scholarly journals Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma induced M2-polarized tumor-associated macrophages facilitate tumor growth and invasiveness

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hui Yuan ◽  
Zelong Lin ◽  
Yingjun Liu ◽  
Yuchuan Jiang ◽  
Ke Liu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background M2-polarized tumor-associated macrophages (M2-TAMs) have been shown to correlate with the progression of various cancers, including intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). However, the interactions and mechanism between M2 macrophages and ICC are not completely clear. We aimed to clarify whether M2 macrophages promote the malignancy of ICC and its mechanism. Methods Two progressive murine models of ICC were used to evaluate the alterations in different macrophage populations and phenotypes. Furthermore, we assessed M2 macrophage infiltration in 48 human ICC and 15 normal liver samples. The protumor functions and the underlying molecular mechanisms of M2 macrophages in ICC were investigated in an in vitro coculture system. Results We found that the number of M2 macrophages was significantly higher in ICC tissues than in normal bile ducts in the two murine models. M2 macrophage infiltration was highly increased in peritumoral compared with intratumoral regions and normal liver (p < 0.01). ICC cells induced macrophages to differentiate into the M2-TAM phenotype, and coculture with these M2 macrophages promoted ICC cell proliferation, invasion and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) in vitro. Mechanistically, M2-TAM-derived IL-10 promoted the malignant properties of ICC cells through STAT3 signaling. Furthermore, blockade of IL-10/STAT3 signaling partly rescued the effects of M2 macrophages on ICC. Conclusion Our results indicated that M2-polarized macrophages induced by ICC promote tumor growth and invasiveness through IL-10/STAT3-induced EMT and might be a potential therapeutic target for ICC.

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chi-Shuan Fan ◽  
Li-Li Chen ◽  
Tsu-An Hsu ◽  
Chia-Chi Chen ◽  
Kee Voon Chua ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT) can provide a source of cancer-associated fibroblasts which contribute to desmoplasia of many malignancies including pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). We investigated the clinical relevance of EndoMT in PDAC, and explored its underlying mechanism and therapeutic implication. Methods Expression levels of 29 long non-coding RNAs were analyzed from the cells undergoing EndoMT, and an EndoMT index was proposed to survey its clinical associations in the PDAC patients of The Cancer Genome Atlas database. The observed clinical correlation was further confirmed by a mouse model inoculated with EndoMT cells-involved PDAC cell grafts. In vitro co-culture with EndoMT cells or treatment with the conditioned medium were performed to explore the underlying mechanism. Because secreted HSP90α was involved, anti-HSP90α antibody was evaluated for its inhibitory efficacy against the EndoMT-involved PDAC tumor. Results A combination of low expressions of LOC340340, LOC101927256, and MNX1-AS1 was used as an EndoMT index. The clinical PDAC tissues with positive EndoMT index were significantly correlated with T4-staging and showed positive for M2-macrophage index. Our mouse model and in vitro cell-culture experiments revealed that HSP90α secreted by EndoMT cells could induce macrophage M2-polarization and more HSP90α secretion to promote PDAC tumor growth. Furthermore, anti-HSP90α antibody showed a potent therapeutic efficacy against the EndoMT and M2-macrophages-involved PDAC tumor growth. Conclusions EndoMT cells can secrete HSP90α to harness HSP90α-overproducing M2-type macrophages to promote PDAC tumor growth, and such effect can be targeted and abolished by anti-HSP90α antibody.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
lina qi ◽  
biting zhou ◽  
jiani chen ◽  
kailun xu ◽  
kailai wang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: HOXC6 was the most significantly upregulated gene in right-sided colon cancer (RCC) compared to left-sided colon cancer (LCC) according to our previous study. It is known that RCC has a higher immunogenicity than LCC because much higher prevalence of MSI-H samples, however, the role of HOXC6 acted in MSI-H tumors remains poorly understood. Methods: Expression datasets from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus databases were used to analyze the differential expression and prognostic role of HOXC6 in CRC. ELISA and qRT-PCR were performed to examine the association of HOXC6 and CCL2. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence were performed to evaluate the correlation of HOXC6 and M2 macrophage infiltration. CCK8 and Transwell were used to evaluate the proliferation and migration of tumor cells in vitro.Results: HOXC6 was overexpressed in MSI-H CRC and associated with poor prognosis. Upregulation of CCL2 by HOXC6 could attract more M2 macrophage infiltration. IL6 secreted by M2 macrophages could induce epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of tumor cells by upregulating HOXC6. Overexpression of HOXC6 promoted the migration and invasion of CRC cells in vitro. Finally, inhibition of IL6/JAK pathway using ruxolitinib downregulated HOXC6 and suppressed invasion of HCT116 cells.Conclusion: Our study revealed that overexpression of HOXC6 attracted more M2 macrophage infiltration and the positive crosstalk between M2 macrophages and HOXC6-highly expressed tumor led to EMT and enhanced the migration ability of CRC, which offered a promising therapic target for treatment of MSI-H CRC.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (14) ◽  
pp. 7666
Author(s):  
Sara C. Credendino ◽  
Marta De Menna ◽  
Irene Cantone ◽  
Carmen Moccia ◽  
Matteo Esposito ◽  
...  

