-
Clinical and Translational Medicine Nov 2023Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a complex, multistep disease that arises from the interplay genetic mutations and epigenetic alterations. The histone H3K36...
BACKGOUND
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a complex, multistep disease that arises from the interplay genetic mutations and epigenetic alterations. The histone H3K36 trimethyltransferase SET domain-containing 2 (SETD2), as an epigenetic signalling molecule, has a 5% mutation rate in CRC. SETD2 expression is decreased in the development of human CRC and mice treated with Azoxymethane /Dextran sodium sulfate (AOM/DSS). Loss of SETD2 promoted CRC development. SMAD Family member 4 (SMAD4) has a 14% mutation rate in CRC, and SMAD4 ablation leads to CRC. The co-mutation of SETD2 and SMAD4 predicted advanced CRC. However, little is known on the potential synergistic effect of SETD2 and SMAD4.
METHODS
CRC tissues from mice and SW620 cells were used as research subjects. Clinical databases of CRC patients were analyzed to investigate the association between SETD2 and SMAD4. SETD2 and SMAD4 double-knockout mice were established to further investigate the role of SETD2 in SMAD4-deficient CRC. The intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) were isolated for RNA sequencing and chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq) to explore the mechanism and the key molecules resulting in CRC. Molecular and cellular experiments were conducted to analyze the role of SETD2 in SMAD4-deficient CRC. Finally, rescue experiments were performed to confirm the molecular mechanism of SETD2 in the development of SMAD4-dificient CRC.
RESULTS
The deletion of SETD2 promotes the malignant progression of SMAD4-deficient CRC. Smad4 ; Setd2 mice developed a more severe CRC phenotype after AOM/DSS induction, with a larger tumour size and a more vigorous epithelial proliferation rate. Further mechanistic findings revealed that the loss of SETD2 resulted in the down-regulation of DUSP7, which is involved in the inhibition of the RAS/ERK signalling pathway. Finally, the ERK1/2 inhibitor SCH772984 significantly attenuated the progression of CRC in Smad4 ;Setd2 mice, and overexpression of DUSP7 significantly inhibited the proliferation rates of SETD2 ; SMAD4 SW620 cells.
CONCLUSIONS
Our results demonstrated that SETD2 inhibits the RAS/ERK signaling pathway by facilitating the transcription of DUSP7 in SMAD4-deficient CRC, which could provide a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of advanced CRC.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Mice; Colorectal Neoplasms; Down-Regulation; Dual-Specificity Phosphatases; Epithelial Cells; Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase; Signal Transduction; Smad4 Protein
PubMed: 37962020
DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.1475 -
Oncoimmunology 2023Formyl peptide receptor-1 (FPR1) is a pattern recognition receptor that is mostly expressed by myeloid cells. In patients with colorectal cancer (CRC), a...
Formyl peptide receptor-1 (FPR1) is a pattern recognition receptor that is mostly expressed by myeloid cells. In patients with colorectal cancer (CRC), a loss-of-function polymorphism (rs867228) in the gene coding for FPR1 has been associated with reduced responses to chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy. Moreover, rs867228 is associated with accelerated esophageal and colorectal carcinogenesis. Here, we show that dendritic cells from mice exhibit reduced migration in response to chemotherapy-treated CRC cells. Moreover, mice are particularly susceptible to chronic ulcerative colitis and colorectal oncogenesis induced by the mutagen azoxymethane followed by oral dextran sodium sulfate, a detergent that induces colitis. These experiments were performed after initial co-housing of mice and wild-type controls, precluding major Fpr1-driven differences in the microbiota. Pharmacological inhibition of Fpr1 by cyclosporin H also tended to increase intestinal oncogenesis in mice bearing the mutation, and this effect was reversed by the anti-inflammatory drug sulindac. We conclude that defective FPR1 signaling favors intestinal tumorigenesis through the modulation of the innate inflammatory/immune response.
