CXCR7/CXCR4 heterodimer-induced histone demethylation: a new mechanism of colorectal tumorigenesis.

Both chemokine receptors (CXCRs) 7 and 4 can facilitate immune cell migration and mediate a vast array of physiological and pathological events. Herein we report, in both human and animal studies, that these two CXCRs can form heterodimers in vivo and promote colorectal tumorigenesis through histone demethylation. Compared with adjacent non-neoplastic tissue, human colorectal cancer (CRC) tissue showed a significant higher expression of CXCR4 and CXCR7, which was colocalized in the cancer cell epithelium. The CXCR/CXCR4 heterodimerization was associated with increased histone demethylase JMJD2A. Villin-CXCR7-CXCR4 transgenic mice demonstrated a greater degree of exacerbated colitis and tumorigenesis than villin-CXCR7 and villin-CXCR4 mice. The CXCR7/CXCR4 heterodimerization also promoted APC mutation-driven colorectal tumorigenesis in APC/villin-CXCR7-CXCR4 mice. Further analysis showed that the CXCR7/CXCR4 heterodimer induced nuclear βarr1 recruitment and histone demethylase JMJD2A, leading to histone demethylation and resulting in transcription of inflammatory factors and oncogenes. This study uncovered a novel mechanism of colorectal tumorigenesis through the CXCR7/CXCR4 heterodimer-induced histone demethylation. Inhibition of CXCR7/CXCR4 heterodimer-induced histone demethylation could be an effective strategy for the prevention and treatment of colorectal cancer.