MMP2 and cancer: By comparing the downregulated genes in CAFs incubated with ExoHCT116 KD (Supplementary Table 7) and upregulated genes in CAFs incubated with ExoSW480 OE (Supplementary Table 8), we observed some cancer-promoting genes, including CXCL5, TGF-β, MMP2, SERPINE1, LOX and STC1 (Fig. 5A–C), suggesting that exosomal HSPC111 may enhance the cancer-promoting effects of HSCs by epigenetic regulation of gene transcription.