BACKGROUND Activation of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT),a pivotal process in tumor metastasis and evasion,as well as the NLRP3 inflammasome,both promote colorectal cancer(CRC)progression.Recent studies hav...BACKGROUND Activation of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT),a pivotal process in tumor metastasis and evasion,as well as the NLRP3 inflammasome,both promote colorectal cancer(CRC)progression.Recent studies have shown that Transmembrane protein 176B(TMEM176B)regulates NLRP3 and promotes CRC malignant phenotypes.AIM To investigate the role of TMEM176B in modulating NLRP3 inflammasome and its implications on EMT and tumor progression in CRC.METHODS CRC in situ mouse and co-cultured cell models were established using CT26 cells,BALB/c mice,and primary cultured mouse natural killer(NK)cells.Short hairpin RNA knocked down TMEM176B and NLRP3 expression in CT26 cells.Fluorescence imaging,Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling assays,immunohistochemistry staining,flow cytometry,and molecular assays were used to investigate the effects of TMEM176B knockdown on the NLRP3 inflammasome in NK cells to assess tumor metastasis,apoptosis,and EMT indicators.RESULTS Silencing TMEM176B in CRC mice significantly reduced tumor metastasis,proliferation,and EMT,while activating apoptosis,NLRP3 inflammasome,and NK cell activity.Furthermore,silencing TMEM176B in co-cultured cell models inhibited cell migration and invasion,and promoted apoptosis.The interference of NLRP3 reversed these effects by modulating key proteins such as phosphorylated nuclear factor kappa B subunit 1 p65,matrix metallopeptidase 9,and transforming growth factor-β.CONCLUSION This study highlights the critical role of TMEM176B/NLRP3 in CRC progression and provides a basis for targeting this axis as a novel therapeutic approach to manage CRC progression and metastasis.展开更多
基金Ministry of Education Industry-University Co-operation Collaborative Education Project,No.202102242020.
文摘BACKGROUND Activation of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT),a pivotal process in tumor metastasis and evasion,as well as the NLRP3 inflammasome,both promote colorectal cancer(CRC)progression.Recent studies have shown that Transmembrane protein 176B(TMEM176B)regulates NLRP3 and promotes CRC malignant phenotypes.AIM To investigate the role of TMEM176B in modulating NLRP3 inflammasome and its implications on EMT and tumor progression in CRC.METHODS CRC in situ mouse and co-cultured cell models were established using CT26 cells,BALB/c mice,and primary cultured mouse natural killer(NK)cells.Short hairpin RNA knocked down TMEM176B and NLRP3 expression in CT26 cells.Fluorescence imaging,Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling assays,immunohistochemistry staining,flow cytometry,and molecular assays were used to investigate the effects of TMEM176B knockdown on the NLRP3 inflammasome in NK cells to assess tumor metastasis,apoptosis,and EMT indicators.RESULTS Silencing TMEM176B in CRC mice significantly reduced tumor metastasis,proliferation,and EMT,while activating apoptosis,NLRP3 inflammasome,and NK cell activity.Furthermore,silencing TMEM176B in co-cultured cell models inhibited cell migration and invasion,and promoted apoptosis.The interference of NLRP3 reversed these effects by modulating key proteins such as phosphorylated nuclear factor kappa B subunit 1 p65,matrix metallopeptidase 9,and transforming growth factor-β.CONCLUSION This study highlights the critical role of TMEM176B/NLRP3 in CRC progression and provides a basis for targeting this axis as a novel therapeutic approach to manage CRC progression and metastasis.
