Abstract 2601: HMGA1 is induced by procarcinogenic bacteria within the microbiome where it drives expansion in the colon stem cell pool and tumorigenesis

Cancer cells undergo chromatin remodeling and epigenetic reprogramming to hijack stem cell transcriptional networks and drive tumorigenesis, although the molecular underpinnings remain unclear. High Mobility Group A (HMGA1) chromatin remodeling proteins are architectural transcription factors that bind AT-rich sequences where they “open” chromatin and recruit transcriptional complexes to modulate gene expression. The HMGA1 gene is highly expressed during embryogenesis, but silenced postnatally in differentiated tissues. HMGA1 is re-expressed in aggressive cancers where high levels portend adverse clinical outcomes. In colorectal cancer, HMGA1 is among the genes most overexpressed compared to normal colon epithelium. We previously found that HMGA1 induces genes involved in EMT and drives tumor progression in colon cancer models. Hmga1 transgenic mice develop aberrant proliferation and polyposis in the small intestine and colon. In intestinal stem cells, Hmga1 amplifies Wnt signals to enhance self-renewal. Surprisingly, Hmga1 also induces Sox-9 to drive Paneth cell differentiation and “build” a stem cell niche. To determine how HMGA1 functions in the colon, we examined mouse models with varied levels of Hmga1. Hmga1 overexpression in colon stem cells leads to expansion of the colon stem cell pool. Both goblet cells and colonic mucous are increased. In DSS models of inflammatory bowel disease, Hmga1 enhances repair and tissue regeneration, while Hmga1 overexpression promotes aberrant proliferation and polyposis with advancing age. To determine how HMGA1 is induced during carcinogenesis, we examined mice harboring a heterozygous Apc mutation (Min+/-) following colonization with the human symbiotic bacteria, enterotoxigenic Bacterioides fragilis (ETBF). ETBF triggers increased Wnt signaling by inducing E-cadherin cleavage with release of membrane bound β-catenin, leading to enhanced distal colon tumorigenesis in mice. Further, ETBF colonization in humans is linked to colon cancer. ETBF colonization in mice induces Hmga1 and increases stem cell self-renewal in preliminary studies. Inflammatory cytokine genes are also induced. Bacteroides fragilis toxin (BFT) induces Hmga1 in wildtype and Min+/- mouse colon organoids. HMGA1 also increases modestly in human HT29/C1 cells after exposure to BFT. Studies are underway to identify transcriptional networks and epigenetic alterations governed by HMGA1 in this setting. This work not only provides new insights into the role of HMGA1 in colon epithelial homeostasis by maintaining both the stem cell pool and promoting regeneration following injury, but also suggests that HMGA1 can be aberrantly induced by signals from the microbiome to promote tumorigenesis. Our results also highlight the interactions between the microbiome and HMGA1 as a potential therapeutic opportunity in colon carcinogenesis. Citation Format: Linda M S Resar, Lingling Xian, Jawara Allen, Shaoguang Wu, Lionel Chia, Cynthia Sears. HMGA1 is induced by procarcinogenic bacteria within the microbiome where it drives expansion in the colon stem cell pool and tumorigenesis [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 2601.