A20 Restricts NOS2 Expression and Intestinal Tumorigenesis in a Mouse Model of Colitis-Associated Cancer

Colon cancer can occur sporadically or in the setting of chronic inflammation, such as in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. We previously showed that A20, a critical negative regulator of tumor necrosis factor signal transduction, could regulate sporadic colon cancer development. In this report, we investigate whether A20 also acts as a tumor suppressor in a model of colitis-associated cancer.

Colitis and colitis-associated tumors were induced in wild-type and A20 intestinal epithelial cell-specific knockout (A20dIEC) mice using dextran sodium sulfate and azoxymethane. Clinicopathologic markers of inflammation were assessed in conjunction with colonic tumor burden. Gene expression analyses and immunohistochemistry were performed on colonic tissue and intestinal enteroids. Nitric oxide (NO) production and activity were assessed in whole colonic lysates and mouse embryonic fibroblasts.

A20dIEC mice develop larger tumors after treatment with dextran sodium sulfate and azoxymethane than wild-type mice. In addition to elevated markers of inflammation, A20dIEC mice have significantly enhanced expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), a well-known driver of neoplasia. Enhanced iNOS expression is associated with the formation of reactive nitrogen species and DNA damage. Loss of A20 also enhances NO-dependent cell death directly.

Mechanistically, we propose that A20 normally restricts tumor necrosis factor-induced nuclear factor kappa B-dependent production of iNOS in intestinal epithelial cells, thereby protecting against colitis-associated tumorigenesis. We also propose that A20 plays a direct role in regulating NO-dependent cell death.