Moreover, single-cell transcriptomics and proteomics analyses have been employed to validate the significance of scoring-system-related molecules in the identity and function of CAF, including FNDC1, FRMD6, FBN1, RAB31, GLT8D2, COL1A2, GLIS2, COL8A1, GPC6, COL3A1, PRICKLE1, FSTL1, HLX, IGFBP7, and EFS. Consistent with the proteomic data, a previous study established that FSTL1, secreted by activated fibroblasts, promotes hepatocellular carcinoma metastasis and stemness (Loh et al. 2021). This evidence concerns the gene COL8A1 and hepatocellular carcinoma.