The CBS-H2S axis promotes liver metastasis of colon cancer by upregulating VEGF through AP-1 activation

• Published in: British journal of cancer Vol. 126; no. 7; pp. 1055 - 1066
• Main Authors: Guo Shihao, Li, Jichang, Huang, Zhihao, Taohua, Yue, Zhu, Jing, Wang, Xin, Liu Yucun, Wang, Pengyuan, Chen, Shanwen
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group 01.04.2022
• Subjects: 5-Fluorouracil; Activator protein 1; Angiogenesis; CBS gene; Chemotherapy; Colon cancer; Colorectal cancer; CRISPR; DNA microarrays; Drug development; Drug resistance; Feedback; Gene expression; Hydrogen sulfide; Immunofluorescence; Liver; Liver cancer; Metastases; Metastasis; Proteomes; Therapeutic targets; Transcription factors; Tumor cell lines; Tumors; Vascular endothelial growth factor
• ISSN: 0007-0920; 1532-1827
• DOI: 10.1038/s41416-021-01681-7

BackgroundThe main therapy for colon cancer with liver metastasis is chemotherapy based on 5-fluorouracil combined with targeted drugs. However, acquired drug resistance and severe adverse reactions limit patients’ benefit from standard chemotherapy. Here, we investigate the involvement of endogenous hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in liver metastasis of colon cancer and its potential value as a novel therapeutic target.MethodsWe used the CRISPR/Cas9 system to knockdown CBS gene expression in colon cancer cell lines. PCR arrays and proteome arrays were applied to detect the transcription and protein expression levels, respectively, of angiogenesis-related genes after knockdown. The molecular mechanism was investigated by western blot analysis, RT–qPCR, immunofluorescence staining, ChIP assays and dual-luciferase reporter assays. A liver metastasis mouse model was adopted to investigate the effect of targeting CBS on tumour metastasis in vivo.ResultsKnockdown of CBS decreased the metastasis and invasion of colon cancer cells and inhibited angiogenesis both in vivo and in vitro. Tissue microarray analysis showed a positive correlation between CBS and VEGF expression in colon cancer tissues. Further analysis at the molecular level validated a positive feedback loop between the CBS-H2S axis and VEGF.ConclusionsEndogenous H2S promotes angiogenesis and metastasis in colon cancer, and targeting the positive feedback loop between the CBS-H2S axis and VEGF can effectively intervene in liver metastasis of colon cancer.