LncRNAs, the Molecules Involved in Communications With Colorectal Cancer Stem Cells

Abstract

Colorectal cancer stem cells (CRCSCs) can actively self-renew, as well as having multidirectional differentiation and tumor regeneration abilities. Because the high functional activities of CRCSCs are associated with low cure rates in patients with colorectal cancer, efforts have sought to determine the function and regulatory mechanisms of CRCSCs. To date, however, the potential regulatory mechanisms of CRCSCs remain incompletely understood. Many non-coding genes are involved in tumor invasion and spread through their regulation of CRCSCs, with long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) being important non-coding RNAs. LncRNAs may be involved in the colorectal cancer development and drug resistance through their regulation of CRCSCs. This review systematically evaluates the latest research on the ability of lncRNAs to regulate CRCSC signaling pathways and the involvement of these lncRNAs in colorectal cancer promotion and suppression. The regulatory network of lncRNAs in the CRCSC signaling pathway has been determined. Further analysis of the potential clinical applications of lncRNAs as novel clinical diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for colorectal cancer may provide new ideas and protocols for the prevention and treatment of colorectal cancer.

Keywords: cancer stem cell; chemoresistance; colorectal cancer; lncRNA; metastasis; signal pathway.

Figure 1

Schematic representation of the effects of cytoplasmic lncRNAs in CRCSCs through ceRNA mechanism and the downstream pathways and mediators involved. LncRNAs can act as a miRNA sponge. Oncogenic lncRNAs are indicated in black and tumor-suppressor lncRNAs in red.

Figure 2

Schematic representation of the effects of nuclear lncRNAs through epigenetic modifications and transcription factors in CRCSCs and the downstream pathways and mediators involved. (1) LncRNAs can modulate transcription by transcription factors (TF) (2) LncRNAs can regulate DNA and histone modifying proteins by recruiting chromatin remodeling complexes.

Figure 3

The network of lncRNAs that regulate CRCSC-mediated chemoradiation resistance. Oncogenic lncRNAs are indicated in black and tumor-suppressor lncRNAs in red.