Topics: Animals; Mice; Carcinogenesis; Colitis; Colorectal Neoplasms; Receptors, Formyl Peptide; Signal Transduction
PubMed: 37492227
DOI: 10.1080/2162402X.2023.2237354 -
Molecular Metabolism Sep 2023Sufficient evidence has linked many different types of cancers and T2D through shared risk factors; however, the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood....
Sufficient evidence has linked many different types of cancers and T2D through shared risk factors; however, the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. α-Hydroxybutyrate (α-HB), a byproduct metabolite increased in diabetes and cancer, including colorectal cancer (CRC), triggers lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA) nuclear translocation. Nuclear LDHA markedly extends NF-κB nuclear retention by interacting with phosphorylated p65, leading to an increase in TNF-α production, impaired insulin secretion and the exacerbation of azoxymethane (AOM)/dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced CRC and high-fat diet (HFD)-induced type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, metformin interrupted this process by inhibiting the transcription of FOXM1 and c-MYC, the resultant downregulation of LDHA expression and α-HB-induced LDHA nuclear translocation. Thus, the results reveal the elevated α-HB level could be a novel shared risk factor of linking CRC, diabetes and the use of metformin treatment, as well as highlight the importance of preventing NF-κB activation for protecting against cancer and diabetes.
Topics: Humans; NF-kappa B; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Colorectal Neoplasms; Signal Transduction
PubMed: 37406987
DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2023.101766 -
Autophagy Feb 2024A. muciniphila: Akkermansia muciniphila; AIEC: adherent invasive Escherichia coli; AOM/DSS: azoxymethane-dextran sodium sulfate; ATG: autophagy related; BECN1: beclin1,... (Review)
Review
A. muciniphila: Akkermansia muciniphila; AIEC: adherent invasive Escherichia coli; AOM/DSS: azoxymethane-dextran sodium sulfate; ATG: autophagy related; BECN1: beclin1, autophagy related; CAC: colitis-associated colon cancer; CCDC50: coiled-coil domain containing 50; CLDN2: claudin 2; CoPEC: colibactin-producing Escherichia coli; CRC: colorectal cancer; DAMPs: danger/damage-associated molecular patterns; DC: dendritic cell; DSS: dextran sulfate sodium; DTP: drug-resistant persistent; ER: endoplasmic reticulum; ERN1/IRE1α: endoplasmic reticulum to nucleus signaling 1; IBD: inflammatory bowel disease; IECs: intestinal epithelial cells; IKK: IkappaB kinase; IL: interleukin; IRGM1: immunity-related GTPase family M member 1; ISC: intestinal stem cell; LPS: lipopolysaccharide; MAP1LC3/LC3: microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3; MAPK: mitogen-activated protein kinase; MDP: muramyl dipeptide; MELK: maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase; MHC: major histocompatibility complex; miRNA: microRNA; MTOR: mechanistic target of rapamycin kinase; NLRP3: NLR family, pyrin domain containing 3; NOD2: nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain containing 2; NRBF2: nuclear receptor binding factor 2; PAMPs: pathogen-associated molecular patterns; PI3K: class I phosphoinositide 3-kinase; PtdIns3K: class III phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase; PYCARD/ASC: PYD and CARD domain containing; RALGAPA2/RalGAPα2: Ral GTPase activating protein protein, alpha subunit 2 (catalytic); RIPK2/CARD3: receptor (TNFRSF)-interacting serine-threonine kinase 2; RIPK3: receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase 3; ROS: reactive oxygen species; sCRC: sporadic colorectal cancer; SMARCA4/BRG1: SWI/SNF related, matrix associated, actin dependent regulator of chromatin, subfamily a, member 4; SQSTM1: sequestosome 1; STAT3: signal transducer and activator of transcription 3; TNF/TNFA: tumor necrosis factor; ULK1: unc-51 like autophagy activating kinase 1; UPR: unfolded protein response; WT: wild-type.
Topics: Humans; Autophagy; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; Endoribonucleases; Colitis-Associated Neoplasms; Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases; Escherichia coli; DNA Helicases; Nuclear Proteins; Transcription Factors; GTPase-Activating Proteins
PubMed: 37723664
DOI: 10.1080/15548627.2023.2259214 -
Clinical and Translational Medicine Aug 2023The tumourigenesis of various cancers is influenced by epigenetic deregulation. Among 591 epigenetic regulator factors (ERFs) examined, AF9 showed significant inhibition...
