Fig. 8

Cell-to-cell communication networks between MFAP5 + fibroblasts and tumor-infiltrating myeloid cells in CRC TME. In our analyses, we demonstrated that MFAP5 + fibroblasts have mutual interactions with C1QC + macrophages and other myeloid cells. In detail, MFAP5 + fibroblasts could release ligands include MIF, TGF-β, FN1 and Collagens to bind with corresponding receptors of myeloid cells so as to remodel the unfavorable conditions, besides, MFAP5 + fibroblasts could significantly interact with C1QC + macrophages through IL34/CSF1R and C3/C3AR1/(ITGAX + ITGB2)/(ITGAM + ITGB2) axes to module C1QC + macrophages phenotype and its immunomodulatory functions in tumor tissues. Reciprocally, myeloid cells could also secrete various factors to reshape the malignant behaviors of MFAP5 + fibroblasts by the EGF and VISFATIN signals