Wnt5a/caMKII/ERK/CCL2 axis is required for tumor-associated macrophages to promote colorectal cancer progression

Abstract

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are closely correlated with tumor occurrence, invasion, and metastasis. However, factors affecting the biological functions of TAMs in colorectal cancer (CRC) are incompletely understood. Here, we found that Wnt5a was mainly expressed on TAMs of tumor stroma but not on CRC cells. Subsequently, we found that Wnt5a+ TAMs facilitated tumor cell proliferation and migration, and recruited macrophages infiltration. Furthermore, Wnt5a knockdown impaired the pro-tumor roles of TAMs in vivo and in vitro. Mechanistically, the cancer-promoting roles of Wnt5a in TAMs depended on CaMKII-ERK pathway-mediated CCL2 secretion. Our data reveal the crucial role played by TAM-expressed Wnt5a in CRC tumorigenesis through paracrine secretion of CCL2. We first report the connection between Wnt5a/CaMKII/ERK/CCL2 axis and biological functions of TAMs in tumor microenvironment, indicating that Wnt5a may be a novel therapeutic target for CRC.