Increased Obesity-Associated Circulating Levels of the Extracellular Matrix Proteins Osteopontin, Chitinase-3 Like-1 and Tenascin C Are Associated with Colon Cancer

Bovine milk osteopontin improved intestinal health of pregnant rats fed a high-fat diet through improving bile acid metabolism

The main purpose of the current study was to investigate the ameliorative effects of bovine milk osteopontin (bmOPN) on the gut dysfunction of pregnant rats fed a high-fat diet (HFD). Bovine milk osteopontin was supplemented at a dose of 6 mg/kg body weight. Bovine milk osteopontin supplementation during pregnancy reduced colonic inflammation of HFD dams, and it also increased the colonic expression of ZO-1 and claudin-4 of HFD dams. Bovine milk osteopontin significantly enriched the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes, whereas it decreased Proteobacteria, Helicobacteraceae, and Desulfovibrionaceae in feces of HFD dams. The levels of isobutyric acid and pentanoic acid in the HFD + bmOPN group were higher than that of the HFD group. Functional predication analysis of microbial genomes revealed that bmOPN supplementation to HFD pregnancies changed 4 Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways including bile acid biosynthesis. Further, bmOPN enriched hepatic taurochenodeoxycholic acid and tauroursodeoxycholic acid plus taurohyodeoxycholic acid in the gut of HFD maternal rats. Our findings suggested that bmOPN improved the gut health of HFD pregnant rats partially through modulating bile acid biosynthesis.

Extracellular matrix remodeling facilitates obesity-associated cancer progression

Obesity, a global public health concern, is an important risk factor for metabolic diseases and several cancers. Fibro-inflammation in adipose tissues (ATs) is tightly associated with the pathologies of obesity; excessive or uncontrolled extracellular matrix (ECM) production in AT has a crucial role in this pathogenesis. The ECM is a critical and functional component of various tissues, providing a mechanical and chemical network of proteins that controls cell survival, development, and tissue repair. The ECM is tightly regulated and dynamically remodeled; this is an important factor for AT expansion and can result in modifications to the physical shape and biological function of AT. Here, we focus on ECM remodeling in AT and how it affects obesity-related cancer progression.

Dermatopontin Influences the Development of Obesity-Associated Colon Cancer by Changes in the Expression of Extracellular Matrix Proteins

Dysfunctional adipose tissue (AT) in the context of obesity leads to chronic inflammation together with an altered extracellular matrix (ECM) remodelling, favouring cancer development and progression. Recently, the influence of dermatopontin (DPT) in AT remodelling and inflammation has been proposed. We aimed to evaluate the role of DPT in the development of obesity-associated colon cancer (CC). Samples obtained from 73 subjects [26 lean (LN) and 47 with obesity (OB)] were used in a case-control study. Enrolled subjects were further subclassified according to the established diagnostic protocol for CC (42 without CC and 31 with CC). In vitro studies in the adenocarcinoma HT-29 cell line were performed to analyse the impact of pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators on the transcript levels of DPT as well as the effect of DPT on ECM remodelling and inflammation. Although obesity increased (p < 0.05) the circulating levels of DPT, its concentrations were significantly decreased (p < 0.05) in patients with CC. Gene expression levels of DPT in the colon from patients with CC were downregulated and, oppositely, a tendency towards increased mRNA levels in visceral AT was found. We further showed that DPT expression levels in HT-29 cells were enhanced (p < 0.05) by inflammatory factors (LPS, TNF-α and TGF-β), whereas the anti-inflammatory IL-4 decreased (p < 0.05) its expression levels. We also demonstrated that DPT upregulated (p < 0.05) the mRNA of key molecules involved in ECM remodelling (COL1A1, COL5A3, TNC and VEGFA) whereas decorin (DCN) expression was downregulated (p < 0.05) in HT-29 cells. Finally, we revealed that the adipocyte-conditioned medium obtained from volunteers with OB enhanced (p < 0.01) the expression of DPT in HT-29 and Caco-2 cells. The decreased circulating and expression levels of DPT in the colon together with the tendency towards increased levels in visceral AT in patients with CC and its influence on the expression of ECM proteins suggest a possible role of DPT in the OB-associated CC.

