Project description:Using 5' droplet-based single cell sequencing, we profiled single cells dervied from human colorectal cancer organoids carrying either APC mutation or RSPO fusion, and paired normal colon organoids for the later.
Project description:Tumor metastasis accounts for the majority of cancer-related deaths; it is therefore important to develop preclinical models that faithfully recapitulate disease progression. Here, we generated paired organoids derived from primary tumors and matched liver metastases in the same colorectal cancer patients (CRC). Despite the fact that paired organoids exhibit comparable gene expression and cell morphology. organoids from metastatic lesions demonstrate more aggressive phenotypes, tumorigenesis, and metastatic capacity than those from primary lesions. Transcriptional analyses of the paired organoids reveal signature genes and pathways altered during the progression of CRC. including SOX2, altered during the progression of CRC. Further study shows that inducible knockdown of SOX2 attenuated invasion, proliferation, and liver metastasis outgrowth. Taken together, we use patient-derived organoids to model cancer metastasis. Our data propose that SOX2 is not only a critical biomarker for the development and metastasis of CRC, but also a potent target for the disease treatment.
Project description:This study has two components: (1) Human colon adenoma organoids (n=4 patients) were dissociated into single cells. Cells were incubated with a magnetic bead bound to an LGR5 antibody and run through a magnetic column. Magnet bound cells and flow through negative (FTN) cells were obtained. Magnet bound and FTN cells were incubated with an APC-check reagent (which binds to the magnetic bead on the LGR5 antibody) and DAPI, before being sorted by flow cytometry. 3 populations of live (DAPI-) cells were collected: FTN: Flow through negative. LGR5 negative by magnet and by flow cytometry SortedNeg: Magnet bound cells that were negative for LGR5 by flow cytometry SortedPos: Magnet bound cells that were positive for LGR5 by flow cytometry (2) Human colon organoids, as well as the tissue the organoid was derived from and adjcacent normal tissue (from n=19) were also profiled for known colorectal cancer associated mutations using the Qiagen Qiaseq Colorectal Cancer Panel, which provides targeted sequencing information for 71 genes.
Project description:Colorectal cancer liver metastasis (CRLM) remains a significant challenge in the treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC). N6-methyladenosine (m6A) as a new layer of epigenetic RNA modification is closely linked to various mechanisms of tumor metastasis, offering new avenues for targeted therapies. However, the role of m6A-mediated mechanisms underlying colorectal liver metastasis is still unclear. In this study, we identified a novel m6A-modified transcriptional factor BTB/POZ domain protein ZBTB7A (zinc finger and BTB domain-containing 7A) using integrative m6A-sequencing (MeRIP-seq), RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) analyses, and investigated the functional significance and underlying mechanisms of ZBTB7A as a promoting factor in liver metastasis of CRC. Mechanically, ZBTB7A could be positively regulated by m6A methyltransferase METTL3 and promote the process of CRLM through ARHGAP26-mediated Rho GTPases signaling pathway in a m6A-dependent manner. More importantly, we also applied a targeted RNA m6A erasure (TRME) system to focus methylation on a specific site within a transcript of interest rather altering global levels of m6A abundance and demonstrated that temporal m6A erasure on a single site of ZBTB7A is sufficient to inhibit the CRC cell migration. This study unveils the critical role of the METTL3/ZBTB7A/ARHGAP26 axis in the process of m6A-mediated CRLM and positions m6A precise editing as a promising therapy in the preclinical treatment of tumor metastasis.
Project description:Colorectal cancer liver metastasis (CRLM) remains a significant challenge in the treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC). N6-methyladenosine (m6A) as a new layer of epigenetic RNA modification is closely linked to various mechanisms of tumor metastasis, offering new avenues for targeted therapies. However, the role of m6A-mediated mechanisms underlying colorectal liver metastasis is still unclear. In this study, we identified a novel m6A-modified transcriptional factor BTB/POZ domain protein ZBTB7A (zinc finger and BTB domain-containing 7A) using integrative m6A-sequencing (MeRIP-seq), RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) analyses, and investigated the functional significance and underlying mechanisms of ZBTB7A as a promoting factor in liver metastasis of CRC. Mechanically, ZBTB7A could be positively regulated by m6A methyltransferase METTL3 and promote the process of CRLM through ARHGAP26-mediated Rho GTPases signaling pathway in a m6A-dependent manner. More importantly, we also applied a targeted RNA m6A erasure (TRME) system to focus methylation on a specific site within a transcript of interest rather altering global levels of m6A abundance and demonstrated that temporal m6A erasure on a single site of ZBTB7A is sufficient to inhibit the CRC cell migration. This study unveils the critical role of the METTL3/ZBTB7A/ARHGAP26 axis in the process of m6A-mediated CRLM and positions m6A precise editing as a promising therapy in the preclinical treatment of tumor metastasis.
Project description:Patient-derived colorectal cancer organoids were injected into mice to grow into subcutaneous tumors. Tumors were profiled through multiplexed single-cell RNA-sequencing.
Project description:This study will perform single-cell RNA sequencing on primary tumor tissues (T) and matched adjacent non-tumor tissues (N) from six colorectal cancer patients, along with paired liver metastatic lesions (M) from three of these patients, to construct an integrated single-cell atlas spanning primary tumors, adjacent normal tissues, and distant metastases. This multi-region, patient-matched design enables systematic dissection of cellular heterogeneity, dynamic immune responses, and key molecular mechanisms driving metastasis in colorectal cancer.