AUTHOR=Tang Hui , Zheng Ji , Bai Xuan , Yue Ke-Lin , Liang Jian-Hua , Li Dan-Yang , Wang Lin-Ping , Wang Jin-Li , Guo Qiang 

TITLE=Forkhead Box Q1 Is Critical to Angiogenesis and Macrophage Recruitment of Colorectal Cancer

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Oncology

VOLUME=10

YEAR=2020

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/oncology/articles/10.3389/fonc.2020.564298

DOI=10.3389/fonc.2020.564298

ISSN=2234-943X

ABSTRACT=<p>Angiogenesis and the tumor microenvironment (TME) play important roles in tumorigenesis. Forkhead box Q1 (FOXQ1) is a well-established oncogene in multiple tumors, including colorectal cancer (CRC); however, whether FOXQ1 contributes to angiogenesis and TME modification in CRC remains largely uncharacterized. Here, we demonstrate an essential role of FOXQ1-induced angiogenesis and macrophage recruitment in CRC that is related to its ability to promote the migration of endothelial cells and macrophages through activation of the EGF/PDGF pathway and the Twist1/CCL2 axis. We also provide evidence showing that the clinical significance between FOXQ1, Twist1, CCL2, and macrophage infiltration is associated with reduced 8-year survival in CRC patients. Our findings suggest FOXQ1 plays critical roles in the malignancy and progression of CRC, Therefore, FOXQ1 may serve as a therapeutic target for inhibiting angiogenesis and reducing macrophage recruitment in CRC.</p>