Role of EphB2/ephrin‑B1 signalling in the development and progression of obesity‑associated colorectal cancer

• Published in: Oncology letters 2022-09, Vol.24 (3), p.1, Article 316
• Main Authors: Suzuki, Yoshiyuki, Okabayashi, Koji, Hasegawa, Hirotoshi, Tsuruta, Masashi, Seishima, Ryo, Tokuda, Toshiki, Kitagawa, Yuko
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analysis; Apoptosis; Body mass index; Colorectal cancer; Committees; Cytokines; Development and progression; Diabetes; Ethics; Ligands; Obesity; Oncology; Tumors; Type 2 diabetes
• ISSN: 1792-1074; 1792-1082
• DOI: 10.3892/ol.2022.13436

Obesity is a major problem worldwide and has been associated with colorectal cancer development, among other diseases. Ephrin receptors and ligands play an important role in the turnover of the intestinal mucosa and intestinal crypt compartmentalization. It has been hypothesised that obesity-induced inflammation affects ephrin signals, leading to carcinogenesis. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to assess the relationship between Eph-ephrin B signalling, obesity and obesity-associated colorectal cancer. An azoxymethane-induced obesity-associated cancer KKAy mouse model developed in our prior study was used. A total of 46 patients with consecutive colorectal cancer and 48 tumours were analysed. Immunohistological analyses were performed in mouse and human samples, and immunoreactive scores (IRS) were determined. KKAy mice were significantly more prone to cancer development compared with control C57/BL mice (2/15 in C57/BL vs. 10/10 in KKAy; P