Methylation in colonic mucosa of UC was correlated with mucosal inflammatory status, suggesting the involvement of methylation due to chronic active inflammation in UC carcinogenesis.

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Adenosine-to-inosine (A-to-I) RNA editing is a recently described epigenetic modification, which is believed to constitute a key oncogenic mechanism in human cancers. However, its functional role in cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) within the tumor microenvironment (TME) and its clinical significance remains unclear. Herein, we systematically analyzed a large cohort of 627 colorectal cancer (CRC) specimens, and investigated the expression pattern of ADAR1 and its biological significance on the antizyme inhibitor 1 (AZIN1) RNA editing levels. Both ADAR1 expression and AZIN1 RNA editing levels were significantly elevated in CRC tissues vs. normal mucosa, and these findings correlated with the increased expression of mesenchymal markers, Vimentin (ρ = 0.44) and Fibroblast activation protein (ρ = 0.38). Intriguingly, ADAR1 expression was specifically upregulated in both cancer cells and fibroblasts from cancerous lesions. Conditioned medium from cancer cells led to induction of ADAR1 expression and activation of AZIN1 RNA editing in fibroblasts (p < 0.05). Additionally, edited AZIN1 enhanced the invasive potential of fibroblasts. In conclusion, we provide novel evidence that hyper-editing of AZIN1 enhances the invasive potential of CAFs within the TME in colon and is an important predictor of tumor invasiveness in CRC.

A 67-year-old Japanese man with neurofibromatosis type 1 underwent right hemicolectomy owing to abscess formation around the cecum. A pathological analysis revealed diffuse intestinal ganglioneuromatosis in the cecum and colon. Colonoscopy performed eight months after hemicolectomy revealed multiple ulcers throughout the colon and rectum. The colorectal ulcers failed to respond to conservative treatment and ultimately required surgical resection. Diffuse ganglioneuromatosis was observed again in the resected specimen. This report illustrates a rare manifestation of diffuse intestinal ganglioneuromatosis in a patient with neurofibromatosis type 1.

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