The transcriptomic landscape of mismatch repair-deficient intestinal stem cells

Prashant V. Bommi, Charles M. Bowen, Laura Reyes-Uribe, Wenhui Wu, Hiroyuki Katayama, Pedro Rocha, Edwin R. Parra, Alejandro Francisco-Cruz, Zuhal Ozcan, Elena Tosti, Jason A. Willis, Hong Wu, Melissa W. Taggart, Jared K. Burks, Patrick M. Lynch, Winfried Edelmann, Paul A. Scheet, Ignacio I. Wistuba, Krishna M. Sinha, Samir M. HanashEduardo Vilar

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

Lynch syndrome is the most common cause of hereditary colorectal cancer and is secondary to germline alterations in one of four DNA mismatch repair (MMR) genes. Here we aimed to provide novel insights into the initiation of MMR-deficient (MMRd) colorectal carcinogenesis by characterizing the expression profile of MMRd intestinal stem cells (ISC). A tissue-specific MMRd mouse model (Villin-Cre;Msh2LoxP/LoxP) was crossed with a reporter mouse (Lgr5-EGFP-IRES-creERT2) to trace and isolate ISCs (Lgr5þ) using flow cytometry. Three different ISC genotypes (Msh2-KO, Msh2-HET, and Msh2-WT) were isolated and processed for mRNA-seq and mass spectrometry, followed by bioinformatic analyses to identify expression signatures of complete MMRd and haplo-insufficiency. These findings were validated using qRT-PCR, IHC, and whole transcriptomic sequencing in mouse tissues, organoids, and a cohort of human samples, including normal colorectal mucosa, premalignant lesions, and early-stage colorectal cancers from patients with Lynch syndrome and patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) as controls. Msh2-KO ISCs clustered together with differentiated intestinal epithelial cells from all genotypes. Gene-set enrichment analysis indicated inhibition of replication, cell-cycle progression, and the Wnt pathway and activation of epithelial signaling and immune reaction. An expression signature derived from MMRd ISCs successfully distinguished MMRd neoplastic lesions of patients with Lynch syndrome from FAP controls. SPP1 was specifically upregulated in MMRd ISCs and colocalized with LGR5 in Lynch syndrome colorectal premalignant lesions and tumors. These results show that expression signatures of MMRd ISC recapitulate the initial steps of Lynch syndrome carcinogenesis and have the potential to unveil novel biomarkers of early cancer initiation. Significance: The transcriptomic and proteomic profile of MMR-deficient intestinal stem cells displays a unique set of genes with potential roles as biomarkers of cancer initiation and early progression.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2760-2773
Number of pages14
JournalCancer Research
Volume81
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2021

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology
  • Cancer Research

MD Anderson CCSG core facilities

  • Advanced Technology Genomics Core
  • Flow Cytometry and Cellular Imaging Facility
  • Research Animal Support Facility
  • Tissue Biospecimen and Pathology Resource
  • Genetically Engineered Mouse Facility

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