JNK pathway plays a critical role for expansion of human colorectal cancer in the context of BRG1 suppression.

TitleJNK pathway plays a critical role for expansion of human colorectal cancer in the context of BRG1 suppression.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2022
AuthorsYoshikawa T, Fukuda A, Omatsu M, Namikawa M, Sono M, Fukunaga Y, Masuda T, Araki O, Nagao M, Ogawa S, Masuo K, Goto N, Hiramatsu Y, Muta Y, Tsuda M, Maruno T, Nakanishi Y, Kawada K, Takaishi S, Seno H
JournalCancer Sci
Volume113
Issue10
Pagination3417-3427
Date Published2022 Oct
ISSN1349-7006
KeywordsAnimals, Apoptosis, Cell Line, Tumor, Chromatin, Colorectal Neoplasms, DNA Helicases, Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic, Humans, JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases, MAP Kinase Signaling System, Mice, Neoplastic Stem Cells, Nuclear Proteins, Transcription Factors
Abstract

Tumor stem cells (TSCs), capable of self-renewal and continuous production of progeny cells, could be potential therapeutic targets. We have recently reported that chromatin remodeling regulator Brg1 is required for maintenance of murine intestinal TSCs and stemness feature of human colorectal cancer (CRC) cells by inhibiting apoptosis. However, it is still unclear how BRG1 suppression changes the underlying intracellular mechanisms of human CRC cells. We found that Brg1 suppression resulted in upregulation of the JNK signaling pathway in human CRC cells and murine intestinal TSCs. Simultaneous suppression of BRG1 and the JNK pathway, either by pharmacological inhibition or silencing of c-JUN, resulted in even stronger inhibition of the expansion of human CRC cells compared to Brg1 suppression alone. Consistently, high c-JUN expression correlated with worse prognosis for survival in human CRC patients with low BRG1 expression. Therefore, the JNK pathway plays a critical role for expansion and stemness of human CRC cells in the context of BRG1 suppression, and thus a combined blockade of BRG1 and the JNK pathway could be a novel therapeutic approach against human CRC.

DOI10.1111/cas.15520
Alternate JournalCancer Sci
PubMed ID35924439
PubMed Central IDPMC9530857
Grant List20gm6010022h0003 / / AMED-PRIME /
JP19H03639 / / Grants-in-Aid KAKENHI /
JP21H02902 / / Grants-in-Aid KAKENHI /
19cm0106142h0002 / / Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development, the Project for Cancer Research and Therapeutic Evolution /
20cm0106177h0001 / / Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development, the Project for Cancer Research and Therapeutic Evolution /
21cm0106283h0001 / / Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development, the Project for Cancer Research and Therapeutic Evolution /
201910037 / / Mitsubishi Foundation /
281119 / / Mitsubishi Foundation /
2017bvAg / / Mochida Foundation /
32924-1 / / Naito Foundation /
13-24514 / / Princess Takamatsu Cancer Research Fund /
17-24924 / / Princess Takamatsu Cancer Research Fund /
21-25332 / / Princess Takamatsu Cancer Research Fund /
/ / Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma /
201749741 / / Takeda Foundation /
201720143 / / Uehara Foundation /