The WNT5A Agonist Foxy5 Reduces the Number of Colonic Cancer Stem Cells in a Xenograft Mouse Model of Human Colonic Cancer

Background: The wingless-type mammary tumour virus integration site 5A (WNT5A) agonist Foxy5 was shown in vitro to affect intracellular signalling implicated in the regulation of colonic Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs).

Materials and methods: In order to study whether Foxy5 can modulate CSCs, either HT-29 or Caco-2 human colonic Cancer cells, both lacking endogenous WNT5A expression, were inoculated subcutaneously into nude mice.

Results: Foxy5 reduced the expression of the stem-cell marker aldehyde dehydrogenase and, interestingly, the specific colon CSC marker double cortin-like kinase 1. Foxy5 also reduced active β-catenin and the expression of its downstream target Achaete Scute complex homolog 2, a CSC-preserving transcription factor. Foxy5 also reduced cyclo-oxygenase 2 expression, responsible for the formation of the CSC-promoting prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂), but increased that of 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase expression, a PGE₂-degrading Enzyme. Accordingly, Foxy5 impairs both β-catenin and PGE₂ signalling, both of which have been implicated in promoting the niche of colonic CSCs.

Conclusion: Our data suggest that Foxy5 can complement the traditional adjuvant chemotherapeutic treatment to which CSCs are resistant.