In this study, we showed that loss of Pfn1 leads to SMAD3 upregulation in BCC when cultured in soft ECM environment (such as BME matrix) but this effect is abrogated when cells are cultured in a stiffer environment (i.e. either rigid tissue-culture plate or collagen-I-stiffened BME matrix). The gene discussed is PFN1; the disease is skin basal cell carcinoma.