Immunoglobulin E induces colon cancer cell apoptosis via enhancing cyp27b1 expression

The pathogenesis of colon cancer (Cca) is to be further investigated. Vitamin D deficiency is associated with cancer growth; the underlying mechanism is unclear. Published data indicate that Cca cells express CD23. This study tests a hypothesis that exposure to IgE induces Cca cell apoptosis. In this study, the effect of ligation of CD23 by IgE on the expression of cyp27b1 was performed with Cca cells. The induction of apoptosis of Cca cells by IgE was assessed in a cell culture model. We observed that Cca cells express CD23; ligation of CD23 with IgE on Cca cells increased the expression of cyp27b1 in Cca, which promoted the conversion of VD3 to calcitriol, the latter increased the expression of FasL by Cca cells, and induced apoptosis of Cca cells. In conclusion, IgE is capable of inducing the cancer cell apoptosis via ligating CD23 and converting VD3 to calcitriol. The results suggest that IgE may have therapeutic potential in the treatment of Cca.