Forkhead box E1 (FOXE1) is a lineage-restricted transcription factor involved in thyroid cancer susceptibility. Cancer-associated polymorphisms map in regulatory regions, thus affecting the extent of gene expression. We have recently shown that genetic reduction of FOXE1 dosage modifies multiple thyroid cancer phenotypes. To identify relevant effectors playing roles in thyroid cancer development, here we analyse FOXE1-induced transcriptional alterations in thyroid cells that do not express endogenous FOXE1. Expression of FOXE1 elicits cell migration, while transcriptome analysis reveals that several immune cells-related categories are highly enriched in differentially expressed genes, including several upregulated chemokines involved in macrophage recruitment. Accordingly, FOXE1-expressing cells induce chemotaxis of co-cultured monocytes. We then asked if FOXE1 was able to regulate macrophage infiltration in thyroid cancers in vivo by using a mouse model of cancer, either wild type or with only one functional FOXE1 allele. Expression of the same set of chemokines directly correlates with FOXE1 dosage, and pro-tumourigenic M2 macrophage infiltration is decreased in tumours with reduced FOXE1. These data establish a novel link between FOXE1 and macrophages recruitment in the thyroid cancer microenvironment, highlighting an unsuspected function of this gene in the crosstalk between neoplastic and immune cells that shape tumour development and progression.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Boyang Xu ◽  
Ziqi Peng ◽  
Guanyu Yan ◽  
Ningning Wang ◽  
Moye Chen ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Colon cancer is a kind of malignant tumor with high morbidity and mortality. Researchers have tried to interpret it from different perspectives and divide it into different subtypes in order to achieve individualized treatment. With the rise of immunotherapy, its value in the field of tumor has initially emerged. Based on the above background, from the perspective of immune infiltration, this study classified colon cancer according to the infiltration of M2 macrophages in patients with colon cancer and further explored it.Methods: Cibersort was used to analyze the level of immune cell infiltration in colon cancer patients in the TCGA database. WGCNA, Consensus Clustering analysis, Lasso analysis, and univariate KM analysis were used to screen and verify the hub genes associated with M2 macrophages. PCA was used to establish the M2 macrophage-related score—M2I Score. The correlation between M2I Score and somatic cell variation and microsatellite instability were analysed. Furthermore the correlation between M2 macrophage score and differences in immunotherapy sensitivity was also explored. Results: M2 macrophage infiltration was associated with poor prognosis. Four hub genes (ANKS4B, CTSD, TIMP1, and ZNF703) were selected as the progression-related genes associated with M2 macrophages. A stable and accurate M2I Score for M2 macrophages used in COAD was constructed based on four hub genes. M2I Score was positively correlated with tumor mutation load (TMB). The M2I Score of MSI-H group was higher than that of MSI-L group and MSS group. Combine with the TCIA database, we concluded that patients with a high M2I Score were more sensitive to PD-1 inhibitors and PD-1 inhibitors combined with CTLA-4 inhibitors. The low rating group may have better efficacy without immune checkpoint inhibitors or with CTLA4 inhibitors alone.Conclusion: Four prognostic hub genes associated with M2 macrophages were screened to establish the M2I Score and divided the patients into two subgroups: high M2I Score group and low M2I Score group. TMB, microsatellite instability and sensitivity to immunotherapy were higher in the high-rated group. PD-1 inhibitors or PD-1 combined with CTLA-4 inhibitors are preferred for patients in the high-rated group who are more sensitive to immunotherapy.


Author(s):  
Elissa M Hult ◽  
Stephen James Gurczynski ◽  
Bethany B Moore

Macrophages are critical regulators of pulmonary fibrosis. Their plasticity, proximity, and ability to crosstalk with structural cells of the lung make them a key cell type of interest in the regulation of lung fibrosis. Macrophages can express a variety of phenotypes which have been historically represented through an "M1-like" to "M2-like" delineation. In this classification, M1-like macrophages are proinflammatory and have increased phagocytic capacity compared to alternatively activated M2-like macrophages that are profibrotic and are associated with wound healing. Extensive evidence in the field in both patients and animal models align pulmonary fibrosis with M2 macrophages. In this paper, we performed RNAseq to fully characterize M1 vs. M2-skewed bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) and investigated the profibrotic abilities of M2 BMDM conditioned media (CM) to promote fibroblast migration, proliferation, alveolar epithelial cell (AEC) apoptosis, and mRNA expression of key fibrotic genes in both fibroblasts and in AECs. Although M2 CM-treated fibroblasts had increased migration and M2 CM-treated fibroblasts and AECs had increased expression of profibrotic proteins over M1 CM-treated cells, all differences can be attributed to M2 polarization reagents IL-4 and IL-13 also present in the CM. Collectively, these data suggest that the profibrotic effects associated with M2 macrophage CM in vitro are attributable to effects of polarization cytokines rather than additional factors secreted in response to those polarizing cytokines.


