The abundances of fibroblasts in TME were confirmed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining of α-SMA, and the results showed that high density of α-SMA expression were observed in CRC tissues than that in normal adjacent tissues (NATs), which suggest that fibroblasts is more abundance in CRC tissues (Fig. 1a). The gene discussed is ACTA1; the disease is colorectal carcinoma.