Cancer-associated fibroblast-induced lncRNA WARS2-IT1 confers radioresistance of colorectal cancer via enhancing HIF-1α stability

The tumor microenvironment in colorectal cancer (CRC) is marked by a diverse and abundant population of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), which play a crucial role in radioresistance. Nonetheless, the mechanisms through which CAFs contribute to radioresistance remain unclear. In this study, we demonstrate that CAF^R, a specific subset of CAFs derived from radioresistant CRC patients, produces higher levels of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) compared to CAFs isolated from radiosensitive CRC patients. Through long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) profiling of tumor cells treated with CAF-conditioned medium (CAF-CM), we identify WARS2-IT1 (WARS2 intronic transcript 1), whose expression is directly stimulated by TGF-β1 signaling. This lncRNA serves as a key player in promoting radioresistance and is essential for the TGFβ1-induced radioresistance pathway. Mechanistically, WARS2-IT1 interferes with the interaction between prolyl hydroxylase domain 2 (PHD2) and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), preventing the hydroxylation and subsequent degradation of HIF-1α. This process leads to the activation of glycolytic pathways, thereby enhancing radioresistance. Our findings underscore the potential of targeting CAF-driven WARS2-IT1 as a promising strategy to counteract tumor radioresistance in CRC.