MiRNA expression analysis of cancer-associated fibroblasts and normal fibroblasts in breast cancer

► MiRNAs expression profile of cancer-associated fibroblasts and normal fibroblasts derived from breast cancer tissue and its paired normal tissue was systemically analyzed by using miRNA-microarray. ► Three up-regulated miRNAs were found in CAFs: miR-221-5p, miR-31-3p, miR-221-3p. Eight miRNAs were down-regulated in CAFs: miR-205, miR-200b, miR-200c, miR-141, miR-101, miR-342-3p, let-7g, miR-26b. ► The predicted target genes of disregulated miRNAs are involved in a variety of signaling pathways, such as IL-6 and TGF-β pathways, associated with differentiation and function of CAF. ► The activation of IL-6 and TGF-β signaling pathways were proved to play a role in cell migration of CAFs.