Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 17, 2025
06:54
Studying TGF-β Signaling and TGF-β-induced Epithelial-to-mesenchymal Transition in Breast Cancer and Normal Cells
Published on: October 27, 2020
12.9K
Neuro-Mesenchymal Interaction Mediated by a β2-Adrenergic Nerve Growth Factor Feedforward Loop Promotes Colorectal
Hiroki Kobayashi1,2, Tadashi Iida3,4, Yosuke Ochiai1,2,5
1Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Irving Cancer Research Center Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York.
Cancer Discovery
|August 13, 2024
Summary
Sympathetic nerves and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) interact to promote colorectal cancer growth. Blocking this neuro-mesenchymal communication via TRK inhibitors may offer a new treatment strategy.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Neuroscience
- Cancer Biology
Background:
- Colorectal cancer (CRC) progression is influenced by the tumor microenvironment.
- The role of neuro-mesenchymal interactions in CRC remains incompletely understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the bidirectional communication between sympathetic nerves and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in colorectal tumorigenesis.
- To elucidate the mechanistic role of catecholamines in CRC.
- To explore TRK blockade as a potential therapeutic strategy.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of the interplay between sympathetic nerves and CAFs in a colorectal cancer model.
- Investigation of catecholamine signaling pathways.
- Assessment of TRK inhibition efficacy.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated a bidirectional signaling loop between sympathetic nerves and NGF-expressing CAFs that drives colorectal tumorigenesis.
- Provided novel mechanistic insights into catecholamine actions within the CRC context.
- Showcased the potential of TRK blockade in disrupting this neuro-mesenchymal axis.
Conclusions:
- The neuro-mesenchymal axis, involving sympathetic nerves and CAFs, is a key driver of colorectal cancer.
- Targeting this interaction through TRK blockade presents a promising therapeutic avenue for colorectal cancer treatment.
Related Concept Videos
02:17The Tumor Microenvironment
6.6K
Every normal cell or tissue is embedded in a complex local environment called stroma, consisting of different cell types, a basal membrane, and blood vessels. As normal cells mutate and develop into cancer cells, their local environment also changes to allow cancer progression. The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of a complex cellular matrix of stromal cells and the developing tumor. The cross-talk between cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells is critical to disrupt normal tissue...
6.6K
03:03mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression
3.8K
The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
The mTOR pathway or the...
3.8K
02:07Tumor Progression
6.3K
Tumor progression is a phenomenon where the pre-formed tumor acquires successive mutations to become clinically more aggressive and malignant. In the 1950s, Foulds first described the stepwise progression of cancer cells through successive stages.
Colon cancer is one of the best-documented examples of tumor progression. Early mutation in the APC gene in colon cells causes a small growth on the colon wall called a polyp. With time, this polyp grows into a benign, pre-cancerous tumor. Further...
Colon cancer is one of the best-documented examples of tumor progression. Early mutation in the APC gene in colon cells causes a small growth on the colon wall called a polyp. With time, this polyp grows into a benign, pre-cancerous tumor. Further...
6.3K
02:38Mitogens and the Cell Cycle
6.4K
Mitogens and their receptors play a crucial role in controlling the progression of the cell cycle. However, the loss of mitogenic control over cell division leads to tumor formation. Therefore, mitogens and mitogen receptors play an important role in cancer research. For instance, the epidermal growth factor (EGF) - a type of mitogen and its transmembrane receptor (EGFR), decides the fate of the cell's proliferation. When EGF binds to EGFR, a member of the ErbB family of tyrosine kinase...
6.4K
01:12Role Of Notch Signalling In Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal
2.1K
Notch signaling was first discovered in Drosophila melanogaster, where it is involved in cell lineage differentiation. Notch signaling regulates the maintenance and differentiation of intestinal stem cells or ISCs by controlling the expression of atonal homolog 1 or Atoh1. Atoh1 directs cells to differentiate into secretory cells.
Direct cell-to-cell contact is needed for the activation of Notch signaling. The signal is initiated when a notch ligand binds to a receptor on an adjacent cell, also...
Direct cell-to-cell contact is needed for the activation of Notch signaling. The signal is initiated when a notch ligand binds to a receptor on an adjacent cell, also...
2.1K
02:30Metastasis
5.5K
Metastasis is the spread of cancer cells from the original site to distant locations in the body. Cancer cells can spread via blood vessels (hematogenous) as well as lymph vessels in the body.
Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition
The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition or EMT is a developmental process commonly observed in wound healing, embryogenesis, and cancer metastasis. EMT is induced by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) or receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) ligands, which further...
Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition
The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition or EMT is a developmental process commonly observed in wound healing, embryogenesis, and cancer metastasis. EMT is induced by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) or receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) ligands, which further...
5.5K