A Point Mutation R122C in RUNX3 Promotes the Expansion of Isthmus Stem Cells and Inhibits Their Differentiation in the Stomach.

Background & Aims: RUNX transcription factors play pivotal roles in embryonic development and neoplasia. We previously identified the single missense mutation R122C in RUNX3 from human gastric cancer. However, how RUNX3 mutation disrupts stem cell homeostasis and promotes gastric carcinogenesis remained unclear.

Methods: To understand the oncogenic nature of this mutation in vivo, we generated the RUNX3 knock-in mice. Stomach tissues were harvested, followed by histologic and immunofluorescence staining, organoid culture, flow cytometry to isolate gastric corpus isthmus and nonisthmus epithelial cells, and RNA extraction for transcriptomic analysis.

Results: The corpus tissue of RUNX3 homozygous mice showed a precancerous phenotype such as spasmolytic polypeptide-expressing metaplasia. We observed mucous neck cell hyperplasia; massive reduction of pit, parietal, and chief cell populations; as well as a dramatic increase in the number of rapidly proliferating isthmus stem/progenitor cells in the corpus of RUNX3 mice. Transcriptomic analyses of the isolated epithelial cells showed that the cell-cycle-related MYC target gene signature was enriched in the corpus epithelial cells of RUNX3 mice compared with the wild-type corpus. Mechanistically, RUNX3 mutant protein disrupted the regulation of the restriction point where cells decide to enter either a proliferative or quiescent state, thereby driving stem cell expansion and limiting the ability of cells to terminally differentiate.

Conclusions: RUNX3 missense mutation is associated with the continuous cycling of isthmus stem/progenitor cells, maturation arrest, and development of a precancerous state. This work highlights the importance of RUNX3 in the prevention of metaplasia and gastric cancer.