TREM-1 promotes intestinal tumorigenesis

Sci Rep. 2017 Nov 1;7(1):14870. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-14516-4.

Abstract

Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 (TREM-1) is a potent amplifier of pro-inflammatory innate immune responses. Increasing evidence suggests a role for TREM-1 not only in acute pathogen-induced reactions but also in chronic and non-infectious inflammatory disorders, including various types of cancer. Here, we demonstrate that genetic deficiency in Trem1 protects from colorectal cancer. In particular, Trem1 -/- mice exhibited reduced tumor numbers and load in an experimental model of inflammation-driven tumorigenesis. Gene expression analysis of Trem1 -/- versus Trem1 +/+ tumor tissue demonstrated distinct immune signatures. Whereas Trem1 -/- tumors showed an increased abundance of transcripts linked to adaptive immunity, Trem1 +/+ tumors were characterized by overexpression of innate pro-inflammatory genes associated with tumorigenesis. Compared to adjacent tumor-free colonic mucosa, expression of Trem1 was increased in murine and human colorectal tumors. Unexpectedly, TREM-1 was not detected on tumor-associated Ly6C- MHC class II+ macrophages. In contrast, TREM-1 was highly expressed by tumor-infiltrating neutrophils which represented the predominant myeloid population in Trem1 +/+ but not in Trem1 -/- tumors. Collectively, our findings demonstrate a clear role of TREM-1 for intestinal tumorigenesis and indicate TREM-1-expressing neutrophils as critical players in colorectal tumor development.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Carcinogenesis / drug effects*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / etiology
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Innate
  • Inflammation
  • Intestinal Neoplasms / etiology
  • Intestinal Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Intestinal Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Mice
  • Neutrophils / metabolism
  • Triggering Receptor Expressed on Myeloid Cells-1 / deficiency
  • Triggering Receptor Expressed on Myeloid Cells-1 / genetics
  • Triggering Receptor Expressed on Myeloid Cells-1 / physiology*

Substances

  • Triggering Receptor Expressed on Myeloid Cells-1