Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 20, 2026

Experimental Metastasis and CTL Adoptive Transfer Immunotherapy Mouse Model
08:06

Experimental Metastasis and CTL Adoptive Transfer Immunotherapy Mouse Model

Published on: November 26, 2010

Colon cancer cells produce immunoregulatory glucocorticoids

Daniel Sidler1, Pietro Renzulli, Christina Schnoz

  • 1Division of Experimental Pathology; Institute of Pathology; University of Bern; Bern, Switzerland.

Oncoimmunology
|July 4, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Colorectal tumors release immunosuppressive glucocorticoids, hindering immune responses. The nuclear receptor LRH-1 is key to this process, impacting tumor growth and immune suppression.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Immunology
  • Endocrinology

Background:

  • Tumor cells evade immune detection via immunosuppressive molecules.
  • Glucocorticoids are potent immunoregulatory molecules.
  • Colorectal cancer progression involves immune evasion strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of glucocorticoids in colorectal tumor-mediated immune suppression.
  • To identify key regulators of glucocorticoid synthesis in colorectal tumors.
  • To understand the impact of nuclear receptor LRH-1 on colorectal cancer.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of gene expression in colorectal tumor samples.
  • Measurement of glucocorticoid levels in tumor microenvironments.
  • Investigation of LRH-1 function using cellular and molecular techniques.

Main Results:

  • Colorectal tumors were found to produce immunosuppressive glucocorticoids.
  • Glucocorticoid production by tumors suppresses immune cell activation.
  • The nuclear receptor LRH-1 was identified as a critical regulator of both tumor proliferation and glucocorticoid synthesis.

Conclusions:

  • Colorectal tumors actively suppress the immune system through glucocorticoid production.
  • LRH-1 is a crucial mediator of immune suppression and proliferation in colorectal cancer.
  • Targeting LRH-1 may offer a novel therapeutic strategy for colorectal cancer.

Related Concept Videos

Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Glucocorticoids01:21

Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Glucocorticoids

Glucocorticoids, a class of anti-inflammatory drugs, are pivotal in treating moderate to severe Crohn's disease by inducing remission. They exhibit their anti-inflammatory action by inhibiting the production of inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1, and chemokines like IL-8. In addition, they reduce the expression of inflammatory cell adhesion molecules and inhibit gene transcription of nitric oxide synthase, phospholipase A2, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2),...
T Cell Types and Functions01:24

T Cell Types and Functions

When T cells with CD4 markers are activated, they give rise to two types of effector cells: helper T cells and regulatory T cells. Meanwhile, T cells with CD8 markers differentiate into effector cytotoxic T cells. The differentiation of CD4 T cells into helper T cell subsets, such as Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells, is dependent on the antigen type, antigen-presenting cell, and regulatory cytokines.
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
Regulation of Hematopoietic Stem Cells01:01

Regulation of Hematopoietic Stem Cells

All blood and immune cells are produced from the multipotent hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) by the process of hematopoiesis. However, they all have a limited life span. In addition, many are depleted in immune surveillance or combatting an injury or infection. This makes blood one of the most regenerative tissues. Hematopoiesis helps replenish these blood and immune cells, restoring the body's normal functioning. However, overproduction of blood and immune cells can make them cancerous or...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Crohn's Disease01:25

Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Crohn's Disease

Crohn’s disease is a chronic, relapsing form of inflammatory bowel disease characterized by segmental, transmural inflammation that can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract. Its pathogenesis arises from a combination of genetic susceptibility, environmental exposures, epithelial barrier dysfunction, and immune dysregulation. Together, these factors lead to an exaggerated immune response against components of the gut microbiome.Genetic and Environmental InfluencesMultiple genetic...
Cancer Stem Cells and Tumor Maintenance02:40

Cancer Stem Cells and Tumor Maintenance

Early diagnosis and treatment can often cure cancer. However, even with treatment, residual cells called cancer stem cells (CSC) might remain, often causing tumor recurrence. These cancer stem cells possess the potential for self-renewal and multi-lineage differentiation and are often responsible for the therapeutic resistance displayed in most cancers.
Cancer stem cells are thought to originate from tissue-specific normal stem cells or progenitor cells. The normal stem cells usually reside in...
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Immunomodulatory Agents01:29

Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Immunomodulatory Agents

Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disorder marked by chronic inflammation of the GI tract. Various treatment strategies for Crohn's disease are employed, such as immunomodulatory agents, glucocorticoids, and biologics or anti-TNF therapy. Azathioprine (Imuran), a commonly used immunomodulatory drug for Crohn's disease, is converted in the body to mercaptopurine, which inhibits purine biosynthesis and cell proliferation. Both are utilized in severe cases of Inflammatory Bowel Disease...