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Updated: Feb 5, 2026

In Vivo Inhibition of MicroRNA to Decrease Tumor Growth in Mice
Published on: August 23, 2019
β7 integrins contribute to intestinal tumor growth in mice
Srustidhar Das1, Cristian Doñas1, Paulina Akeus2
1Department of Medicine, Solna, Science for Life Laboratory, Karolinska Institute and University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
Abstract:
The gut homing receptor integrin α4β7 is essential for the migration of pro-inflammatory T cells into the gut mucosa. Since intestinal neoplasia has been associated with chronic inflammation, we investigated whether interfering with gut-homing affects intestinal tumorigenesis. Using chemically induced and spontaneous intestinal tumor models we showed that lack of β7 integrin significantly impairs tumor growth without affecting tumor frequencies, with a mild translatable effect on overall survival. This correlates with human data showing lower MAdCAM-1 expression and disease-free survival in colorectal cancer patients. Thus, paradoxically in contrast to extra-intestinal tumors, blocking migration of immune cells into the gut might have a positive therapeutic effect on intestinal neoplasia.
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