Differences in tumor-associated cytokine production and immune mechanisms between myofibroblastic cancer associated fibroblasts and myofibroblasts

Despite advances in oral cancer treatment, therapeutic resistance remains a major challenge. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play a pivotal role in shaping the tumor microenvironment. Building on our previous findings on immune responses in gingival fibroblasts, we investigated the immune characteristics of CAFs. Myofibroblast CAF-like cells (myCAF-like) were established using a co-culture system and compared with gingival fibroblast–derived myofibroblasts. MyCAF-like cells exhibited markedly reduced expression of TLR3 and TLR4, whereas RIG-I, COX-2, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 were significantly upregulated. Activation of p38 MAPK signaling contributed to the increased expression of COX-2 and pro-inflammatory cytokines, and TGF-β was involved in the phenotypic transformation of gingival fibroblasts into myCAF-like cells. Microarray analysis revealed upregulation of IL-1α, IL-1β, CXCL8, PTGS2, and CXCL5, alongside downregulation of OMD, COL15A1, and ASPN in myCAF-like cells. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that CAFs acquire a distinct inflammatory signature that differs from gingival fibroblasts and promotes tumor invasion and progression. Targeting CAF-associated inflammatory and signaling pathways may represent a promising strategy to overcome tumor infiltration and treatment resistance in oral cancer.