The increased frequency of epithelial to myofibroblast transition during colorectal adenoma-dysplasia-carcinoma sequence

Introduction: The epithelial to myofibroblast transition (EMyT) is fundamental in the building of abnormal stromal microenvironment of colorectal cancer (CRC). The main regulator of EMyT is transforming growth factor (TGF)-β via its receptor (TGF-βRII) activation. During adenoma-dysplasia-carcinoma sequence (ADCS) the enhanced stromal TGF-β level may associate with Toll-like receptor (TLR)-9 activation by increased CRC-originated circulating free DNA motifs. Aims: Our aim was to examine myofibroblast-like differentiation events by detecting the frequency of intrapithelial α-smooth muscle actin (SMA)+/cytokeratin…