Tumor-derived GM-CSF promotes inflammatory colon carcinogenesis via stimulating epithelial release of VEGF

Chronic inflammation is a major driving force for the development of colitis-associated cancer (CAC). Elevated production of granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) has been observed in mucosa of patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Its actions in the progression from colitis to cancer, however, remain poorly understood. Herein, we demonstrated that colonic epithelial cells (CEC) were a major cellular source of GM-CSF and its production was significantly augmented when CAC model was established by administration of azoxymethane and dextran sulfate sodium. Furthermore, we showed that GM-CSF was a driver for VEGF release by CEC in autocrine and/or paracrine manners through the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)-dependent pathway. Blocking GM-CSF activity in vivo significantly decreased epithelial release of VEGF, thereby abrogating CAC formation. In vitro treatment of transformed CEC with recombinant GM-CSF dramatically augmented its invasive potentials, largely in VEGF-dependent fashion. Furthermore, commensal microbiota-derived lipopolysaccharides were identified as a trigger for GM-CSF expression in CEC, as antibiotics treatment or Toll-like receptor 4 ablation considerably impaired its epithelial expression. Overall, these findings may have important implications for the understanding of mechanisms underlying CAC pathogenesis and the therapeutic potentials of regimens targeting GM-CSF or VEGF in clinic.