Gut microbiota and macrophage crosstalk: implications for colitis-associated colorectal cancer - PubMed
14 hours ago
- #macrophage polarization
- #gut microbiota
- #colitis-associated colorectal cancer
- Colitis-associated colorectal cancer (CAC) is a severe complication of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
- CAC is linked to chronic intestinal inflammation and involves interactions among immune cells, epithelial cells, and gut microbiota.
- Macrophages play a central role in intestinal immunity and can shift from anti-inflammatory to pro-tumorigenic phenotypes under dysbiotic conditions.
- Pathogenic bacteria like Fusobacterium nucleatum and Escherichia coli promote M2-like macrophage polarization, creating a tumor-permissive environment.
- Beneficial bacteria such as Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus are often depleted in CAC, weakening anti-inflammatory responses.
- The article reviews microbiota-macrophage interactions and their role in CAC development, suggesting potential therapeutic strategies targeting these pathways.