CD31 and D2-40 Contribute to Peritoneal Metastasis of Colorectal Cancer by Promoting Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition.

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS:

Colorectal cancer (CRC) patients often exhibit peritoneal metastasis, which negatively impacts their prognosis. CD31 and D2-40 have recently been suggested to be predictors of breast cancer prognosis, but their role in colorectal peritoneal metastasis (CRPM) remains unknown.

METHODS:

The expression profiles of CD31 and D2-40 were analyzed in CRC patients with or without CRPM and in CRC cell lines with increasing metastatic potential. Overexpression and short hairpin RNA knockdown assays were performed in CRC cells, and the effects of these alterations on epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in vitro, growth of xenograft tumors in vivo, and peritoneal metastasis potential in a mouse model of CRPM were examined.

RESULTS:

The expressions of CD31 and D2-40 were upregulated in CRC tumor tissues and was elevated further in tumor tissues from patients with CRPM. CD31 and D2-40 expression levels exhibited increasing trends parallel to the EMT potential of CRC cells. CD31 and D2-40 are essential for CRC cell EMT in vitro as well as for xenograft tumor growth and peritoneal metastasis in vivo.

CONCLUSIONS:

CD31 and D2-40 contribute to CRPM by promoting EMT and may serve as prognostic markers and therapeutic targets for CRC, particularly in patients with peritoneal metastasis.

• Authors: Xinqiang Zhu, Gang Zhou, Peng Ni, Xuetong Jiang, Hailong Huang, Jianqiang Wu, Xiaohong Shi, Xiaoling Jiang, Jianing Liu
• Journal: Gut and liver (Gut Liver) Vol. 15 Issue 2 Pg. 273-283 (Mar 15 2021) ISSN: 2005-1212 [Electronic] Korea (South)
• PMID: 32390409 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Topics

• Animals
• Cell Line, Tumor
• Cell Movement
• Cell Proliferation
• Colorectal Neoplasms (genetics)
• Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition
• Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
• Humans
• Mice
• Neoplasm Metastasis
• Peritoneal Neoplasms (genetics)