THBS2 secretion by cancer ⁃associated fibroblasts drives macrophage M2 polarization via the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway to promote colorectal cancer progression
CSTR:
Author:
Affiliation:

Department of Human Anatomy,School of Basic Medicine,Nanjing Medical University,Nanjing 211166 ,China

Clc Number:

Fund Project:

  • Article
  • |
  • Figures
  • |
  • Metrics
  • |
  • Reference
  • |
  • Related
  • |
  • Cited by
  • |
  • Materials
  • |
  • Comments
    Abstract:

    Objective:To investigate the effect and mechanism of cancer-associated fibroblast(CAF)in promoting M2 polarization of macrophages by secreting thrombospondin -2(THBS2). Methods:The expression and clinical significance of THBS2 in colorectal adenocarcinoma were analyzed using the TCGA database. The cellular origin of THBS2 was identified through the TISCH2 single-cell database combined with multiplex immunohistochemical staining,and its association with immune infiltration was assessed using TIMER2.0. Western blot,ELISA,and primary CAF models were utilized to validate THBS2 secretion. The regulation of THBS2 on macrophage polarization,migration,and signaling pathways was evaluated by qRT - PCR,transwell assays,and PI3K/AKT pathway analysis. Results:THBS2 expression was significantly elevated in colorectal cancer tissues and closely correlated with advanced TNM stages and poor prognosisofpatients. Single-cell sequencing and experiments confirmed that THBS2 is specifically derived from CAFs and most strongly associated with M2 macrophage infiltration. Functional experiments demonstrated that CAF - conditioned medium upregulated M2 markers interleukin(IL)- 10,macrophage mannose receptor(MMR),CD206,arginase - 1(ARG1)and enhanced macrophage migratory capacity. Recombinant THBS2 promoted p-PI3K/p-AKT phosphorylation levelsin macrophages compared to the IL - 4 group,augmenting M2 polarization. THBS2 knockdown significantly inhibited these pro - migratory and polarization effects. Conclusion:CAF-derived THBS2 may drive macrophage M2 polarization and migration by activating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway,thereby remodeling the colorectal cancer immune microenvironment and driving malignant progression,which provides experimental evidence for immunotherapy strategies targeting the CAF-THBS2 axis in colorectal cancer.

    Reference
    Related
    Cited by
Get Citation

XU Jia, LI Mengqi, YUAN Xiaoqin. THBS2 secretion by cancer ⁃associated fibroblasts drives macrophage M2 polarization via the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway to promote colorectal cancer progression[J].,2026,(1):1-13.

Copy
Related Videos

Share
Article Metrics
  • Abstract:
  • PDF:
  • HTML:
  • Cited by:
History
  • Received:April 06,2025
  • Revised:August 19,2025
  • Adopted:September 19,2025
  • Online: January 12,2026
  • Published:
Article QR Code