Fig. 1

MSI2 plays a critical role in CRC immunopathology. A Heatmap showing the expression of MSI2 and inflammatory factors in the GSE164191 CRC dataset. B In GEPIA CRC database, Spearman correlation analysis was used to identify positive correlations between MSI2 expression and TNF (R = 0.52), IFNG (R = 0.55), and IL1B (R = 0.22) expression. C The mRNA expression of IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β was measured by qRT–PCR in stable SW620 and LOVO cells in the absence or presence of LPS (10 μg/mL) for 8 h. D Representative IFC and IHC images of Msi2 expression in Msi2^Transgenic and WT mice. Scale bars, 100 μm. E Western blot analysis of Msi2 expression in Msi2^Transgenic and WT mice. F Schematic diagram of the AOM/DSS treatment protocol to induce colitis-associated cancer (CAC). G Representative images of colon and spleen in AOM/DSS induced CAC mice models. Colon (top) and spleen (bottom). Scale bars, 10 mm. H Statistical analysis of colon length and spleen weight in CAC and untreated mice. n = 5. I Representative images of H&E staining of colons from mice with AOM/DSS-induced CAC. The yellow arrows indicate necrotic debris and infiltrated immune cells. Scale bars, 50 μm and 100 μm. J-K Histological inflammation score analysis for CAC mice, n = 5. L-M Statistical analysis of serum cytokines and chemokines in untreated and CAC mice, n = 6. N Heatmap of different cytokines and chemokines levels in serum using Bio-Plex Pro Mouse Cytokine 23-Plex immunoassay from untreated and CAC mice. O The mRNA levels of colonic inflammation-associated genes were measured by qRT–PCR in untreated (n = 5) and CAC mice (n = 6). These results are presented as the mean ± SD values; ns: not significant, *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001, ****p < 0.0001; C, H, M-O unpaired 2-tailed Student’s t test and J Mann–Whitney test