CAP2 promotes gastric cancer metastasis by mediating the interaction between tumor cells and tumor-associated macrophages

Guohao Zhang; Zhaoxin Gao; Xiangyu Guo; Ranran Ma; Xiaojie Wang; Pan Zhou; Chunlan Li; Zhiyuan Tang; Ruinan Zhao; Peng Gao

doi:10.1172/JCI166224

CAP2 promotes gastric cancer metastasis by mediating the interaction between tumor cells and tumor-associated macrophages

Guohao Zhang,¹ Zhaoxin Gao,¹ Xiangyu Guo,¹ Ranran Ma,¹ Xiaojie Wang,¹ Pan Zhou,¹ Chunlan Li,¹ Zhiyuan Tang,¹ Ruinan Zhao,¹ and Peng Gao²

Published September 14, 2023 - More info

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Abstract

The metastasis of cancer cells is the main cause of death for patients with gastric cancer (GC). Mounting evidence has demonstrated the vital importance of tumor-associated macrophages in promoting tumor invasion and metastasis; however, the interaction between tumor cells and macrophages in GC is largely unknown. In this study, we demonstrated that cyclase-associated protein 2 (CAP2) was upregulated in GC, especially in cases with lymph node metastasis, and was correlated with a poorer prognosis. The transcription factor JUN directly bound to the promoter region of CAP2 and activated CAP2 transcription. The N-terminal domain of CAP2 bound to the WD5-7 domain of receptor for activated C kinase 1 (RACK1) and induced M2 macrophage polarization by activating the SRC/focal adhesion kinase (FAK)/ ERK signaling pathway, which resulted in interleukin-4 (IL4) and IL10 secretion. Polarized M2 macrophages induced premetastatic niche formation and promoted GC metastasis by secreting transforming growth factor beta (TGFB1), which created a TGFB1/JUN/CAP2-positive feedback loop to activate CAP2 expression continuously. Furthermore, we identified Salvianolic acid B as an inhibitor of CAP2, which effectively inhibited GC cell invasion capabilities by suppressing the SRC/FAK/ERK signaling pathway. Our data suggest that CAP2, a key molecule mediating the interaction between GC cells and tumor-associated macrophages, may be a promising therapeutic target for suppressing tumor metastasis in GC.

CAP2 promotes gastric cancer metastasis by mediating the interaction between tumor cells and tumor-associated macrophages

Guohao Zhang,¹ Zhaoxin Gao,¹ Xiangyu Guo,¹ Ranran Ma,¹ Xiaojie Wang,¹ Pan Zhou,¹ Chunlan Li,¹ Zhiyuan Tang,¹ Ruinan Zhao,¹ and Peng Gao²

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CAP2 promotes gastric cancer metastasis by mediating the interaction between tumor cells and tumor-associated macrophages

Guohao Zhang,1 Zhaoxin Gao,1 Xiangyu Guo,1 Ranran Ma,1 Xiaojie Wang,1 Pan Zhou,1 Chunlan Li,1 Zhiyuan Tang,1 Ruinan Zhao,1 and Peng Gao2

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Guohao Zhang,¹ Zhaoxin Gao,¹ Xiangyu Guo,¹ Ranran Ma,¹ Xiaojie Wang,¹ Pan Zhou,¹ Chunlan Li,¹ Zhiyuan Tang,¹ Ruinan Zhao,¹ and Peng Gao²