The Potential Role of Nutrition in Lung Cancer Establishment and Progression

Lung cancer is a devastating disease with a high incidence and low survival rates, so recent studies have focused on analyzing the risk factors that might prevent this disease from developing or have protective/therapeutic effects. Nutrition is an important key factor in the prevention and treatment of lung cancer. Various factors appear to be involved in the development of the latter, such as cigarette smoking or certain external environmental factors. The increase in oxidative stress is therefore an integral part of the carcinogenesis process. The biological role of bioactive factors derived from adipose tissue, mainly adipokines, is implicated in various cancers, and an increasing body of evidence has shown that certain adipocytokines contribute to the development, progression and prognosis of lung cancer. Not all adipokines stimulate tumor growth; in fact, adiponectin inhibits carcinogenesis by regulating both cell growth and the levels of inflammatory cytokines. Adiponectin expression is deregulated in several cancer types. Many nutritional factors have been shown to increase adiponectin levels and therefore could be used as a new therapeutic strategy for combating lung cancer. In addition, foods with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties play a key role in the prevention of many human diseases, including lung cancer. The purpose of this review is to analyze the role of diet in lung cancer in order to recommend dietary habit and lifestyle changes to prevent or treat this pathology.

Decreased Levels of Microfibril-Associated Glycoprotein (MAGP)-1 in Patients with Colon Cancer and Obesity Are Associated with Changes in Extracellular Matrix Remodelling

OBJECTIVE

The protein microfibril-associated glycoprotein (MAGP)-1 constitutes a crucial extracellular matrix protein. We aimed to determine its impact on visceral adipose tissue (VAT) remodelling during obesity-associated colon cancer (CC).

METHODS

Samples obtained from 79 subjects (29 normoponderal (NP) (17 with CC) and 50 patients with obesity (OB) (19 with CC)) were used in the study. Circulating concentrations of MAGP-1 and its gene expression levels (MFAP2) in VAT were analysed. The impact of inflammation-related factors and adipocyte-conditioned media (ACM) on MFAP2 mRNA levels in colon adenocarcinoma HT-29 cells were further analysed. The effects of MAGP-1 in the expression of genes involved in the extracellular matrix (ECM) remodelling and tumorigenesis in HT-29 cells was also explored.

RESULTS

Obesity (p < 0.01) and CC (p < 0.001) significantly decreased MFAP2 gene expression levels in VAT whereas an opposite trend in TGFB1 mRNA levels was observed. Increased mRNA levels of MFAP2 after the stimulation of HT-29 cells with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (p < 0.01) and interleukin (IL)-4 (p < 0.01) together with a downregulation (p < 0.05) after hypoxia mimicked by CoCl₂ treatment was observed. MAGP-1 treatment significantly enhanced the mRNA levels of the ECM-remodelling genes collagen type 6 α3 chain (COL6A3) (p < 0.05), decorin (DCN) (p < 0.01), osteopontin (SPP1) (p < 0.05) and TGFB1 (p < 0.05). Furthermore, MAGP-1 significantly reduced (p < 0.05) the gene expression levels of prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (COX2/PTGS2), a key gene controlling cell proliferation, growth and adhesion in CC. Interestingly, a significant decrease (p < 0.01) in the mRNA levels of MFAP2 in HT-29 cells preincubated with ACM from volunteers with obesity compared with control media was observed. Conclusion: The decreased levels of MAGP-1 in patients with obesity and CC together with its capacity to modulate key genes involved in ECM remodelling and tumorigenesis suggest MAGP-1 as a link between AT excess and obesity-associated CC development.

Chitinases and Chitinase-Like Proteins as Therapeutic Targets in Inflammatory Diseases, with a Special Focus on Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

Chitinases belong to the evolutionarily conserved glycosyl hydrolase family 18 (GH18). They catalyze degradation of chitin to N-acetylglucosamine by hydrolysis of the β-(1-4)-glycosidic bonds. Although mammals do not synthesize chitin, they possess two enzymatically active chitinases, i.e., chitotriosidase (CHIT1) and acidic mammalian chitinase (AMCase), as well as several chitinase-like proteins (YKL-40, YKL-39, oviductin, and stabilin-interacting protein). The latter lack enzymatic activity but still display oligosaccharides-binding ability. The physiologic functions of chitinases are still unclear, but they have been shown to be involved in the pathogenesis of various human fibrotic and inflammatory disorders, particularly those of the lung (idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, sarcoidosis, and asthma) and the gastrointestinal tract (inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) and colon cancer). In this review, we summarize the current knowledge about chitinases, particularly in IBDs, and demonstrate that chitinases can serve as prognostic biomarkers of disease progression. Moreover, we suggest that the inhibition of chitinase activity may be considered as a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of IBDs.

