AdipoRon, an Adiponectin Receptor Agonist, Promotes Intestinal Epithelial Differentiation in Caco-2 Colorectal Adenocarcinoma Cells

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains one of the most prevalent and lethal malignancies worldwide. Adiponectin, a hormone secreted by adipose tissue, has been increasingly recognized for its pleiotropic effects in several malignancies. In particular, an inverse association between circulating adiponectin levels and CRC incidence supports a potential protective role for adiponectin and its receptors (AdipoR1, AdipoR2). The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of adiponectin on Caco-2 cells, a human CRC cell line, by examining intestinal epithelial differentiation using AdipoRon (AR), a synthetic adiponectin receptor agonist. Methods: The effects of AR on Caco-2 cells were assessed by evaluating dome formation and the expression of key molecular markers involved in intestinal epithelial differentiation, including KLF-4, DPPIV, SI, and KRT20, at both transcriptional levels using qRT-PCR and at protein levels using immunofluorescence and Western blot analysis. In addition, mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was assessed using MitoSOX™ Red. Results: Our findings showed that AR administration was associated with a dose-dependent increase in AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 expression as well as with dome formation in Caco-2 cells. Furthermore, AR administration reduced Ki-67 expression with no changes in cell cycle and an increase in the differentiation markers DPPIV and SI, while KRT20 remained unchanged. Finally, AR decreased mitochondrial ROS levels during differentiation. Conclusions: Our findings provide new evidence that AR contributes to intestinal epithelial differentiation and may represent a potential therapy for colorectal cancer. AdipoRon may contribute to the regulation of intestinal epithelial differentiation and may contribute to restoring epithelial homeostasis in tumor cells. Further research is needed to clarify the underlying mechanisms and assess the translational relevance of adiponectin-based therapies.