Project description:To uncover molecular mechanisms specifically involved in the pathogenesis of colitis-associated colon cancer (CAC), we studied tumorigenesis in experimental models of CAC and sporadic CRC that mimic characteristics of human CRC. Using comparative whole genome expression profiling, we observed differential expression of epiregulin (Ereg) in mouse models of colitis-associated, but not sporadic colorectal cancer. Similarly, highly significant upregulation of Ereg expression was found in cohorts of patients with colitis-associated cancer in inflammatory bowel disease but not in sporadic colorectal cancer. Furthermore, tumor-associated fibroblasts were identified as major source of Ereg in colitis-associated neoplasias. Functional studies showed that Ereg-deficient mice, although more prone to colitis, are strongly protected from colitis-associated tumors, and data from serial endoscopic studies revealed that Ereg promotes growth rather than initiation of tumors.
Project description:To uncover molecular mechanisms specifically involved in the pathogenesis of colitis-associated colon cancer (CAC), we studied tumorigenesis in experimental models of CAC and sporadic CRC that mimic characteristics of human CRC. Using comparative whole genome expression profiling, we observed differential expression of epiregulin (Ereg) in mouse models of colitis-associated, but not sporadic colorectal cancer. Similarly, highly significant upregulation of Ereg expression was found in cohorts of patients with colitis-associated cancer in inflammatory bowel disease but not in sporadic colorectal cancer. Furthermore, tumor-associated fibroblasts were identified as major source of Ereg in colitis-associated neoplasias. Functional studies showed that Ereg-deficient mice, although more prone to colitis, are strongly protected from colitis-associated tumors, and data from serial endoscopic studies revealed that Ereg promotes growth rather than initiation of tumors. 4 samples of individual distal colitis-associated tumors (CAC) from 4 mice, 2 samples of tumor-free distal colon epithelium with a pool of 5 mice per sample (CAC contr), 5 samples of individual Apcmin/+ tumors from the distal colorectum of 5 mice (sporCRC) and 3 samples of tumor-free distal colon epithelium (pool of 4 mice per sample) (sporCRC contr). Colitis-associated tumorigenesis was performed by intraperitoneal injection of Azoxymethane (10mg/kg) (Sigma) into C57BL/6J wildtype mice followed by 3 cycles of Dextran Sodium Sulfate (DSS) in drinking water. Each DSS-cycle was composed of DSS (2.5% (w/v) (MP Biomedicals) in drinking water for 7 days, followed by a recovery phase with regular drinking water for 14 days. Sporadic tumors were from C57BL/6J-ApcMin/+/J mice. All tumors were obtained from the from the lower 6th of the large intestine and they had the same size covering between ¼ and up to ½ of the colonic circumferenc as evaluated by mini-endoscopy.
Project description:This study aims to investigate alterations in colonic microRNA expression in mouse models of chronic colitis and colitis-associated colorectal cancer. Using the Affymetrix GeneChip miRNA 4.0 Array, miRNA profiles were analyzed from control mice, DSS-induced colitis mice, and AOM/DSS-induced colorectal tumor mice.
Project description:Inflammatory caspases are essential effectors of inflammation and cell death. Here, we investigated their roles in colitis and colorectal cancer and report a bimodal regulation of intestinal homeostasis, inflammation and tumorigenesis by caspases-1 and -12. Casp1-/- mice exhibited defects in mucosal tissue repair and succumbed rapidly after dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) administration. This phenotype was rescued by administration of exogenous interleukin-18 and was partially reproduced in mice deficient in the inflammasome adaptor ASC. Casp12-/- mice, in which the inflammasome is derepressed, were resistant to acute colitis and showed signs of enhanced repair. Together with their increased inflammatory response, the enhanced repair response of Casp12-/- mice rendered them more susceptible to colorectal cancer induced by azoxymethane (AOM)+DSS. Taken together, our results indicate that the inflammatory caspases are critical in the induction of inflammation in the gut following injury, which is necessary for tissue repair and maintenance of immune tolerance. Total RNA obtained from isolated tumors or normal colon tissue from wild type and caspase-12 deficient mice were compared.
Project description:Inflammatory caspases are essential effectors of inflammation and cell death. Here, we investigated their roles in colitis and colorectal cancer and report a bimodal regulation of intestinal homeostasis, inflammation and tumorigenesis by caspases-1 and -12. Casp1-/- mice exhibited defects in mucosal tissue repair and succumbed rapidly after dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) administration. This phenotype was rescued by administration of exogenous interleukin-18 and was partially reproduced in mice deficient in the inflammasome adaptor ASC. Casp12-/- mice, in which the inflammasome is derepressed, were resistant to acute colitis and showed signs of enhanced repair. Together with their increased inflammatory response, the enhanced repair response of Casp12-/- mice rendered them more susceptible to colorectal cancer induced by azoxymethane (AOM)+DSS. Taken together, our results indicate that the inflammatory caspases are critical in the induction of inflammation in the gut following injury, which is necessary for tissue repair and maintenance of immune tolerance.
Project description:Patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) are at increased risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). Colitis-associated dysplasia (flat or polypoid) continues to be a reliable marker for CRC in these patients. However, flat lesions are often missed during endoscopy and can rapidly progress to high-grade dysplasia or cancer. microRNAs (miRs), small non-coding RNAs, have emerged as a valuable diagnostic biomarker of human cancer due to their ease of detection and stability. The goal of this study was to identify a miR signature that can serve as a reliable biomarker for the early detection of colitis-associated dysplasia in patients with long-standing colitis.