Fig. 2: The relationships and mechanism of MSCs in the TME.
From: Mesenchymal/stromal stem cells: necessary factors in tumour progression
MSCs can be recruited from other tissues through vessels (while some MSCs reside in the TME) and then transform into TA-MSCs via HIF, CXCL and BMP signalling. TA-MSCs regulate immune cells via paracrine signalling (TGF-α, TGF-β, IL-10, and PG) and transform into CAFs or mediate CAF-related malignant processes via TGF-β, SDF-1α and ASPN signalling. TA-MSCs also maintain the CSC population through miR-119a/214, FOXP2, and HIF signalling.
