Abstract
Interaction between a tumor and its microenvironment is important for tumor initiation and progression. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) within the tumor interact with a microenvironmental niche that controls their maintenance and differentiation. We investigated the CSC-promoting effect of factors released from myofibroblasts into the microenvironment of early colorectal cancer tumors and its molecular mechanism. By messenger RNA microarray analysis, expression of HES1, a Notch signaling target, significantly increased in Caco-2 cells cocultured with 18Co cells (pericryptal myofibroblasts), compared to its expression in Caco-2 cells cultured alone. Caco-2 cells cultured in 18Co-conditioned media (CM) showed a significant increase in CD133+CD44+ cells and HES1 expression compared to that in Caco-2 cells cultured in regular media. Significant amounts of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-8 were detected in 18Co-CM compared to levels in regular media. The 18Co-CM-induced increase in CD133+CD44+ cells was attenuated by IL-6- and IL-8-neutralizing antibodies. Furthermore, these neutralizing antibodies and inhibitors of STAT3 and gamma-secretase reduced the expression of HES1 induced in Caco-2 cells cultured in 18Co-CM. Immunohistochemical analysis of human tissues revealed that IL-6, IL-8, and HES1 expression increased from normal to adenoma, and from adenoma to cancer tissues. In addition, IL-6 and HES1 expression was positively correlated in early colorectal cancer tissues. In conclusion, the increase of CSCs by myofibroblasts could be mediated by IL-6/IL-8-induced HES1 activation in the tumor microenvironment. Based on these data, the IL-6/IL-8-mediated Notch/HES1 and STAT3 pathway, through which CSCs interact with their microenvironment, might be a potential target for the prevention and treatment of colorectal tumors.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 188-200 |
Number of pages | 13 |
Journal | Molecular Carcinogenesis |
Volume | 60 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2021 Mar |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:This study was supported by the Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Education [2015R1D1A1A01061002]; and a grant from the Korea Health Technology R&D Project through the Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI) funded by the Ministry of Health & Welfare, Republic of Korea [HI14C1324].
Funding Information:
This study was supported by the Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Education [2015R1D1A1A01061002]; and a grant from the Korea Health Technology R&D Project through the Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI) funded by the Ministry of Health & Welfare, Republic of Korea [HI14C1324].
Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research