The immune microenvironment of the colorectal tumor: Involvement of immunity genes and microRNAs belonging to the TH17 pathway

Abstract

Colorectal cancer is a complex and multifactorial disease. Various factors such as genetic, immunological, epigenetic and environmental constitute minor risk factors with their additive effects contributing to the advent of colorectal cancer. In order to evaluate the role of innate and adaptive immunity in the susceptibility, the presentation and the development of colorectal cancer, we considered an immunogenetic approach on polymorphisms in the TLR4 gene and NOD2/CARD15 gene (receptors of innate immunity) as well as in cytokine genes of the TH17 pathway IL17A, IL17F and cytokine receptor IL23R. Then, we evaluated the expression of microRNAs regulated by TLR4 and NOD2/CARD15 or targeting TLR4, IL17 and proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF) induced by IL17. Through a case–control study, we showed that the polymorphism of IL17A is associated with its susceptibility to colorectal cancer. Considering the tumor location, we found that the mutated alleles of IL17A, IL17F and IL23R are rather associated with colon cancer and not with rectum cancer. This result confirms that the colon and rectum are two different physiological entities. This study shows that TLR4, IL17A/F and IL23R polymorphisms are involved in the presentation of the disease with regard to tumor architecture, histology, and differentiation, advanced stage of the disease and lymph node and metastasis. Overall, these polymorphisms are associated with a poor prognosis of the disease. Furthermore, in order to evaluate the involvement of epigenetic mechanisms in the occurrence of colorectal cancer, we aimed at analyzing the tumor compared to a normal adjacent tissue and the expression of miRNAs (miR21, miR146a, miR135a, miR147b and miR155) that regulate immunity genes especially the cytokines of the TH17 pathway. This research has shown that microRNAs 21, 135a and 146a are associated with colorectal cancer. Indeed, these three miRs are overexpressed in cancer tissue compared to healthy tissue. These results clearly confirm the involvement of epigenetics in colorectal cancer. In other words, this study reveals the importance of immunity and specifically the TH17 pathway in the development and presentation of colorectal cancer. These results suggest that TLR4, IL17A, IL17F and IL23R polymorphisms as well as the expression of microRNAs that regulate inflammation and the TH17 pathway are associated with the evolution and progression of the colorectal tumor that could be considered as biomarkers in colorectal cancer.