Activation of STAT3 signaling is mediated by TFF1 silencing in gastric neoplasia

Nat Commun. 2019 Jul 10;10(1):3039. doi: 10.1038/s41467-019-11011-4.

Abstract

TFF1, a secreted protein, plays an essential role in keeping the integrity of gastric mucosa and its barrier function. Loss of TFF1 expression in the TFF1-knockout (KO) mouse leads to a pro-inflammatory phenotype with a cascade of gastric lesions that include low-grade dysplasia, high-grade dysplasia, and adenocarcinomas. In this study, we demonstrate nuclear localization of p-STATY705, with significant overexpression of several STAT3 target genes in gastric glands from the TFF1-KO mice. We also show frequent loss of TFF1 with nuclear localization of STAT3 in human gastric cancers. The reconstitution of TFF1 protein in human gastric cancer cells and 3D gastric glands organoids from TFF1-KO mice abrogates IL6-induced nuclear p-STAT3Y705 expression. Reconstitution of TFF1 inhibits IL6-induced STAT3 transcription activity, suppressing expression of its target genes. TFF1 blocks IL6Rα-GP130 complex formation through interfering with binding of IL6 to its receptor IL6Rα. These findings demonstrate a functional role of TFF1 in suppressing gastric tumorigenesis by impeding the IL6-STAT3 pro-inflammatory signaling axis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / genetics*
  • Adenocarcinoma / pathology
  • Animals
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / genetics
  • Epithelial Cells
  • Gastric Mucosa / cytology
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-6 / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Primary Cell Culture / methods
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / genetics*
  • Stomach Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Stomach Neoplasms / pathology
  • Tissue Array Analysis
  • Trefoil Factor-1 / genetics*
  • Trefoil Factor-1 / metabolism

Substances

  • IL6 protein, human
  • Interleukin-6
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor
  • STAT3 protein, human
  • Stat3 protein, mouse
  • TFF1 protein, human
  • Tff1 protein, mouse
  • Trefoil Factor-1
  • interleukin-6, mouse