FIG. 2.

Similarities in the mechanical environments of cancer and fibrosis. Although the biochemical environments found in cancer and fibrosis are different, fibroblasts experience similar mechanical changes in both cancer and fibrosis, including enhanced alignment of the ECM and increased cross-linking, which can modulate the density and stiffness of the substrate. These mechanical changes result in similar cellular responses in CAFs and FAFs, including elevated $\alpha$-SMA expression, enhanced ECM production, and nuclear translocation of YAP/TAZ which has been shown to contribute to the persistent activation of fibroblasts.