Targeting INHBA in Ovarian Cancer Cells Suppresses Cancer Xenograft Growth by Attenuating Stromal Fibroblast Activation

Figure 7

Schematic representation of the effect of INHBA derived from cancer cells on human ovarian stromal fibroblasts. INHBA from cancer cells triggered the Smad2 phosphorylation and induced activation of stromal fibroblasts, as evidenced by increased expression of fibroblast activation markers such as α-SMA, FAP, and FSP1. The activated stromal fibroblasts in turn promoted the growth of cancer cells and advanced cancer progression.