Fibroblast-derived Gremlin1 localises to epithelial cells at the base of the intestinal crypt

Louise R. Dutton, Owen P. Hoare, Amy M.B. McCorry, Keara L. Redmond, Noor Eisa Adam, Shannon Canamara, Victoria Bingham, Paul B. Mullan, Mark Lawler, Philip D. Dunne, Derek P. Brazil*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

14 Citations (Scopus)
238 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Gremlin1 (GREM1) is a secreted glycoprotein member of the differential screening-selected gene in aberrant neuroblastoma (DAN) family of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) antagonists, which binds to BMPs preventing their receptor engagement. Previous studies have identified that stage II colorectal cancer (CRC) patients with high levels of GREM1 gene expression in their tumour tissue have a poorer prognosis. Using a series of in silico and in situ methodologies, we demonstrate that GREM1 gene expression is significantly higher (p < 0.0001) in CRC consensus molecular subtype 4 (CMS4), compared to the other CMS subtypes and correlates (p < 0.0001) with levels of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) within the CRC tumour microenvironment (TME). Our optimised immunohistochemistry protocol identified endogenous GREM1 protein expression in both the muscularis mucosa and adjacent colonic crypt bases in mouse intestine, in contrast to RNA expression which was shown to localise specifically to the muscularis mucosa, as determined by in situ hybridisation. Importantly, we demonstrate that cells with high levels of GREM1 expression display low levels of phospho-Smad1/5, consistent with reduced BMP signalling. Taken together, these data highlight a novel paracrine signalling circuit, which involves uptake of mature GREM1 protein by colonic crypt cells following secretion from neighbouring fibroblasts in the TME.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)4630-4639
Number of pages10
JournalOncotarget
Volume10
Issue number45
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 23 Jul 2019

Keywords

  • Colorectal cancer
  • Fibroblasts
  • Gremlin1
  • Pathology
  • Stroma

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Fibroblast-derived Gremlin1 localises to epithelial cells at the base of the intestinal crypt'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this