Cited by 28Immune cells in cancerCancer Cells and MetastasisAdipokines, Inflammation, and Metabolic Diseases

The Role of Adipocytes Recruited as Part of Tumor Microenvironment in Promoting Colorectal Cancer Metastases

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Ma, Yunxia, Nenkov, Miljana, Chen, Yuan, Gaßler, Nikolaus·2024·International Journal of Molecular Sciences

Abstract

Adipose tissue dysfunction, which is associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer (CRC), is a significant factor in the pathophysiology of obesity. Obesity-related inflammation and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling promote colorectal cancer metastasis (CRCM) by shaping the tumor microenvironment (TME). When CRC occurs, the metabolic symbiosis of tumor cells recruits adjacent adipocytes into the TME to supply energy. Meanwhile, abundant immune cells, from adipose tissue and blood, are recruited into the TME, which is stimulated by pro-inflammatory factors and triggers a chronic local pro-inflammatory TME. Dysregulated ECM proteins and cell surface adhesion molecules enhance ECM remodeling and further increase contractibility between tumor and stromal cells, which promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). EMT increases tumor migration and invasion into surrounding tissues or vessels and accelerates CRCM. Colorectal symbiotic microbiota also plays an important role in the promotion of CRCM. In this review, we provide adipose tissue and its contributions to CRC, with a special emphasis on the role of adipocytes, macrophages, neutrophils, T cells, ECM, and symbiotic gut microbiota in the progression of CRC and their contributions to the CRC microenvironment. We highlight the interactions between adipocytes and tumor cells, and potential therapeutic approaches to target these interactions.

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Authors
Ma, Y., Nenkov, M., Chen, Y., & Gaßler, N.
Affiliations
Jena University Hospital (DE)
Corresponding author
Gaßler, Nikolaus
Venue
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
Publisher
MDPI AG
Published
2024-07-30
Volume
25
Issue
15
Pages
8352
ISSN
1422-0067 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W4401179263
Cited by
28
References
303
Citations by year
2026: 11 · 2025: 15 · 2024: 2
FWCI
1.24
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • International Journal of Molecular Sciences (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Common Library Network (Der Gemeinsame Bibliotheksverbund) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Funders
  • University Hospital Jena, Germany (512648189)
  • German Research Foundation Projekt (512648189)
  • Open Access Publication Fund of the Thueringer Universitaets- und Landesbibliothek Jena (512648189)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Immunology › Immune cells in cancer
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Cancer Cells and Metastasis
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Adipokines, Inflammation, and Metabolic Diseases
Keywords
colorectal cancer, metastasis, tumor microenvironment, adipocytes, adipose tissue dysfunction, obesity, extracellular matrix remodeling, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, tumor-stroma interactions, tumor-associated macrophages, neutrophils, T cells, gut microbiota, inflammation, tumor energy metabolism
MeSH terms
Gastrointestinal Microbiome, Adipose Tissue, Animals, Extracellular Matrix, Humans, Neoplasm Metastasis, Colorectal Neoplasms, Adipocytes, Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition, Tumor Microenvironment

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