Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the most common malignancy worldwide, and its underlying molecular mechanisms remain largely unexplored. Accumulating evidences indicate cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), abundant stromal cell population in the tumor microenvironment, play a key role in tumor development. Herein, we have successfully isolated CAFs and paired normal fibroblasts (NFs) from colorectal cancer tissues (n=10). By using a multiplex cytokine profiling assay, we have identified IL-6 as a major cytokine released by CAFs. Co-culturing of CAFs with CRC cell lines HCT116 or SW480 increases IL-6 release, and the secretion by CAFs can be further enhanced under hypoxia. By using the CCK-8 assay, we have found that HCT116 or SW480 cells treated with culture medium from CAFs, IL-6, or hypoxia showed a significant cell growth compared to control cells (p<0.01). Mechanistically, we have found that hypoxia could enhance the effect of the IL-6/STAT3 signaling on CRC cells, in part, through HIF-1 alpha targeting PKM2. In conclusion, our data clearly proposes the interconnected mechanisms for constitutive activation of STAT3 signal by CAFs-derived IL-6 under hypoxia in colorectal cancer. The pharmacological inhibition of STAT3, PKM2, or HIF-1 alpha can significantly reduce the oncogenic effect of IL-6, providing a potential therapeutic target for CRC patients.
基金:
Youth Foundation of Shanghai Municipal Commission of Health and Family Planning [20174Y0084]; Science and Technology Commission of Changning District of Shanghai [CNKW2018Y02]; Interdisciplinary Program of Shanghai Jiao Tong University [ZH2018QNB24]
第一作者机构:[1]Shanghai Jiao Tong Univ, Tongren Hosp, Digest Endoscopy Ctr, Sch Med, Shanghai, Peoples R China
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推荐引用方式(GB/T 7714):
Xu Ying,Kuai Rong,Chu Yi-Min,et al.Hypoxia facilitates the proliferation of colorectal cancer cells by inducing cancer-associated fibroblast-derived IL6[J].NEOPLASMA.2021,68(5):1015-+.doi:10.4149/neo_2021_210308N296.
APA:
Xu, Ying,Kuai, Rong,Chu, Yi-Min,Zhou, Lu,Zhang, Hai-Qin&Li, Ji.(2021).Hypoxia facilitates the proliferation of colorectal cancer cells by inducing cancer-associated fibroblast-derived IL6.NEOPLASMA,68,(5)
MLA:
Xu, Ying,et al."Hypoxia facilitates the proliferation of colorectal cancer cells by inducing cancer-associated fibroblast-derived IL6".NEOPLASMA 68..5(2021):1015-+