BACKGROUND
The tumourigenesis of various cancers is influenced by epigenetic deregulation. Among 591 epigenetic regulator factors (ERFs) examined, AF9 showed significant inhibition of malignancy in colorectal cancer (CRC) based on our wound healing assays. However, the precise role of AF9 in CRC remains to be explored.
METHODS
To investigate the function of AF9 in CRC, we utilised small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) to knock down the expression of 591 ERFs. Subsequently, we performed wound healing assays to evaluate cell proliferation and migration. In vitro and in vivo assays were conducted to elucidate the potential impact of AF9 in CRC. Clinical samples were analysed to assess the association between AF9 expression and CRC prognosis. Additionally, an Azoxymethane-Dextran Sodium Sulfate (AOM/DSS) induced CRC AF9 mouse model was employed to confirm the role of AF9 in CRC. To identify the target gene of AF9, RNA-seq and coimmunoprecipitation analyses were performed. Furthermore, bioinformatics prediction was applied to identify potential miRNAs that target AF9.
RESULTS
Among the 591 ERFs examined, AF9 exhibited downregulation in CRC and showed a positive correlation with prolonged survival in CRC patients. In vitro and in vivo assays proved that depletion of AF9 could promote cell proliferation, migration as well as glycolysis. Specifically, knockout of MLLT3 (AF9) in intestinal epithelial cells significantly increased tumour formation induced by AOM/DSS. We also identified miR-145 could target 3'untranslated region of AF9 to suppress AF9 expression. Loss of AF9 led to decreased expression of gluconeogenic genes, including phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 2 (PCK2) and fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase 1 (FBP1), subsequently promoting glucose consumption and tumourigenesis.
CONCLUSIONS
AF9 is essential for the upregulation of PCK2 and FBP1, and the disruption of the miR-145/AF9 axis may serve as a potential target for the development of CRC therapeutics.
Topics: Animals; Mice; Carcinogenesis; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; Colorectal Neoplasms; Glycolysis; MicroRNAs; RNA, Small Interfering
PubMed: 37565737
DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.1352 -
Cell Reports Aug 2023Cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) and retinoblastoma protein (RB) are both important cell-cycle regulators that function in different scenarios. Here, we report that FERM...
Cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) and retinoblastoma protein (RB) are both important cell-cycle regulators that function in different scenarios. Here, we report that FERM domain-containing 8 (FRMD8) inhibits CDK4 activation and stabilizes RB, thereby causing cell-cycle arrest and inhibiting colorectal cancer (CRC) cell growth. FRMD8 interacts separately with CDK7 and CDK4, and it disrupts the interaction of CDK7 with CDK4, subsequently inhibiting CDK4 activation. FRMD8 competes with MDM2 to bind RB and attenuates MDM2-mediated RB degradation. Frmd8 deficiency in mice accelerates azoxymethane/dextran-sodium-sulfate-induced colorectal adenoma formation. The FRMD8 promoter is hypermethylated, and low expression of FRMD8 predicts poor prognosis in CRC patients. Further, we identify an LKCHE-containing FRMD8 peptide that blocks MDM2 binding to RB and stabilizes RB. Combined application of the CDK4 inhibitor and FRMD8 peptide leads to marked suppression of CRC cell growth. Therefore, using an LKCHE-containing peptide to interfere with the MDM2-RB interaction may have therapeutic value in CDK4/6 inhibitor-resistant patients.
Topics: Animals; Mice; Colonic Neoplasms; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4; Cyclin-Dependent Kinases; Phosphorylation; Retinoblastoma Protein
PubMed: 37527040
DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112886 -
Frontiers in Oncology 2023The chemoattractant receptor, G protein-coupled receptor 15 (GPR15), promotes colon homing of T cells in health and colitis. GPR15 function in colon cancer is largely...
