PDIA3 driven STAT3/PD-1 signaling promotes M2 TAM polarization and aggravates colorectal cancer progression

Aging (Albany NY). 2024 May 17;16(10):8880-8897. doi: 10.18632/aging.205847. Epub 2024 May 17.

Abstract

Objective: This inquiry endeavors to delineate the influence of PDIA3 on tumor-associated macrophages within the realm of colorectal malignancies, whilst elucidating the intrinsic biochemical pathways.

Method: Leveraging bioinformatics, we scrutinized the symbiosis between PDIA3, STAT3, and CD274. A xenograft model in immunodeficient murine served to assess PDIA3's impact on colorectal carcinogenesis. Further, Western blot analysis quantified the protein expression of PDIA3, p-STAT3, PD-1, XBP-1, assorted enzymes, and IL-6. Moreover, in vitro assays gauged SW480 cellular dynamics inclusive of migration, invasive potential, and proliferation.

Results: Bioinformatics exploration exposed PDIA3's elevated presence in diverse cancers, with a marked expression in colorectal cancer, as per TCGA and GEO repositories. Correlative studies showed PDIA3 positively aligning with STAT3 and CD274, the latter also associated with monocyte-derived macrophages. Comparative analysis of colorectal neoplasms and normal colon samples unveiled heightened levels of PDIA3 markers which, when overexpressed in SW480 cells, escalated tumorigenicity and oncogenic behaviors, with a noted decrease upon PD-1 monoclonal antibody intervention.

Conclusions: PDIA3 augments the M2 polarization of tumor-associated macrophages via modulation of the STAT3/PD-1 cascade, thus invigorating the tumorous proliferation and dissemination in colorectal cancer. Such revelations position PDIA3 as an auspicious target for PD-1 blockade therapeutics, offering a promising foundation for rectifying colorectal carcinoma.

Keywords: PDIA3; cancer microecology; colorectal neoplasm; immunological subterfuge; neoplastic therapy.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Colorectal Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Colorectal Neoplasms* / metabolism
  • Colorectal Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Disease Progression
  • Humans
  • Macrophages / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor* / genetics
  • Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor* / metabolism
  • Protein Disulfide-Isomerases* / genetics
  • Protein Disulfide-Isomerases* / metabolism
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor* / genetics
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor* / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction*
  • Tumor-Associated Macrophages / immunology
  • Tumor-Associated Macrophages / metabolism

Substances

  • STAT3 Transcription Factor
  • Protein Disulfide-Isomerases
  • STAT3 protein, human
  • PDIA3 protein, human
  • Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor
  • PDCD1 protein, human