Gene expression profiling of fibroblast subpopulations (COLVI+ vs. COLVI-) in mice

Functional studies using genetically modified mice with COLVI-specific STAT3 loss- or gain-of function demonstrated a critical role of STAT3 activation through IL-6 and IL-11 in fibroblasts during colorectal tumorigenesis in vivo. To reveal molecular mechanism specifically involved the STAT3 driven colorectal cancer development, we performed a comparative gene expression profiling by whole genome RNA-sequencing of fibroblasts subpopulations (COLVI+ vs. COLVI-) upon STAT3 activation under different conditions (IL-6 vs. IL-11) uncovering the regulation of transcriptional patterns associated with fibroblast activation, cytokine signaling and angiogenesis.