Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41673874›Full record

ArticleJournal of translational medicine2026

TCF21-WNT5A axis drives metastasis of colorectal cancer via stromal-tumor cell communication.

Qingxing Huang, Aigang Ren, Xiaolong Cui, Dianfeng Tian, Hui Liu, Liwei Wang, Aihong Cao

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Article in Journal of translational medicine, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Qingxing Huang *Colorectal Surgery Department, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001, China.
Aigang Ren *Colorectal Surgery Department, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001, China.
Xiaolong CuiColorectal Surgery Department, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001, China.
Dianfeng TianColorectal Surgery Department, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001, China.
Hui LiuColorectal Surgery Department, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001, China.
Liwei WangColorectal Surgery Department, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001, China.
Aihong CaoIntensive Care Unit, Shanxi Provincial Cancer Hospital, Taiyuan, 030013, China. caoaihong999@126.com.ORCID 0009-0008-7454-6627

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionThe third most prevalent form of cancer, colorectal cancer (CRC), is associated with a high mortality rate due to colorectal liver metastases (CRLM). However, the molecular mechanisms underlying CRLM remain poorly understood.

methodsScRNA-seq data and Bulk RNA-seq data were collected from GEO database. First, we screened genes that showed differentially expression in three groups of colorectal tissues (normal vs. primary tumor vs. metastases). We then performed machine learning to identify signature genes involved in colorectal cancer. We further investigated the expression patterns of these core genes at the single-cell level. Through the integration of single-cell and bulk RNA-seq data, we have identified pivotal genes linked to CRC liver metastasis. Furthermore, we revealed that TCF21 is overexpressed in colorectal tumor tissues with metastases using clinical samples and HCT116 cells.

resultsWe have identified 12 pivotal genes linked to CRC liver metastasis, which aims to dissect the molecular underpinnings of colorectal cancer and pave the way for novel therapeutic targets in clinical practice. Using scRNA-seq analysis, our findings revealed unique cellular communication features in CRC metastasis. Besides, TCF21

conclusionsWe identified 12 signature hub genes associated with CRLM by using both scRNA-seq and bulk RNA-seq analysis. Further, we revealed the vital role of TCF21, which promotes CRLM by regulating WNT5A in CRC metastasis. The revelations have illuminated the pivotal function of the TCF21-WNT5A pathway in the development of colorectal cancer, indicating possible avenues for therapeutic intervention aimed at preventing and managing the spread of CRC.

Indexed as

Basic Helix-Loop-Helix ProteinsCell CommunicationColorectal NeoplasmsStromal CellsWnt-5a ProteinAnimalsGene Expression Regulation, NeoplasticHCT116 CellsHumansLiver NeoplasmsNeoplasm MetastasisBasic Helix-Loop-Helix ProteinsTCF21 protein, humanWnt-5a ProteinWNT5A protein, humanColorectal cancerImmunityMetastasisTCF21WNT5A

Identifiers

PMID41673874
PMCPMC12997998

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.