 Tenascin C interferes with the adhesion of many cells to fibronectin, which led to the concept that it is anti-adhesive[1, 2].Tenascin C accumulates in the stroma of carcinomas and is a sensitive tumor marker that is involved in cancer metastasis.More recently, Ruth Chiquet-Ehrismann and her group discovered roles for tenascin C and tenascin W in stem cell[3] and cancer metastatic niches[4], and elucidated how tenascin C expression is controlled by the transcription factor MKL1, that links cellular mechanosensation to fibrosis and cancer progression[5].