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Colorectal cancer cells secreting DKK4 transform fibroblasts to promote tumour metastasis.
- Source :
-
Oncogene [Oncogene] 2024 May; Vol. 43 (20), pp. 1506-1521. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Mar 22. - Publication Year :
- 2024
-
Abstract
- Wnt/β-catenin signalling is aberrantly activated in most colorectal cancer (CRC) and is one key driver involved in the initiation and progression of CRC. However, mutations of APC gene in CRC patients retain certain activity of APC protein with decreased β-catenin signalling and DKK4 expression significantly upregulates and represses Wnt/β-catenin signalling in human CRC tissues, suggesting that a precisely modulated activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway is essential for CRC formation and progression. The underlying reasons why a specifically reduced degree, not a fully activating degree, of β-catenin signalling in CRC are unclear. Here, we showed that a soluble extracellular inhibitor of Wnt/β-catenin signalling, DKK4, is an independent factor for poor outcomes in CRC patients. DKK4 secreted from CRC cells inactivates β-catenin in fibroblasts to induce the formation of stress fibre-containing fibroblasts and myofibroblasts in culture conditions and in mouse CRC xenograft tissues, resulting in restricted expansion in tumour masses at primary sites and enhanced CRC metastasis in mouse models. Reduced β-catenin activity by a chemical inhibitor MSAB promoted the CRC metastasis. Our findings demonstrate why reduced β-catenin activity is needed for CRC progression and provide a mechanism by which interactions between CRC cells and stromal cells affect disease promotion.<br /> (© 2024. The Author(s).)
- Subjects :
- Humans
Animals
Mice
Fibroblasts metabolism
Fibroblasts pathology
Cell Line, Tumor
Male
Female
Mice, Nude
Colorectal Neoplasms pathology
Colorectal Neoplasms metabolism
Colorectal Neoplasms genetics
Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins metabolism
Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins genetics
beta Catenin metabolism
beta Catenin genetics
Wnt Signaling Pathway
Neoplasm Metastasis
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1476-5594
- Volume :
- 43
- Issue :
- 20
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Oncogene
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 38519641
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41388-024-03008-1