SOX2 and breast cancer: For example, the binding of collagen to α2β1 integrin results in the activation of hedgehog signaling and the nuclear translocation of Bmi1, a stemness-inducing transcription factor.38 Laminin maintains breast cancer stemness through the activation of α6β1 integrin in a TAZ-dependent manner, leading to the upregulation of stemness transcription factors, such as OCT4, SOX2, and NANOG.39 Notably, the physical properties of ECM are crucial in regulating self-renewal and differentiation of CSCs.