CAF-secreted CTHRC1 mediates the migration, invasiveness and EMT of BC cells via activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. (A) Protein expression of β-catenin, cyclin D1 and c-Myc in MDA-MB-468 BC cells induced by CAF-CM in the presence of CTHRC1 neutralizing or IgG isotype control antibody was analyzed by western blotting. (B) Quantitative analysis of β-catenin, cyclin D1 and c-Myc expression level. **P<0.01 vs. the control group; ##P<0.01 vs. the CAF-CM+lgG group. (C) proliferation and (D) β-catenin expression was concentration-dependent. *P<0.05 and **P<0.01 vs. the control group (0 ng/ml DKK1). Effect of CAF-CM induction on MDA-MB-468 cell (E and F) migration and (G and H) invasiveness was evaluated 24 h after Wnt/β-catenin pathway inhibition via neutralizing antibody or DKK1 administration. **P<0.01 vs. the CAF-CM+Ab-CTHRC1 group; ##P<0.01 vs. the CAF-CM+DKK1 group. (I and J) Protein expression of E-cadherin, N-cadherin, vimentin, w-catenin, cyclin D1 and c-Myc in MDA-MB-468 BC cells induced by CAF-CM in the presence of CTHRC1 neutralizing antibody or DKK1. **P<0.01 vs. the CAF-CM+Ab-CTHRC1 group; ##P<0.01 vs. the CAF-CM+DKK1 group. CTHRC1, collagen triple helix repeat containing-1; CAF, cancer-associated fibroblast; CM, conditioned media; DKK1, Dickkopf-1.