INTRODUCTION
The chemoattractant receptor, G protein-coupled receptor 15 (GPR15), promotes colon homing of T cells in health and colitis. GPR15 function in colon cancer is largely unexplored, motivating our current studies.
METHODS
In human study, immune cells were isolated from tumor tissues and healthy surgical tumor margins (STM), and their proportions as well as expression of GPR15 was analyzed by flow cytometry. In mouse studies, colon cancer was induced in GPR15-deficient (KO) and GPR15-suficient (Het) mice using azoxymethane (AOM) and dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) solution in drinking water. Serial endoscopy was performed in mice to monitor and visualize the distal region of colon. Mice were euthanized 10 weeks after the initial DSS administration, and the colon length and the number of polyps were recorded. Next, we identified the effects of GPR15L on established tumors in the MC38-colorectal cancer (CRC) mouse model. Immune cells were isolated from the mice colons or tumors and assessed by flow cytometry.
RESULTS
Our analysis of human CRC tissue revealed a significant reduction in GPR15 immune cell frequencies in tumors compared to 'tumor-free' surgical margins. Similarly, our data analysis using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) indicated that lower GPR15 expression is associated with poor survival in human colon cancer. In the AOM/DSS colitis-associated colon cancer model, we observed increased colonic polyps and lower survival in -KO compared to -Het mice. Analysis of immune cell infiltrates in the colonic polyps showed significantly decreased CD8 T cells and increased IL-17 CD4 and IL-17 CD8 T cells in Gpr15-KO than in Het mice. Consistent with a protective role of GPR15, administration of GPR15L to established tumors in the MC38-CRC model increased CD45 cell infiltration, enhanced TNFa expression on CD4+ and CD8+ T cells at the tumor site and dramatically reduced tumor burden.
DISCUSSION
Our findings highlight an important, unidentified role of the GPR15-GPR15L axis in promoting a tumor-suppressive immune microenvironment and unveils a novel, colon-specific therapeutic target for CRC.
PubMed: 38074634
DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1254307 -
PeerJ 2023Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer. It is a heterogeneous disease, including both hereditary and sporadic types of tumors. CRC results from complex... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer. It is a heterogeneous disease, including both hereditary and sporadic types of tumors. CRC results from complex interactions between various genetic and environmental factors. Inflammatory bowel disease is an important risk factor for developing CRC. Despite growing understanding of the CRC biology, preclinical models are still needed to investigate the etiology and pathogenesis of the disease, as well as to find new methods of treatment and prevention.
OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this review is to describe existing murine models of CRC with a focus on the models of colitis-associated CRC. This manuscript could be relevant for experimental biologists and oncologists.
METHODOLOGY
We checked PubMed and Google from 01/2018 to 05/2023 for reviews of CRC models. In addition, we searched PubMed from 01/2022 to 01/2023 for articles using the azoxymethane (AOM)/dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) CRC model.
RESULTS
Existing murine models of CRC include spontaneous, genetically engineered, transplantation, and chemically induced models. For the study of colitis-associated cancer (CAC), the AOM/DSS model is predominantly used. This model is very similar in histological and molecular characteristics to the human CAC, and is highly reproducible, inexpensive, and easy to use. Despite its popularity, the AOM/DSS model is not standardized, which makes it difficult to analyze and compare data from different studies.
CONCLUSIONS
Each model demonstrates particular advantages and disadvantages, and allows to reproduce different subtypes or aspects of the pathogenesis of CRC.
Topics: Mice; Humans; Animals; Azoxymethane; Dextran Sulfate; Colitis-Associated Neoplasms; Colitis; Disease Models, Animal; Colorectal Neoplasms
PubMed: 37927787
DOI: 10.7717/peerj.16159 -
Pharmacological Research Sep 2023Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have a higher risk of developing colitis-associated colorectal cancer (CAC) with poor prognosis. IBD etiology remains...
