Interplay between VHL/HIF1α and Wnt/β-catenin pathways during colorectal tumorigenesis

R. H. Giles, M. P. Lolkema, C. M. Snijckers, M. Belderbos, P. Van Der Groep, D. A. Mans, M. Van Beest, M. Van Noort, R. Goldschmeding, P. J. Van Diest, H. Clevers, E. E. Voest

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

88 Scopus citations

Abstract

Activation of the Wnt signaling pathway initiates the transformation of colorectal epithelial cells, although the transition to metastatic cancer requires angiogenesis. We have investigated the expression of the von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) tumor suppressor in the intestines from humans and mice. Here, we show that VHL expression is regulated by TCF4 and is restricted to the proliferative compartment at the bottom of intestinal crypts. Accordingly, VHL is completely absent from the proliferative intestinal pockets of Tcf4 -/- perinatal mice. We observed complementary staining of the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) 1α to VHL in normal intestinal epithelium as well as in all stages of colorectal cancer (CRC). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report demonstrating the presence of nuclear HIF1α in normoxic healthy adult tissue. Although we observed upregulated levels of VHL in very early CRC lesions from sporadic and familial adenomatous polyposis patients - presumably due to activated Wnt signaling - a clear reduction of VHL expression is observed in later stages of CRC progression, coinciding with stabilization of HIF1α. As loss of VHL in later stages of CRC progression results in stabilization of HIF, these data provide evidence that selection for VHL downregulation provides a proangiogenic impulse for CRC progression.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)3065-3070
Number of pages6
JournalOncogene
Volume25
Issue number21
DOIs
StatePublished - May 18 2006
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Colorectal cancer
  • Hypoxia-inducible factor
  • Von Hippel-Lindau
  • Wnt signaling

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Cancer Research

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Interplay between VHL/HIF1α and Wnt/β-catenin pathways during colorectal tumorigenesis'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this