Colon cancer exosome-associated HSP90B1 initiates pre-metastatic niche formation in the liver by polarizing M1 macrophage into M2 phenotype

Abstract Background Colorectal cancer (CRC) frequently metastasizes to the liver, worsening patient outcomes. The formation of a pre-metastatic niche (PMN) is essential for this process, but how the primary colon tumor orchestrates the PMN formation remains unclear. Methods This study investigated t...

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Main Authors: ShuJie Li, Xue Fu, Deng Ning, QiuMeng Liu, JunFang Zhao, Qi Cheng, XiaoPing Chen, Li Jiang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-04-01
Series:Biology Direct
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13062-025-00623-0
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author ShuJie Li
Xue Fu
Deng Ning
QiuMeng Liu
JunFang Zhao
Qi Cheng
XiaoPing Chen
Li Jiang
author_facet ShuJie Li
Xue Fu
Deng Ning
QiuMeng Liu
JunFang Zhao
Qi Cheng
XiaoPing Chen
Li Jiang
author_sort ShuJie Li
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Colorectal cancer (CRC) frequently metastasizes to the liver, worsening patient outcomes. The formation of a pre-metastatic niche (PMN) is essential for this process, but how the primary colon tumor orchestrates the PMN formation remains unclear. Methods This study investigated the role of CRC-derived exosomes using CT-26 murine colon carcinoma cells. The effects of these exosomes on immune cells, specifically M1 macrophage polarization and CD8 + T cell viability, were assessed. HSP90B1 expression in CT-26-derived exosomes was analyzed to understand its contribution to PMN formation. HSP90B1 silencing experiments were conducted to evaluate its impact on immunosuppressive PMN creation and liver metastasis. Patient blood samples were also examined to correlate exosomal HSP90B1 levels with CRC progression. Results Exosomes from CT-26 cells were found to polarize M1 macrophages into an M2 phenotype and decrease CD8 + T cell viability, promoting liver metastasis. High expression of HSP90B1 in CT-26 cell-derived exosomes was identified as a key factor in inducing M2 macrophage polarization and creating an immunosuppressive PMN. Silencing HSP90B1 significantly inhibited the exosome-mediated formation of the immunosuppressive PMN and reduced liver metastasis. Furthermore, elevated levels of HSP90B1 in patient-derived exosomes were associated with advanced CRC and poorer prognosis. Conclusions CRC-derived exosomes promote liver metastasis by forming an immunosuppressive PMN through HSP90B1. Targeting HSP90B1 in CRC exosomes may offer a new therapeutic strategy to prevent liver metastasis and improve patient outcomes.
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spelling doaj-art-678194cbf3374e30ac4e8fef71daaf212025-08-20T02:24:26ZengBMCBiology Direct1745-61502025-04-0120111110.1186/s13062-025-00623-0Colon cancer exosome-associated HSP90B1 initiates pre-metastatic niche formation in the liver by polarizing M1 macrophage into M2 phenotypeShuJie Li0Xue Fu1Deng Ning2QiuMeng Liu3JunFang Zhao4Qi Cheng5XiaoPing Chen6Li Jiang7Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & TechnologyDepartment of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & TechnologyDepartment of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyHubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary DiseasesDepartment of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & TechnologyHubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary DiseasesHubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary DiseasesDepartment of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & TechnologyAbstract Background Colorectal cancer (CRC) frequently metastasizes to the liver, worsening patient outcomes. The formation of a pre-metastatic niche (PMN) is essential for this process, but how the primary colon tumor orchestrates the PMN formation remains unclear. Methods This study investigated the role of CRC-derived exosomes using CT-26 murine colon carcinoma cells. The effects of these exosomes on immune cells, specifically M1 macrophage polarization and CD8 + T cell viability, were assessed. HSP90B1 expression in CT-26-derived exosomes was analyzed to understand its contribution to PMN formation. HSP90B1 silencing experiments were conducted to evaluate its impact on immunosuppressive PMN creation and liver metastasis. Patient blood samples were also examined to correlate exosomal HSP90B1 levels with CRC progression. Results Exosomes from CT-26 cells were found to polarize M1 macrophages into an M2 phenotype and decrease CD8 + T cell viability, promoting liver metastasis. High expression of HSP90B1 in CT-26 cell-derived exosomes was identified as a key factor in inducing M2 macrophage polarization and creating an immunosuppressive PMN. Silencing HSP90B1 significantly inhibited the exosome-mediated formation of the immunosuppressive PMN and reduced liver metastasis. Furthermore, elevated levels of HSP90B1 in patient-derived exosomes were associated with advanced CRC and poorer prognosis. Conclusions CRC-derived exosomes promote liver metastasis by forming an immunosuppressive PMN through HSP90B1. Targeting HSP90B1 in CRC exosomes may offer a new therapeutic strategy to prevent liver metastasis and improve patient outcomes.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13062-025-00623-0Colon cancerPre-metastatic NichExosomeMacrophage polarizationHSP90B1
spellingShingle ShuJie Li
Xue Fu
Deng Ning
QiuMeng Liu
JunFang Zhao
Qi Cheng
XiaoPing Chen
Li Jiang
Colon cancer exosome-associated HSP90B1 initiates pre-metastatic niche formation in the liver by polarizing M1 macrophage into M2 phenotype
Biology Direct
Colon cancer
Pre-metastatic Nich
Exosome
Macrophage polarization
HSP90B1
title Colon cancer exosome-associated HSP90B1 initiates pre-metastatic niche formation in the liver by polarizing M1 macrophage into M2 phenotype
title_full Colon cancer exosome-associated HSP90B1 initiates pre-metastatic niche formation in the liver by polarizing M1 macrophage into M2 phenotype
title_fullStr Colon cancer exosome-associated HSP90B1 initiates pre-metastatic niche formation in the liver by polarizing M1 macrophage into M2 phenotype
title_full_unstemmed Colon cancer exosome-associated HSP90B1 initiates pre-metastatic niche formation in the liver by polarizing M1 macrophage into M2 phenotype
title_short Colon cancer exosome-associated HSP90B1 initiates pre-metastatic niche formation in the liver by polarizing M1 macrophage into M2 phenotype
title_sort colon cancer exosome associated hsp90b1 initiates pre metastatic niche formation in the liver by polarizing m1 macrophage into m2 phenotype
topic Colon cancer
Pre-metastatic Nich
Exosome
Macrophage polarization
HSP90B1
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13062-025-00623-0
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