# 15-LOX-1 Regulation of Resolving Generation to Modulate Colon Cancer

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF TX MD ANDERSON CAN CTR · 2020 · $250,560

## Abstract

Our long-term goal is to develop novel interventions to prevent colorectal tumorigenesis (CRT). The effects of
fish oil and its omega-3 fatty acid derivatives DHA and EPA on CRT are controversial: some studies show
promotion and others suppression. We found in preliminary studies that fish oil promoted while EPA inhibited
colitis-associated CRT. Whether these differences are applicable to sporadic CRT is unknown. This is clinically
important because DHA and EPA are widely used as dietary supplements and FDA-approved treatments. 15-
lipoxygenase-1 (15-LOX-1) is a critical enzyme for DHA and EPA oxidative metabolism to generate resolvins
and their precursors (e.g., 18-HEPE and RvEs, 17-HDHA and RvEs). 15-LOX-1 and resolvins suppress im-
portant pathways (e.g., TNF-α, IL-1β) that potentiate aberrant Wnt/beta-catenin (Wnt/B-catenin) signaling,
which is a driver of CRT. 15-LOX-1 expression is commonly lost early during human CRT. Whether 15-LOX-1
expression loss reduces resolvin production from DHA and EPA and reduces the effects of DHA and EPA on
CRT is unknown. Our preliminary data show that intestinally targeted 15-LOX-1 expression (15-LOX-1-Gut
mice) enhanced resolvin production, suppressed APC mutation-driven B-catenin activation and CRT, attenuat-
ed DHA-induced CRT promotion, and enhanced EPA-induced CRT suppression. We hypothesize that 15-LOX-
1 expression in colonic epithelial cells is critical for DHA and EPA to generate resolvins and modulate Wnt/B-
catenin signaling and CRT. Aims 1 and 2 will determine the effects of 15-LOX-1 gain (aim 1) and loss of func-
tion (aim 2) in colonic epithelial cells on resolvin generation from DHA and EPA, CRT, and B-catenin signaling.
For aim 1, we will use 15-LOX-1-Gut mice. For aim 2, we will breed mice with intestinal 12-S-LOX transgenic
expression with 12/15-LOX knockout mice to target 12-S-LOX reconstitution to intestinal epithelial cells. In both
aims, mice will be fed control, DHA, or EPA diet and treated with AOM to induce CRT. Groups will be com-
pared for resolvins and their precursors, CRT, cell proliferation and apoptosis, TNF-α, IL-1β, and activated B-
catenin levels, and Wnt/B-catenin target gene (c-Myc, Cyclin D1, Axin2) mRNA levels. We will also evaluate
the effect of 15-LOX-1 gain of function (aim 1) and downregulation (aim 2) in human colonic cancerous and
normal organoids isolated from patients' colonic crypts and cultured with various concentrations of EPA and
DHA on resolvin generation, cell proliferation, cell differentiation, and Wnt/B-catenin signaling. Aim 3 will de-
termine the temporal effects of 15-LOX-1 expression in colonic epithelial cells and in leukocytes on resolvin
generation and CRT. 15-LOX-1 transgenic expression will be targeted to intestinal epithelial cells and induced
at either initiation or progression phases of AOM-induced CRT (subaim 3A) or targeted to leukocytes prior to
AOM-induced CRT (subaim 3B). Mice will be fed DHA or EPA diets and compared for end points des...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9980183
- **Project number:** 5R01CA195686-05
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF TX MD ANDERSON CAN CTR
- **Principal Investigator:** Imad Shureiqi
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $250,560
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2016-08-01 → 2020-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9980183

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9980183, 15-LOX-1 Regulation of Resolving Generation to Modulate Colon Cancer (5R01CA195686-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9980183. Licensed CC0.

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