The attentive focus on T cell-mediated autoimmune pathogenesis of psoriasis, lichen planus and vitiligo

T cell-mediated autoimmune skin diseases develop as a result of the aberrant immune response to the skin cells with T cells playing a central role. These chronic inflammatory skin diseases encompass various types including psoriasis, lichen planus and vitiligo. These diseases show similarities in their immune-pathophysiology. In the last decade, immunomodulating agents have been very successful in the management of these diseases thanks to a better understanding of the pathophysiology. In this review, we will discuss the immunopathogenic mechanisms and highlight the role of T lymphocytes in psoriasis, lichen planus and vitiligo. This study could provide new insights into a better understanding of targeted therapeutic pathways and biological therapies.

Multi-omic serum biomarkers for prognosis of disease progression in prostate cancer

Background

Predicting the clinical course of prostate cancer is challenging due to the wide biological spectrum of the disease. The objective of our study was to identify prostate cancer prognostic markers in patients ‘sera using a multi-omics discovery platform.

Methods

Pre-surgical serum samples collected from a longitudinal, racially diverse, prostate cancer patient cohort (N = 382) were examined. Linear Regression and Bayesian computational approaches integrated with multi-omics, were used to select markers to predict biochemical recurrence (BCR). BCR-free survival was modeled using unadjusted Kaplan–Meier estimation curves and multivariable Cox proportional hazards analysis, adjusted for key pathologic variables. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve statistics were used to examine the predictive value of markers in discriminating BCR events from non-events. The findings were further validated by creating a training set (N = 267) and testing set (N = 115) from the cohort.

Results

Among 382 patients, 72 (19%) experienced a BCR event in a median follow-up time of 6.9 years. Two proteins—Tenascin C (TNC) and Apolipoprotein A1V (Apo-AIV), one metabolite—1-Methyladenosine (1-MA) and one phospholipid molecular species phosphatidic acid (PA) 18:0-22:0 showed a cumulative predictive performance of AUC = 0.78 [OR (95% CI) = 6.56 (2.98–14.40), P < 0.05], in differentiating patients with and without BCR event. In the validation set all four metabolites consistently reproduced an equivalent performance with high negative predictive value (NPV; > 80%) for BCR. The combination of pTstage and Gleason score with the analytes, further increased the sensitivity [AUC = 0.89, 95% (CI) = 4.45–32.05, P < 0.05], with an increased NPV (0.96) and OR (12.4) for BCR. The panel of markers combined with the pathological parameters demonstrated a more accurate prediction of BCR than the pathological parameters alone in prostate cancer.

Conclusions

In this study, a panel of serum analytes were identified that complemented pathologic patient features in predicting prostate cancer progression. This panel offers a new opportunity to complement current prognostic markers and to monitor the potential impact of primary treatment versus surveillance on patient oncological outcome.

Reversal of obesity and liver steatosis in mice via inhibition of aryl hydrocarbon receptor and altered gene expression of CYP1B1, PPARα, SCD1, and osteopontin

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Obesity is a global epidemic and the underlying basis for numerous comorbidities. We report that the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) plays a key role in the metabolism of obesity. The AHR is a promiscuous, ligand-activated nuclear receptor primarily known for regulating genes involved in xenobiotic metabolism and T cell polarization. The aims of the work reported here were to understand the underlying mechanism of AHR-based obesity and to determine whether inhibition of AHR activity would reverse obesity.

METHODS

Mice were fed control (low fat) and Western (high fat) diets with and without the AHR antagonist alpha-naphthoflavone (aNF). Gene expression of identified AHR-regulated genes from liver and adipose tissue was characterized. To determine the role of the AHR in obesity reversal, selected mice in control and Western diet regimens were switched at midpoint to the respective control and Western diets containing aNF, and the identified AHR-regulated genes characterized.

