Gut Microbiota Alteration Influences Colorectal Cancer Metastasis to the Liver by Remodeling the Liver Immune Microenvironment

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study aimed to explore the effect of gut microbiota-regulated Kupffer cells (KCs) on colorectal cancer (CRC) liver metastasis. METHODS: A series of in vivo and in vitro researches were showed to demonstrate the gut microbiota and its possible mechanism in CRC liver metastasis. RESULTS: Fewer liver metastases were identified in the ampicillin-streptomycin-colistin and colistin groups. Increased proportions of Parabacteroides goldsteinii, Bacteroides vulgatus, Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, and Bacteroides uniformis were observed in the colistin group. The significant expansion of KCs was identified in the ampicillin-streptomycin-colistin and colistin groups. B. vulgatus levels were positively correlated with KC levels. More liver metastases were observed in the vancomycin group. An increased abundance of Parabacteroides distasonis and Proteus mirabilis and an obvious reduction of KCs were noted in the vancomycin group. P. mirabilis levels were negatively related to KC levels. The number of liver metastatic nodules was increased in the P. mirabilis group and decreased in the B. vulgatus group. The number of KCs decreased in the P. mirabilis group and increased in the B. vulgatus group. In vitro, as P. mirabilis or B. vulgatus doses increased, there was an opposite effect on KC proliferation in dose- and time-dependent manners. P. mirabilis induced CT26 cell migration by controlling KC proliferation, whereas B. vulgatus prevented this migration. CONCLUSIONS: An increased abundance of P. mirabilis and decreased amount of B. vulgatus play key roles in CRC liver metastasis, which might be related to KC reductions in the liver.