The two cell subsets, identified both in normal and in cancer tissues, were stably demarked by the expression CD105, a co-receptor for the TGFb family ligands: CD105 positive fibroblasts gave rise to tumor permissive CAFs, while CD105 negative fibroblasts differentiated into CAFs with tumor suppressive properties, by supporting anti-tumor immunity. The gene discussed is TGFB1; the disease is cancer.