Palmitic Acid Accumulation Activates Fibroblasts and Promotes Matrix Stiffness in Colorectal Cancer.

ABSTRACT: Obstructions can occur during any stage of colorectal cancer and correspond with poor prognosis. Obstructive colorectal cancer (OCRC) is harder and exhibits increased tumor budding and proliferation of myofibroblasts compared with nonobstructive colorectal cancer, suggesting that the occurrence of obstruction may be related to extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling. In this study, we found that colorectal cancer and OCRC samples differed substantially in ECM composition, specifically in collagen (newly formed and mature) and proteoglycans (including glycosaminoglycan, hyaluronic acid, and chondroitin sulfate). OCRC also exhibited considerable changes in ECM biomechanics and collagen arrangement. Interestingly, OCRC samples presented a notable increase in matrix cancer-associated fibroblasts

SUBMITTER: Deng S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12079102 | biostudies-literature | 2025 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature