Abnormal glycosylation of MUC20 mediates TAM polarization and promotes immune escape in colorectal cancer

Immune evasion is one of the critical factors contributing to the advanced progression of colorectal cancer (CRC). Our research identified that CRC cells exhibit high expression of the zinc finger protein ZNF30, which transcriptionally activates the expression of the glycosyltransferase B4GALT2. B4GALT2 mediates the N-glycosylation of MUC20, which subsequently interacts with sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectin 7 (Siglec-7) on the surface of macrophages. This interaction induces M2 polarization of the macrophages, thereby promoting immune evasion in CRC and ultimately accelerating malignant progression. In vivo experiments also verified that the ZNF30/B4GALT2/MUC20 axis promotes the growth and metastasis of CRC. The discovery of this regulatory mechanism highlights the critical role of aberrant glycosylation of MUC20 in CRC immune evasion and offers new predictive markers and therapeutic targets for patients with advanced CRC.