BACKGROUND
Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have a higher risk of developing colitis-associated colorectal cancer (CAC) with poor prognosis. IBD etiology remains undefined but involves environmental factors, genetic predisposition, microbiota imbalance (dysbiosis) and mucosal immune defects. Mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) injections have shown good efficacy in reducing intestinal inflammation in animal and human studies. However, their effect on tumor growth in CAC and their capacity to restore gut dysbiosis are not clear.
METHODS
The outcome of systemic administrations of in vitro expanded human intestinal MSCs (iMSCs) on tumor growth in vivo was evaluated using the AOM/DSS model of CAC in C57BL/6J mice. Innate and adaptive immune responses in blood, mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs) and colonic tissue were analyzed by flow cytometry. Intestinal microbiota composition was evaluated by 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing.
RESULTS
iMSCs significantly inhibited colitis and intestinal tumor development, reducing IL-6 and COX-2 expression, and IL-6/STAT3 and PI3K/Akt signaling. iMSCs decreased colonic immune cell infiltration, and partly restored intestinal monocyte homing and differentiation. iMSC administration increased the numbers of Tregs and IFN-γCD8 T cells in the MLNs while decreasing the IL-4Th2 response. It also ameliorated intestinal dysbiosis in CAC mice, increasing diversity and Bacillota/Bacteroidota ratio, as well as Akkermansia abundance, while reducing Alistipes and Turicibacter, genera associated with inflammation.
CONCLUSION
Administration of iMSCs protects against CAC, ameliorating colitis and partially reverting intestinal dysbiosis, supporting the use of MSCs for the treatment of IBD.
Topics: Humans; Mice; Animals; Colitis-Associated Neoplasms; Interleukin-6; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Dysbiosis; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; Colitis; Inflammation; Colon; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases; Immunity; Mesenchymal Stem Cells; Dextran Sulfate; Disease Models, Animal
PubMed: 37586618
DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106891 -
Cancer Letters Dec 2023Metastasis is the primary cause of death in colorectal cancer (CRC). Thyroid hormone receptor interacting protein 6 (TRIP6) is an adaptor protein that regulates cell...
Metastasis is the primary cause of death in colorectal cancer (CRC). Thyroid hormone receptor interacting protein 6 (TRIP6) is an adaptor protein that regulates cell motility. Here, we aim to elucidate the role of TRIP6 in driving CRC tumorigenesis and metastasis and evaluate its potential as a therapeutic target. TRIP6 mRNA is up-regulated in CRC compared to adjacent normal tissues in three independent cohorts (all P < 0.0001), especially in liver metastases (P < 0.001). High TRIP6 expression predicts poor prognosis of CRC patients in our cohort (P = 0.01) and TCGA cohort (P = 0.02). Colon-specific TRIP6 overexpression (Trip6Villin-Cre) in mice accelerated azoxymethane (AOM)-induced CRC (P < 0.05) and submucosal invasion (P < 0.0001). In contrast, TRIP6 knockout (Trip6 mice) slowed tumorigenesis (P < 0.05). Consistently, TRIP6 overexpression in CRC cells promoted epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), cell migration/invasion in vitro, and metastases in vivo (all P < 0.05), whereas knockdown of TRIP6 exerted opposite phenotypes. Mechanistically, TRIP6 interacted PDZ domain-containing proteins such as PARD3 to impair tight junctions, evidenced by decreased tight junction markers and gut permeability dysfunction, inhibit PTEN, and activate oncogenic Akt signaling. TRIP6-induced pro-metastatic phenotypes and Akt activation depends on PARD3. Targeting TRIP6 by VNP-encapsulated TRIP6-siRNA synergized with Oxaliplatin and 5-Fluorouracil to suppress CRC liver metastases. In conclusion, TRIP6 promotes CRC metastasis by directly interacting with PARD3 to disrupt tight junctions and activating Akt signaling. Targeting of TRIP6 in combination with chemotherapy is a promising strategy for the treatment of metastatic CRC.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Mice; Carcinogenesis; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Movement; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; Colorectal Neoplasms; Drug Resistance; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Liver Neoplasms; Neoplasm Metastasis; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; Tight Junctions; Transcription Factors
PubMed: 37827326
DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2023.216438