mesenchymal transition; EdnMT: Endothelial-mesenchymal transition; MSCs: Mesenchymal stem cells.