BMI-1 activates hepatic stellate cells to promote the epithelial-mesenchymal transition of colorectal cancer cells
Zhongyang Jiang, Ximei Ma, Xiaohui Luan, Zhen‐Yu Liuyang, Yiyang Hong, Yuan Dai, Qinghua Dong, Guanyu Wang
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Activated hepatic stellate cells (aHSCs) are the major source of cancer-associated fibroblasts in the liver. Although the crosstalk between aHSCs and colorectal cancer (CRC) cells supports liver metastasis (LM), the mechanisms are largely unknown. AIM: To explore the role of BMI-1, a polycomb group protein family member, which is highly expressed in LM, and the interaction between aHSCs and CRC cells in promoting CRC liver metastasis (CRLM). METHODS: . RESULTS: . CONCLUSION: High expression of BMI-1 in liver cells is associated with CRLM progression. BMI-1 activates HSCs to secrete factors to form a prometastatic environment in the liver, and aHSCs promote proliferation, migration, and the EMT in CRC cells partially through the TGF-β/SMAD pathway.