RESULTS

AHR inhibition prevented obesity in mice on a 40-week diet regimen. The likely AHR-regulated and cross-regulated downstream effectors of AHR-based obesity were shown to be CYP1B1, PPARα-target genes, SCD1, and SPP1 (osteopontin). Western diet caused an increase of mRNA and protein expression of the Cyp1b1, Scd1, and Spp1, and PPARα-target genes in the liver, and inhibition of the AHR maintained expression of these genes near control levels. The body weight of obese mice on Western diet switched to Western diet containing aNF decreased to that of mice on control diet concurrently with a reduction in the expression of liver CYP1B1, PPARα-target genes, SCD1, and SPP1. AHR inhibition prevented hypertrophy and hyperplasia in visceral adipose tissue and limited expression levels of CYP1B1 and SPP1 to that of mice on control diet.

CONCLUSIONS

AHR inhibition prevents and reverses obesity by likely reducing liver expression of the Cyp1b1, Scd1, Spp1, and PPARα-target genes; and the AHR is a potentially potent therapeutic target for the treatment and prevention of obesity and linked diseases.

A review on the role of M2 macrophages in bladder cancer; pathophysiology and targeting

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) which are often referred to as immunosuppressive cells (M2 macrophage), constitute a subset of tumor microenvironment cells and affect tumor progression in solid tumors. Recently, these cells have gained remarkable importance as therapeutic candidates for solid tumors. In bladder cancer, major studies have focused on evaluating TAMs in response to Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) therapy. M2 macrophages may directly impact the BCG-induced immune responses against tumor in bladder cancer. They are the main inhibitors of the tumor microenvironment that promotes growth and metastasis of the tumor. However, the clinical significance of M2 macrophages in bladder cancer is controversial. In this review, we will discuss the clinical significance of M2 macrophages in prognosis of bladder cancer as well as worth of their potential targeting in bladder cancer treatment. In the following, we will introduce important factors resulting in M2 macrophage promotion and also experimental therapeutic agents that may cause the inhibition of bladder cancer tumor growth.

Roles of chitinase 3-like 1 in the development of cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and inflammatory diseases

Chitinase 3-like 1 (CHI3L1) is a secreted glycoprotein that mediates inflammation, macrophage polarization, apoptosis, and carcinogenesis. The expression of CHI3L1 is strongly increased by various inflammatory and immunological conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, and several cancers. However, its physiological and pathophysiological roles in the development of cancer and neurodegenerative and inflammatory diseases remain unclear. Several studies have reported that CHI3L1 promotes cancer proliferation, inflammatory cytokine production, and microglial activation, and that multiple receptors, such as advanced glycation end product, syndecan-1/αVβ3, and IL-13Rα2, are involved. In addition, the pro-inflammatory action of CHI3L1 may be mediated via the protein kinase B and phosphoinositide-3 signaling pathways and responses to various pro-inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, and interferon-γ. Therefore, CHI3L1 could contribute to a vast array of inflammatory diseases. In this article, we review recent findings regarding the roles of CHI3L1 and suggest therapeutic approaches targeting CHI3L1 in the development of cancers, neurodegenerative diseases, and inflammatory diseases.

Tributyrin in Inflammation: Does White Adipose Tissue Affect Colorectal Cancer?

Colorectal cancer affects the large intestine, leading to loss of white adipose tissue (WAT) and alterations in adipokine secretion. Lower incidence of colorectal cancer is associated with increased fibre intake. Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) are fibres that increase production of butyrate by the intestinal microbiota. Tributyrin, a prodrug of butyric acid, exerts beneficial anti-inflammatory effects on colorectal cancer. Our aim was to characterise the effects of diets rich in FOS and tributyrin within the context of a colon carcinogenesis model, and characterise possible support of tumorigenesis by WAT. C57/BL6 male mice were divided into four groups: a control group (CT) fed with chow diet and three colon carcinogenesis-induced groups fed either with chow diet (CA), tributyrin-supplemented diet (BUT), or with FOS-supplemented diet. Colon carcinogenesis decreased adipose mass in subcutaneous, epididymal, and retroperitoneal tissues, while also reducing serum glucose and leptin concentrations. However, it did not alter the concentrations of adiponectin, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF)-α in WAT. Additionally, the supplements did not revert the colon cancer affected parameters. The BUT group exhibited even higher glucose tolerance and levels of IL-6, VEGF, and TNF-α in WAT. To conclude our study, FOS and butyrate supplements were not beneficial. In addition, butyrate worsened adipose tissue inflammation.

