Inhibin beta A drives colorectal cancer progression through macrophage M2 polarization and mitochondria-dependent ferroptosis suppression.

ABSTRACT: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a prevalent malignant tumor, and its pathogenesis has not yet been fully elucidated. The tumor microenvironment (TME) and ferroptosis in cancer cells are key drivers of tumor progression and metastasis. This research revealed that elevated INHBA expression in CRC tissues correlates with unfavorable clinical outcomes. In vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated that elevated INHBA enhances CRC cellular growth, migration, and invasion, whereas INHBA knockdown inhibits these malignant biological behaviors. Further investigation revealed that INHBA drives malignancy by reprogramming tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) toward the M2 phenotype in the TME and by inhibiting mitochondrial-dependent ferroptosis in CRC cells. Mechanistically, INHBA upregulates SLC25A10 to act

SUBMITTER: Li W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12741050 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature