Cholecystectomy promotes colon carcinogenesis by activating the Wnt signaling pathway by increasing the deoxycholic acid level

Abstract

Purpose Cholecystectomy (XGB) is widely recognized as a risk factor for colon cancer (CC). Continuous exposure of the colonic epithelium to deoxycholic acid (DCA) post-XGB may exert cytotoxic effects and be involved in the progression of CC. However, the functions of the XGB-induced DCA increase and the underlying mechanism remain unclear. Methods Colitis-associated CC (CAC) mouse models constructed by AOM-DSS inducement were used to confirm the effect of XGB on the CC progression. Hematoxylin & eosin staining was performed to assess the tumor morphology of CAC mouse models tissues. Various cell biological assays including EdU, live-cell imaging, wound-healing assays, and flow cytometry for cell cycle and apoptosis were used to evaluate the effect of DCA on CC progression. The correlation among XGB, DCA, and CC and their underlying mechanisms were detected with immunohistochemistry, mass spectrometry, transcriptome sequencing, qRT-PCR, and western blotting. Results Here we proved that XGB increased the plasma DCA level and promoted colon carcinogenesis in a colitis-associated CC mouse model. Additionally, we revealed that DCA promoted the proliferation and migration of CC cells. Further RNA sequencing showed that 120 mRNAs were upregulated, and 118 downregulated in DCA-treated CC cells versus control cells. The upregulated mRNAs were positively correlated with Wnt signaling and cell cycle-associated pathways. Moreover, DCA treatment could reduced the expression of the farnesoid X receptor (FXR) and subsequently increased the levels of β-Catenin and c-Myc in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, the FXR agonist GW4064 decreased the proliferation of CC cells by repressing the expression of β-catenin. Conclusion We concluded that XGB-induced DCA exposure could promote the progression of CC by inhibiting FXR expression and enhancing the Wnt-β-catenin pathway.

Intestinal Stem Cells Damaged by Deoxycholic Acid via AHR Pathway Contributes to Mucosal Barrier Dysfunction in High-Fat Feeding Mice

“…Bile acid can signal through its receptors, farnesoid X receptor (FXR) or Takeda G-protein-coupled receptor 5 (TGR5), to maintain the homeostasis of the intestinal epithelium [ 10 , 34 ]. However, excessive bile acids, especially cytotoxic DCA, have been proven to destroy intestinal barrier function [ 7 , 8 , 9 ] and promote colorectal cancer progression by inducing oxidative stress, inhibiting FXR signalling, or activating Wnt and EGFR signalling [ 29 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 ]. Several studies have demonstrated that DCA induces the downregulation of intestinal tight junction proteins, such as ZO-1 and occludin, and reduces the number of GCs [ 7 , 8 , 9 , 26 , 27 ].…”

Effect of gut flora mediated-bile acid metabolism on intestinal immune microenvironment

“…DCA reduces the expression of FXR, activates the Wnt signaling pathway, increases the levels of β-catenin and c-Myc, and promotes the proliferation and migration of colon cancer cells. The FXR agonist GW4064 reduces the proliferation of colon cancer cells by inhibiting the Wnt signaling pathway 106 . These studies suggest a relationship between DCA, FXR, and the Wnt signaling pathway.…”

Cholecystectomy promotes the development of colorectal cancer by the alternation of bile acid metabolism and the gut microbiota

“…Numerous experimental studies have confirmed the tumorigenic potential of bile acids, particularly the secondary bile acids DCA and lesser extent of the LCA (50)(51)(52)(53)(54)(55). It is important to note that the bile acids are usually considered as tumor promoters rather than tumor inducers, because the changed bile acid concentrations depend on exposure to carcinogenic chemicals or genetic susceptibility (56).…”