NLRP3 Inflammasome: A Possible Link Between Obesity-Associated Low-Grade Chronic Inflammation and Colorectal Cancer Development

Emerging evidence reveals that adipose tissue-associated inflammation is a main mechanism whereby obesity promotes colorectal cancer risk and progression. Increased inflammasome activity in adipose tissue has been proposed as an important mediator of obesity-induced inflammation and insulin resistance development. Chronic inflammation in tumor microenvironments has a great impact on tumor development and immunity, representing a key factor in the response to therapy. In this context, the inflammasomes, main components of the innate immune system, play an important role in cancer development showing tumor promoting or tumor suppressive actions depending on the type of tumor, the specific inflammasome involved, and the downstream effector molecules. The inflammasomes are large multiprotein complexes with the capacity to regulate the activation of caspase-1. In turn, caspase-1 enhances the proteolytic cleavage and the secretion of the inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18, leading to infiltration of more immune cells and resulting in the generation and maintenance of an inflammatory microenvironment surrounding cancer cells. The inflammasomes also regulate pyroptosis, a rapid and inflammation-associated form of cell death. Recent studies indicate that the inflammasomes can be activated by fatty acids and high glucose levels linking metabolic danger signals to the activation of inflammation and cancer development. These data suggest that activation of the inflammasomes may represent a crucial step in the obesity-associated cancer development. This review will also focus on the potential of inflammasome-activated pathways to develop new therapeutic strategies for the prevention and treatment of obesity-associated colorectal cancer development.

Adipokine dysregulation and adipose tissue inflammation in human obesity

Obesity, a worldwide epidemic, confers increased risk for multiple serious conditions, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and cancer. Adipose tissue is considered one of the largest endocrine organs in the body as well as an active tissue for cellular reactions and metabolic homeostasis rather than an inert tissue for energy storage. The functional pleiotropism of adipose tissue relies on its ability to synthesize and release a large number of hormones, cytokines, extracellular matrix proteins and growth and vasoactive factors, collectively termed adipokines that influence a variety of physiological and pathophysiological processes. In the obese state, excessive visceral fat accumulation causes adipose tissue dysfunctionality that strongly contributes to the onset of obesity-related comorbidities. The mechanisms underlying adipose tissue dysfunction include adipocyte hypertrophy and hyperplasia, increased inflammation, impaired extracellular matrix remodelling and fibrosis together with an altered secretion of adipokines. This review describes how adipose tissue becomes inflamed in obesity and summarizes key players and molecular mechanisms involved in adipose inflammation.

Involvement of the leptin-adiponectin axis in inflammation and oxidative stress in the metabolic syndrome

The aim of the present work was to study whether the leptin-adiponectin axis may have a pathophysiological role in the increased systemic inflammation and oxidative stress observed in patients with the metabolic syndrome (MS). Leptin, adiponectin, and markers of inflammation and oxidative stress were measured in a sample of 140 Caucasian subjects (74 males/66 females), aged 28-82 years, 60 with and 80 without the MS. Total concentrations of adiponectin as well as its multimeric forms HMW, MMW and LMW were significantly lower in individuals with the MS. The ratio adiponectin/leptin, a marker of dysfunctional adipose tissue, was dramatically decreased in the MS group. Systemic oxidative stress, as evidenced by levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), as well as markers of inflammation such as serum amyloid A (SAA), C-reactive protein (CRP) and osteopontin were significantly increased in subjects with the MS. Total adiponectin concentrations were negatively correlated with levels of TBARS and CRP levels. Furthermore, the ratio adiponectin/leptin was negatively correlated with SAA concentrations as well as with CRP levels. We concluded that a dysfunctional adipose tissue as suggested by a low adiponectin/leptin ratio may contribute to the increased oxidative stress and inflammation, hallmarks of the MS.

