Neurturin promotes tumor cell motility and angiogenesis in colorectal cancer
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Updated: Oct 4, 2025

Transfer of Manipulated Tumor-associated Neutrophils into Tumor-Bearing Mice to Study their Angiogenic Potential In Vivo
Published on: July 20, 2019
Shuyun Wang1, Limin Nie2, Yuxiao Song3
1Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, PR China; Phase I Clinical Research Center, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, PR China.
Abstract:
Neurturin (NRTN) is one of the glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor family ligands crucial for neuron growth, differentiation and maintenance. Recent studies showed NRTN promotes an aggressive pancreatic cancer phenotype, and predicts shorter survival in lung cancer patients. However, its expression and function in colorectal cancer (CRC) remain unclear. Herein, we found NRTN was enriched in CRC cells, and predicted poor patients outcomes. Upregulated NRTN enhanced the migration and invasion of CRC cells and vascularization of endothelial cells. In mechanism, NRTN promoted ZEB1/N-cadherin and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A expression in CRC cells, which were responsible for tumor cell motility and angiogenesis, respectively. More importantly, NRTN inhibition prevented CRC metastasis and angiogenesis in vivo. In conclusion, NRTN promotes CRC cells motility and tumor angiogenesis via inducing ZEB1/N-cadherin and VEGF-A overexpression. It is a potential therapeutic target and negative prognostic biomarker for CRC patients.
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