Journal: Scientific Reports

Article Title: Urolithin A blocks colorectal cancer progression by AKT1 inhibition–driven immune activation

doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-45621-y

Figure Lengend Snippet: Urolithin A suppresses CRC cell proliferation and enhances T-cell activation. (A) Dose–response curves of UA in HCT15, HCT116, MC38, NCM460 and MCEC cells at 48 h and 72 h, with corresponding IC 50 values. The selectivity index (SI = IC 50 normal / IC 50 cancer) is shown for each cell line; (B-C) Effects of increasing concentrations of UA on the viability of CTLL-2 cells and human CD8 + T cells (hCD8 + T) at 48 h; (D) Schematic illustration of T-cell and tumor cell co-culture in the presence of UA; (E-G) Cell viability assays demonstrating that combined treatment with UA (20 or 25 µM) and T cells more effectively suppresses the proliferation of HCT15, HCT116, and MC38 cells compared with UA or T-cell treatment alone; (H) Western blot analysis showing the effects of UA (15, 20 or 25 µM) on the phosphorylation levels of AKT and mTOR in HCT15, HCT116, and MC38 cells, as well as the regulation of p-FOXO1, TCF1, GZMB, and p-AKT in hCD8⁺ T cells and CTLL-2 cells. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant (* P < 0.05, ** P < 0.01, *** P < 0.001).

Article Snippet: Cell lines The colorectal cancer cell lines HCT15, HCT116, and MC38; the colonic epithelial cell line NCM460; and the human and murine lymphocyte cell lines CTLL-2 were obtained from Procell (Wuhan, China), while the murine colonic epithelial cell line MCEC was purchased from the ATCC cell bank.

Techniques: Activation Assay, Co-Culture Assay, Western Blot, Phospho-proteomics

Journal: Scientific Reports

Article Title: Urolithin A blocks colorectal cancer progression by AKT1 inhibition–driven immune activation

doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-45621-y

Figure Lengend Snippet: Urolithin A suppresses CRC proliferation, migration, invasion, and enhances CD8⁺ T-cell infiltration. (A–B) Wound-healing assays and quantification showing that UA(20 μm) combined with lymphocytes (hCD8 + T cells or CTLL-2) markedly inhibits migration of HCT15, HCT116, and MC38 cells at 24 h and 48 h; (C–D) Transwell invasion and migration assays and quantification indicating that UA (20 μm) together with lymphocytes significantly reduces invasion index of HCT15, HCT116, and MC38 cells; (E)Schematic diagram of the MC38 orthotopic colorectal cancer mouse model and treatment regimen with UA (100 mg/kg/day); (F–G) Representative macroscopic images and tumor volume measurements demonstrating that UA treatment inhibits tumor growth; (H) Representative H&E staining of tumors from vehicle- and UA-treated mice; (I) Immunohistochemical staining of Ki67 showing decreased proliferation in UA-treated tumors; (J) Immunohistochemical staining of CD8 revealing enhanced CD8⁺ T-cell infiltration in UA-treated tumors; (K) Quantitative analysis showing that UA lowers the proliferation index and increases CD8⁺ T-cell infiltration in vivo . P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant (* P < 0.05, ** P < 0.01, *** P < 0.001).

Article Snippet: Cell lines The colorectal cancer cell lines HCT15, HCT116, and MC38; the colonic epithelial cell line NCM460; and the human and murine lymphocyte cell lines CTLL-2 were obtained from Procell (Wuhan, China), while the murine colonic epithelial cell line MCEC was purchased from the ATCC cell bank.

Techniques: Migration, Staining, Immunohistochemical staining, In Vivo