Fusobacterium nucleatum interacts with cancer-associated fibroblasts to promote colorectal cancer.

ABSTRACT: Gut microbial species contribute to colorectal cancer (CRC) by interacting with tumor or immune cells, however if CRC-associated bacteria engage with stromal components of the tumor microenvironment remains unclear. Here, we report interaction between the CRC-associated bacterium Fusobacterium nucleatum and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), and show that F. nucleatum is present in the stromal compartment in murine CRC models in vivo and can attach to and invade CAFs. F. nucleatum-exposed CAFs exhibit a pronounced inflammatory-CAF (iCAF) phenotype, marked by elevated expression of established iCAF markers, secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as CXCL1, IL-6 and IL-8, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and an increased metabolic activity. In co-culture experiments, the

SUBMITTER: Karta J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12488894 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature