1. Mesenchymal Cells in Colon Cancer
Vasiliki Koliaraki, Charles K. Pallangyo, Florian R. Greten, George Kollias 
Gastroenterology 
Volume 152, Issue 5, Pages (April 2017)
DOI: /j.gastro
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2. Figure 1
Origin of intestinal mesenchymal cells during tumor development. (A) Mesothelin-positive cells and possibly neural crest cells or other progenitors give rise to tissue resident mesenchymal cells during development. In tumors, resident mesenchymal cells, including myofibroblasts, fibroblasts, pericytes, MSCs, and potentially SMCs, become activated to develop into CAFs. Other resident cells, such as epithelial or endothelial cells, can act as a source of CAFs, via the EMT and EndoMT, which are each regulated by TGF-β. Bone marrow-derived cells, including hematopoietic mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) and fibrocytes, are also recruited by TGF-β and CXCL12 pathways and further contribute to CAF development.
Gastroenterology  , DOI: ( /j.gastro )
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3. Figure 2
IMC-specific functions and effector molecules in CAC and CRC. The major functions as well as the effector molecules for each function of IMCs and CAFs in intestinal carcinogenesis are shown. These include regulation of epithelial homeostasis and proliferation, survival, and differentiation of nearby epithelial and cancer cells; modulation of the immune response and inflammation; maintenance of the epithelial stem cell niche; promotion of angiogenesis and neovascularization; regulation of synthesis and remodeling of the ECM; and determination of the metastatic potential of tumors. Ereg, epiregulin; FN, fibronectin; HA, hyaluronic acid; ICAM1, intercellular adhesion molecule 1.
Gastroenterology  , DOI: ( /j.gastro )
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4. Figure 3
Role of IMCs in initiation and progression of CAC. During development of CAC, IMCs respond to stimuli from the microenvironment, immune cells, or preneoplastic cells and produce chemokines, cytokines, growth factors, stem cell niche factors, and matrix remodeling enzymes. These affect tissue damage, inflammation, stem cell function, and initiation of tumorigenesis. After tumors are established, inflammatory cells are recruited, which activate IMCs and CAFs. These produce cytokines and growth factors that promote cancer cell proliferation, neovascularization, and immune cell recruitment and also promote metastasis through promotion of EMT and ECM remodeling. GFs, growth factors; RNI, reactive nitrogen intermediates; ROS, reactive oxygen species.
Gastroenterology  , DOI: ( /j.gastro )
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5. Figure 4
Models for therapeutic interventions based on IMC or CAF tumorigenic functions. (A) Eliminating of CAFs through targeted cell death. Agents that target FAP are being studied in trials of patients with colorectal cancer. (B) Normalization of CAFs, inhibiting their tumorigenic functions. (C) CAF-specific delivery of drugs for greater efficiency and minimized side effects. NSAIDs, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Gastroenterology  , DOI: ( /j.gastro )
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