Relationship between the recruitment of hematopoietic cell-derived cancer-associated fibroblasts by MCP-1 or tenascin C and the development of colon cancer

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25460951
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Gastroenterology
• Research Institution: Mie University
• Principal Investigator: MASUYA MASAHIRO 三重大学, 医学(系)研究科(研究院), 准教授 (30281083)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: monocyte / MCP-1 / fibrocyte / colon cancer

Outline of Final Research Achievements

It is well known that several kinds of hematopoietic cells infiltrate the colon and form tumor microenvironment in inflammatory colitis. The cells, which have received the most attention as a key player in the microenvironment, are cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). Because we have previously identified that monocytes enter the injured organs through MCP-1/CCR2 axis and differentiate into fibroblasts or myofibroblasts, we hypothesize that CAFs also are derived from monocytes. In C57BL/6J-Ly5.1 mice transplanted with EGFP+ bone marrow cells, EGFP+ fibrocytes and fibroblasts along with the inflammatory cells increased in the injured colon in association with progression of inflammation after AOM/DSS treatment. The increment of those cells was related to the formation of colon tumors. Angiotensin II receptor blocker, which exhibits antagonistic effects against CCR2, inhibited the progression of both colon fibrosis and tumor formation.

Free Research Field

血液学