Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and epigallocatechin-3-gallate attenuate obesity-associated CD44-high stemness in colorectal cancer through modulation of Notch1, Wnt/β-catenin and PI3K/mTOR signaling - 20/09/26
, Alice Bernardi b, Chiara Alquati b, Dajana Cuicchi c, Francesco Buttitta b, Floriana Jessica Di Paola a, Chiara Pierantoni d, Claudio Ceccarelli b, Milena Pariali b, Giulia Piazzi e, Luigi Ricciardiello b, ⁎ 
Abstract |
Obesity is a major risk factor for colorectal cancer (CRC), promoting tumor initiation through chronic inflammation and metabolic dysregulation. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) drive CRC progression through Notch1, Wnt/β-catenin (Wnt), and PI3K/mTOR (mTOR) signaling. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (EPA and DHA) and epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) may modulate these pathways. This study investigated the effects of obesogenic-like stimuli on CSC-related CRC signaling and the preventive potential of EPA:DHA-EGCG in patient-derived organoids (PDOs) from normal mucosa (NM) of non-obese (non-OB) patients. CD133 and CD44 expression was evaluated in tumor tissues and matched NM from obese (OB) and non-OB CRC patients. PDOs derived from NM of non-OB patients were exposed to an adipocyte-conditioned medium reproducing an obesogenic adipokine profile, with or without EPA:DHA (1:1) plus EGCG (EDE). Viability, morphology, and molecular markers of stemness, differentiation, and CRC-related pathways were assessed. OB CRC tissues exhibited a CSC change from CD133-high/CD44-low to CD44-high/CD133-low compared with non-OB CRC. In PDOs, OB-EDE recapitulated this CD44-high/CD133-low phenotype, increasing organoid viability and size while maintaining KRT20 comparable to control (CTRL). HES1 was significantly upregulated, consistent with modulation of Notch1 signaling. OB-EDE downregulated Wnt target genes and increased the mTOR downstream effector p-S6R. OB + EDE exerted marker- and pathway-specific effects, maintaining PROM1 at CTRL levels, reducing CD44 and HES1 , and increasing KRT20 , while LGR5 remained suppressed. Compared with OB-EDE, OB + EDE further reduced the expression of Wnt target genes and reduced p-S6R to CTRL, whereas p-mTOR/mTOR was not significantly affected. Overall, obesogenic-like stimuli were associated with a CD44-high stem-like phenotype accompanied by coordinated changes in Notch1, Wnt and mTOR signaling. EDE exerted differential effects on these molecular alterations, supporting its potential as a complementary bioactive strategy in obesity-associated CRC. Pharmacological inhibition using DAPT provided preliminary functional support for a contribution of Notch1 signaling to the maintenance of this obesogenic phenotype.
Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.Graphical Abstract |
Highlights |
• | Obesogenic-like stimuli induce a CD44-high stem-like phenotype in colorectal PDOs. |
• | Obesogenic-like stimuli alter Notch1, Wnt, and mTOR signaling in colorectal PDOs. |
• | EDE modulate CSCs, differentiation, Wnt target genes, and mTOR downstream signaling. |
Keywords : Colorectal cancer, Obesity, Cancer stem cells, Dietary bioactives, Organoids
Plan
Vol 203
Article 119900- octobre 2026 Retour au numéroBienvenue sur EM-consulte, la référence des professionnels de santé.
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