Epigenetic memory of colitis promotes tumour growth - PubMed
3 hours ago
- #cancer
- #inflammation
- #epigenetics
- Chronic inflammation is a known risk factor for cancer, but the molecular mechanisms are unclear.
- Colonic stem cells retain an epigenetic memory of inflammation long after colitis resolution.
- This memory involves increased AP-1 transcription factor activity and durable chromatin accessibility changes.
- SHARE-TRACE method developed to profile gene expression, chromatin accessibility, and clonal history in single cells.
- Epigenetic memory is cell-intrinsic and inherited through stem cell divisions, varying in strength among clones.
- Colitis primes stem cells for AP-1-regulated gene expression, accelerating tumor growth upon oncogenic mutation.
- Findings link chronic inflammation to malignancy via long-lived epigenetic changes in regenerative tissues.
- Potential diagnostic and therapeutic strategies suggested to reduce cancer risk in chronic inflammatory conditions.