Oncogenic potential of truncated RXRα during colitis-associated colorectal tumorigenesis by promoting IL-6-STAT3 signaling

Nat Commun. 2019 Apr 1;10(1):1463. doi: 10.1038/s41467-019-09375-8.

Abstract

Retinoid X receptor-alpha (RXRα) is a potent regulator of inflammatory responses; however, its therapeutic potential for inflammatory cancer remains to be explored. We previously discovered that RXRα is abnormally cleaved in tumor cells and tissues, producing a truncated RXRα (tRXRα). Here, we show that transgenic expression of tRXRα in mice accelerates the development of colitis-associated colon cancer (CAC). The tumorigenic effect of tRXRα is primarily dependent on its expression in myeloid cells, which results in interleukin-6 (IL-6) induction and STAT3 activation. Mechanistic studies reveal an extensive interaction between tRXRα and TRAF6 in the cytoplasm of macrophages, leading to TRAF6 ubiquitination and subsequent activation of the NF-κB inflammatory pathway. K-80003, a tRXRα modulator derived from nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) sulindac, suppresses the growth of tRXRα-mediated colorectal tumor by inhibiting the NF-κB-IL-6-STAT3 signaling cascade. These results provide new insight into tRXRα action and identify a promising tRXRα ligand for treating CAC.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Carcinogenesis / genetics*
  • Carcinogenesis / immunology
  • Colitis / genetics*
  • Colitis / immunology
  • Colitis, Ulcerative / immunology
  • Colon / drug effects
  • Colon / immunology
  • Colon / metabolism
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / immunology
  • Culture Media, Conditioned
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • HCT116 Cells
  • Humans
  • Inflammation
  • Interleukin-6 / immunology*
  • Macrophages / immunology
  • Mice
  • NF-kappa B / immunology
  • Retinoid X Receptor alpha / genetics*
  • Retinoid X Receptor alpha / immunology
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor / immunology*
  • Signal Transduction
  • Sulindac / analogs & derivatives
  • Sulindac / pharmacology
  • TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 6 / immunology

Substances

  • Culture Media, Conditioned
  • Interleukin-6
  • NF-kappa B
  • Retinoid X Receptor alpha
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor
  • Stat3 protein, mouse
  • TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 6
  • interleukin-6, mouse
  • Sulindac
  • K-80003