Besides, CAFs remodel the ECM by secreting multiple matrix proteins (e.g., fibronectin and collagen I) and producing MMPs (e.g., MMP-1, MMP-3), facilitating the degradation of normal ECM structure along with increasing matrix stiffness, so as to boost tumor cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and immune suppression (17, 73). Here, MMP3 is linked to neoplasm.