Lgals3bp suppresses colon inflammation and tumorigenesis through the downregulation of TAK1-NF-kappa B signaling

Galectin 3-binding protein (LGALS3BP, also known as 90K) is a multifunctional glycoprotein involved in immunity and cancer. However, its precise role in colon inflammation and tumorigenesis remains unclear. Here, we showed that Lgals3bp(-/-) mice were highly susceptible to colitis and colon tumorigenesis, accompanied by the induction of inflammatory responses. In acute colitis, NF-kappa B was highly activated in the colon of Lgals3bp(-/-) mice, leading to the excessive production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-6, TNF alpha, and IL-1 beta. Mechanistically, Lgals3bp suppressed NF-kappa B through the downregulation of TAK1 in colon epithelial cells. There was no significant difference in the pro-inflammatory cytokine levels between wild-type and Lgals3bp(-/-) mice in a chronic inflammatory state, during colon tumorigenesis. Instead, Lgals3bp(-/-) mice showed elevated levels of GM-CSF, compared to those in WT mice. We also found that GM-CSF promoted the accumulation of myeloid-derived suppressor cells and ultimately increased colon tumorigenesis in Lgals3bp(-/-) mice. Taken together, Lgals3bp plays a critical role in the suppression of colitis and colon tumorigenesis through the downregulation of the TAK1-NF-kappa B-cytokine axis. These findings suggest that LGALS3BP is a novel immunotherapeutic target for colon inflammation and tumorigenesis.