Fusobacterium nucleatum promotes colorectal cancer through neogenesis of tumor stem cells

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Abstract

Intestinal stem cells are crucial for maintaining intestinal homeostasis, yet their transformation into tumor stem cells in the context of microbial infection remains poorly understood. Fusobacterium nucleatum (F. nucleatum) is frequently associated with the onset and progression of colorectal cancer (CRC). In this study, we uncovered that F. nucleatum colonized the depths of gut crypts in both human CRC patients and mouse models. Through single-cell sequencing analysis, we demonstrated that F. nucleatum infection reprogrammed crypt cells and activated LY6A+ revival stem cells (RSCs), promoting their hyperproliferation and subsequent transformation into tumor stem cells, which accelerated intestinal carcinogenesis. Mechanistically, we identified LY6A as a GPI-anchored membrane receptor for F. nucleatum. Upon binding, F. nucleatum induced upregulation of RPS14 via the LY6A receptor, driving RSC hyperactivity and tumorigenic conversion. Functional studies showed that genetic ablation of Ly6a in intestinal epithelial cells or Rps14 in LY6A+ RSCs substantially reduced F. nucleatum colonization and tumorigenesis. Moreover, clinical CRC cohorts analysis revealed a strong correlation between F. nucleatum infection, RSC expansion, and elevated RPS14 expression in tumor tissues. These findings highlight an alternative F. nucleatum-LY6A-RPS14 signaling axis as a critical driver of CRC progression and propose potential therapeutic targets for effective CRC intervention.

Authors

Qinying Wang, Tingting Hu, Qinyuan Zhang, Yichi Zhang, Xiaoxu Dong, Yutao Jin, Jinming Li, Yangyang Guo, Fanying Guo, Ziying Chen, Peijie Zhong, Yongzhi Yang, Yanlei Ma