IL-32α-induced inflammation constitutes a link between obesity and colon cancer

Growing evidence indicates that adipose tissue inflammation is an important mechanism whereby obesity promotes cancer risk and progression. Since IL-32 is an important inflammatory and remodeling factor in obesity and is also related to colon cancer (CC) development, the aim of this study was to explore whether IL-32 could function as an inflammatory factor in human obesity-associated CC promoting a microenvironment favorable for tumor growth. Samples obtained from 84 subjects [27 lean (LN) and 57 obese (OB)] were used in the study. Enrolled subjects were further subclassified according to the established diagnostic protocol for CC (49 without CC and 35 with CC). We show, for the first time, that obesity (p = 0.009) and CC (p = 0.026) increase circulating concentrations of IL-32α. Consistently, we further showed that gene (p < 0.05) and protein (p < 0.01) expression levels of IL-32α were upregulated in VAT from obese patients with CC. Additionally, we revealed that IL32 expression levels are enhanced by hypoxia and inflammation-related factors in HT-29 CC cells as well as that IL-32α is involved in the upregulation of inflammation (IL8, TNF, and CCL2) and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling (SPP1 and MMP9) genes in HT-29 cancer cells. Additionally, we also demonstrate that the adipocyte-conditioned medium obtained from obese patients stimulates (p < 0.05) the expression of IL32 in human CC cells. These findings provide evidence of the potential involvement of IL-32 in the development of obesity-associated CC as a pro-inflammatory and ECM remodeling cytokine.

Osteopontin Deficiency Suppresses Intestinal Tumor Development in Apc-Deficient Min Mice

Osteopontin (OPN) is a secreted phosphoglycoprotein, and is a transcriptional target of aberrant Wnt signaling. OPN is upregulated in human colon cancers, and is suggested to enhance cancer progression. In this study, the effect of deficiency of OPN on intestinal tumor development in Apc-deficient Min mice was investigated. At 16 weeks of age, the number of small intestinal polyps in Min/OPN(+/−) and Min/OPN(−/−) mice was lower than that of Min/OPN(+/+) mice. Colorectal tumor incidences and multiplicities in Min/OPN(+/−) and Min/OPN(−/−) mice were significantly lower than those in Min/OPN(+/+) mice, being 48% and 0.6 ± 0.8, 50% and 0.8 ± 0.9 vs. 80% and 1.6 ± 1.7, respectively. OPN expression in colorectal tumors was strongly upregulated in Min/OPN(+/+) compared to adjacent non-tumor parts, but was decreased in Min/OPN(+/−) and not detected in Min/OPN(−/−). Targets of OPN, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs)-3, -9, and -13 were lowered by OPN deficiency. Macrophage marker F4/80 in colorectal tumors was also lowered by OPN deficiency. MMP-9 expression was observed in tumor cells and tumor-infiltrating neutrophils. These results indicate that induction of OPN by aberrant Wnt signaling could enhance colorectal tumor development in part by upregulation of MMP-3, -9, and -13 and infiltration of macrophage and neutrophils. Suppression of OPN expression could contribute to tumor prevention, but complete deficiency of OPN may cause some adverse effects.

The Promoting Effect of the Extracellular Matrix Peptide TNIIIA2 Derived from Tenascin-C in Colon Cancer Cell Infiltration

The extracellular matrix (ECM) molecule tenascin C (TNC) is known to be highly expressed under various pathological conditions such as inflammation and cancer. It has been reported that the expression of TNC is correlated with the malignant potential of cancer. In our laboratory, it was found that the peptide derived from the alternative splicing domain A2 in TNC, termed TNIIIA2, has been shown to influence a variety of cellular processes, such as survival, proliferation, migration, and differentiation. In this study, we investigated the effect of TNC/TNIIIA2 on the invasion and metastasis of colon cancer cells, Colon26-M3.1, or PMF-Ko14, using an in vitro and in vivo experimental system. The degree of cell invasion was increased by the addition of TNC and TNIIIA2 in a dose-dependent manner. The invasion by TNC and TNIIIA2 were suppressed by an MMP inhibitor or TNIIIA2-blocking antibody. In an in vivo experiment, pulmonary metastasis was promoted conspicuously by the addition of TNIIIA2. In this study, we found that colon cancer cell invasion and metastasis was accelerated by TNC/TNIIIA2 via MMP induction. This result suggests the possibility of a new strategy targeting TNC/TNIIIA2 for colon cancer.