Published in

Wiley Open Access, Advanced Science, 30(10), 2023

DOI: 10.1002/advs.202302717

Links

Tools

Export citation

Search in Google Scholar

TCAF2 in Pericytes Promotes Colorectal Cancer Liver Metastasis via Inhibiting Cold‐Sensing TRPM8 Channel

This paper is made freely available by the publisher.
This paper is made freely available by the publisher.

Full text: Download

Green circle
Preprint: archiving allowed
Green circle
Postprint: archiving allowed
Green circle
Published version: archiving allowed
Data provided by SHERPA/RoMEO

Abstract

AbstractHematogenous metastasis is the main approach for colorectal cancer liver metastasis (CRCLM). However, as the gatekeepers in the tumor vessels, the role of TPCs in hematogenous metastasis remains largely unknown, which may be attributed to the lack of specific biomarkers for TPC isolation. Here, microdissection combined with a pericyte medium‐based approach is developed to obtain TPCs from CRC patients. Proteomic analysis reveals that TRP channel‐associated factor 2 (TCAF2), a partner protein of the transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily M member 8 (TRPM8), is overexpressed in TPCs from patients with CRCLM. TCAF2 in TPCs is correlated with liver metastasis, short overall survival, and disease‐free survival in CRC patients. Gain‐ and loss‐of‐function experiments validate that TCAF2 in TPCs promotes tumor cell motility, epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT), and CRCLM, which is attenuated in pericyte‐conditional Tcaf2‐knockout mice. Mechanistically, TCAF2 inhibits the expression and activity of TRPM8, leading to Wnt5a secretion in TPCs, which facilitates EMT via the activation of the STAT3 signaling pathway in tumor cells. Menthol, a TRPM8 agonist, significantly suppresses Wnt5a secretion in TPCs and CRCLM. This study reveals the previously unidentified pro‐metastatic effects of TPCs from the perspective of cold‐sensory receptors, providing a promising diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target for CRCLM.