The Origin and Contribution of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts in Colorectal Carcinogenesis

Hiroki Kobayashi, Krystyna A. Gieniec, Tamsin R.M. Lannagan, Tongtong Wang, Naoya Asai, Yasuyuki Mizutani, Tadashi Iida, Ryota Ando, Elaine M. Thomas, Akihiro Sakai, Nobumi Suzuki, Mari Ichinose, Josephine A. Wright, Laura Vrbanac, Jia Q. Ng, Jarrad Goyne, Georgette Radford, Matthew J. Lawrence, Tarik Sammour, Yoku HayakawaSonja Klebe, Alice E. Shin, Samuel Asfaha, Mark L. Bettington, Florian Rieder, Nicholas Arpaia, Tal Danino, Lisa M. Butler, Alastair D. Burt, Simon J. Leedham, Anil K. Rustgi, Siddhartha Mukherjee, Masahide Takahashi, Timothy C. Wang, Atsushi Enomoto, Susan L. Woods, Daniel L. Worthley

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

90 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background & Aims: Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play an important role in colorectal cancer (CRC) progression and predict poor prognosis in CRC patients. However, the cellular origins of CAFs remain unknown, making it challenging to therapeutically target these cells. Here, we aimed to identify the origins and contribution of colorectal CAFs associated with poor prognosis. Methods: To elucidate CAF origins, we used a colitis-associated CRC mouse model in 5 different fate-mapping mouse lines with 5-bromodeoxyuridine dosing. RNA sequencing of fluorescence-activated cell sorting–purified CRC CAFs was performed to identify a potential therapeutic target in CAFs. To examine the prognostic significance of the stromal target, CRC patient RNA sequencing data and tissue microarray were used. CRC organoids were injected into the colons of knockout mice to assess the mechanism by which the stromal gene contributes to colorectal tumorigenesis. Results: Our lineage-tracing studies revealed that in CRC, many ACTA2+ CAFs emerge through proliferation from intestinal pericryptal leptin receptor (Lepr)+ cells. These Lepr-lineage CAFs, in turn, express melanoma cell adhesion molecule (MCAM), a CRC stroma-specific marker that we identified with the use of RNA sequencing. High MCAM expression induced by transforming growth factor β was inversely associated with patient survival in human CRC. In mice, stromal Mcam knockout attenuated orthotopically injected colorectal tumoroid growth and improved survival through decreased tumor-associated macrophage recruitment. Mechanistically, fibroblast MCAM interacted with interleukin-1 receptor 1 to augment nuclear factor κB–IL34/CCL8 signaling that promotes macrophage chemotaxis. Conclusions: In colorectal carcinogenesis, pericryptal Lepr-lineage cells proliferate to generate MCAM+ CAFs that shape the tumor-promoting immune microenvironment. Preventing the expansion/differentiation of Lepr-lineage CAFs or inhibiting MCAM activity could be effective therapeutic approaches for CRC.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)890-906
Number of pages17
JournalGastroenterology
Volume162
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2022

Keywords

  • Alpha-Smooth Muscle Actin (αSMA)
  • CD146
  • Colorectal Cancer
  • Tumor Microenvironment

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The Origin and Contribution of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts in Colorectal Carcinogenesis'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this