MMP1 and MMP11 gene expression in PBMC after co-culture with normal fibroblasts (NF) and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF). Scheme of experimental design (A). MMP1 gene expression in PBMC from healthy women (controls, C-PBMC) before and after co-culture with NF (n = 6) and CAF (n = 11) (B,C), and in PBMC from breast cancer patients (BC-PBMC) before and after co-culture with NF (n = 6) or CAF (n = 24) (D,E). Comparative of the MMP1 gene expression in C-PBMC and BC-PBMC after co-culture with NF (n = 6) and CAF (n = 11) (F,G). Comparative of the MMP11 gene expression in C-PBMC and BC-PBMC after co-culture with NF (n = 6) or CAF (n = 24) (H,I). Data represent the mean ± SD. (* p ≤ 0.05; n.s.: not significant). Results of the qRT-PCR data were represented as ΔΔCT values.