Cynaropicrin Shows Antitumor Progression Potential in Colorectal Cancer through Mediation of the LIFR/STATs Axis

Abstract

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second deadliest malignant disease in the world, with a large number of new cases being reported every year. The leukemia inhibitory factor receptor/signal transducers and activators of transcriptions (LIFR/STATs) signaling axis plays an important role in the molecular biology of CRC. The inactivation of STATs is a promising anticancer strategy. Cynaropicrin is a sesquiterpene lactone with a variety of pharmacological functions, which may be used as a potential targeted cancer drug for the prevention or treatment of human CRC. Methods: Cell function tests were performed to observe the inhibitory effect of Cynaropicrin on human CRC cells (RKO, HCT116 and DLD1). Expression levels of LIFR, P-STAT3, P-STAT4 and apoptotic proteins were detected by Western blotting. Immunoprecipitation confirmed the presence of LIFR/STAT3/STAT4 complex. Cell immunofluorescence assay was used to observe the subcellular localization of STAT3 and STAT4. In vivo efficacy of Cynaropicrin was evaluated by a xenotransplantation model in nude mice.Results: Cynaropicrin significantly reduced the survival ability of human CRC cells and promoted apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. Western blotting results suggested that the antitumor effects of cynaropicrin might be mediated by inhibition of the LIFR/STATs axis. Cynaropicrin reduced the formation of STAT3/STAT4 heterodimers and blocked their entry into the nucleus. Cynaropicrin also suppressed tumor growth in the HCT116 xenograft model.Conclusion: The above experimental results showed that cynaropicrin exerted a strong inhibitory effect on CRC in vitro and in vivo. Our study concluded that cynaropicrin has potential application prospects in the field of anti-CRC therapy.

Cynaropicrin Shows Antitumor Progression Potential in Colorectal Cancer Through Mediation of the LIFR/STATs Axis

“…This manuscript has been released as a pre-print at Research Square ( https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-70830/v1 ), ( Zheng et al, 2020 ).…”