biostudies-literatureUnknown25(1)Duan XCancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) can interact with macrophages in the tumor microenvironment by secreting extracellular vesicles (EVs), thereby affecting tumor progression. However, the mechanisms of CAF-secreted EVs in gastric cancer (GC) remain not well understood. Here, we investigated the effect of CAF-EVs on macrophage polarization in GC and the underlying mechanisms. Macrophage polarization was evaluated using flow cytometry and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. GC cell proliferation was determined using cell counting kit-8, EdU, and colony formation assays. The molecular mechanism was explored using microarray analysis, dual-luciferase reporter assay, and RNA pull-down analysis. The results showed that CAFs secreted EVs that inhibit macrophage M1 polarization andCancer biology & therapy2424490https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC11542604biostudies-literatureExtracellular vesicle-packaged miR-4253 secreted by cancer-associated fibroblasts facilitates cell proliferation in gastric cancer by inducing macrophage M2 polarization.PMC11542604Gan JDuan XYu XfalseExtracellular vesicle-packaged miR-4253 secreted by cancer-associated fibroblasts facilitates cell proliferation in gastric cancer by inducing macrophage M2 polarization.Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) can interact with macrophages in the tumor microenvironment by secreting extracellular vesicles (EVs), thereby affecting tumor progression. However, the mechanisms of CAF-secreted EVs in gastric cancer (GC) remain not well understood. Here, we investigated the effect of CAF-EVs on macrophage polarization in GC and the underlying mechanisms. Macrophage polarization was evaluated using flow cytometry and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. GC cell proliferation was determined using cell counting kit-8, EdU, and colony formation assays. The molecular mechanism was explored using microarray analysis, dual-luciferase reporter assay, and RNA pull-down analysis. The results showed that CAFs secreted EVs that inhibit macrophage M1 polarization and2024-01-01T00:00:00Z2024 Dec2025-04-04T14:56:59.815Z2025-04-04T14:56:59.815ZS-EPMC115426043950570810.1080/15384047.2024.2424490