Fig. 7. A summary of the roles played by the IL1R1⁺ CAFs in the CRC TME. The IL1R1⁺ subtype of CAFs is linked to lower survival and to higher tumor growth and immune evasion (M2 polarization and T cell exhaustion markers).

IL1R1⁺ iCAFs show increased IL-1 signaling and NFκB pathway activation, leading to the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines participating in tumor growth. Finally, IL1R1⁺ CAFs favor infiltration of Th17 cells into the TME.