Nanomedicine ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (25) ◽  
pp. 2291-2303
Author(s):  
Neha N Parayath ◽  
Brian V Hong ◽  
Gerardo G Mackenzie ◽  
Mansoor M Amiji

Aim: To investigate a novel strategy to target tumor-associated macrophages and reprogram them to an antitumor phenotype in pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Methods: M2 peptides were conjugated to HA-PEG/HA-PEI polymer to form self-assembled nanoparticles with miR-125b. The efficacy of HA-PEI/PEG-M2peptide nanoparticles in pancreatic tumors from LSL-KrasG12D/+, LSL-Trp53R172H/+, Pdx1-Cre genetically engineered mice was evaluated. Results: In vitro M2 macrophage-specific delivery of targeted nanoformulations was demonstrated. Intraperitoneal administration of M2-targeted nanoparticles showed preferential accumulation in the pancreas of KPC-PDAC mice and an above fourfold increase in the M1-to-M2 macrophage ratio compared with transfection with scrambled miR. Conclusion: M2-targeted HA-PEI/PEG nanoparticles with miR-125b can transfect tumor-associated macrophages in pancreatic tissues and may have implications for PDAC immunotherapy.


2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (Supplement_6) ◽  
pp. vi259-vi259
Author(s):  
Lili Chen ◽  
Ming Li

Abstract Guanylate binding protein 1 (GBP1) is an interferon-inducible large GTPase which plays a key role in tumor development, but the molecular mechanism is poorly understood. Here we investigated whether GBP1 could influence the tumor microenvironment in glioblastoma, the most common and malignant brain tumor. We found that forced expression of GBP1 in glioblastoma cells induced macrophage polarization toward an M2 phenotype via upregulating Chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2). CCL2 acted via its receptor C-C chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2) to enhance macrophage cell migration in vitro. The M2 macrophages in turn promoted glioblastoma cell proliferation and migration. The orthotopic mouse model showed that GBP1 recruited M2 macrophages into tumor to promote glioblastoma progression, and targeting CCL2/CCR2 signaling axis with a small molecule inhibitor RS504393 led to decreased macrophage attraction and M2 polarization and a significant tumor growth retardation and prolonged survival of tumor-bearing mice. Clinically, GBP1 expression positively correlated with M2 macrophage numbers and CCL2 expression in glioblastoma. Taken together, our results reveal that GBP1 modulates the tumor immune microenvironment through CCL2 induction to promote glioblastoma infiltrating growth, and targeting tumor-associated macrophages may represent a new therapeutic strategy against glioblastoma.


Cancers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 128 ◽  
Author(s):  
Taylor T. Chrisikos ◽  
Yifan Zhou ◽  
Haiyan S. Li ◽  
Rachel L. Babcock ◽  
Xianxiu Wan ◽  
...  

Conventional dendritic cells (cDCs) are a critical immune population, composed of multiple subsets, and responsible for controlling adaptive immunity and tolerance. Although migratory type 1 cDCs (CD103+ cDC1s in mice) are necessary to mount CD8+ T cell-mediated anti-tumor immunity, whether and how tumors modulate CD103+ cDC1 function remain understudied. Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3) mediates the intracellular signaling of tumor-associated immunosuppressive cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-10; thus, we hypothesized that STAT3 restrained anti-tumor immune responses elicited by CD103+ cDC1s. Herein, we show that in vitro-derived STAT3-deficient (Stat3∆/∆) CD103+ cDC1s are refractory to the inhibitory effects of IL-10 on Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) agonist-induced maturation responses. In a tumor vaccination approach, we found Stat3∆/∆ CD103+ cDC1s restrained mammary gland tumor growth and increased mouse survival more effectively than STAT3-sufficient CD103+ cDC1s. In addition, vaccination with Stat3∆/∆ CD103+ cDC1s elicited increased amounts of tumor antigen-specific CD8+ T cells and IFN-γ+ CD4+ T cells in tumors and tumor-draining lymph nodes versus phosphate-buffered saline (PBS)-treated animals. Furthermore, IL-10 receptor-deficient CD103+ cDC1s controlled tumor growth to a similar degree as Stat3∆/∆ CD103+ cDC1s. Taken together, our data reveal an inhibitory role for STAT3 in CD103+ cDC1 maturation and regulation of anti-tumor immunity. Our results also suggest IL-10 is a key factor eliciting immunosuppressive STAT3 signaling in CD103+ cDC1s in breast cancer. Thus, inhibition of STAT3 in cDC1s may provide an important strategy to improve their efficacy in tumor vaccination approaches and cDC1-mediated control of anti-tumor immunity.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yohei Kawai ◽  
Yuji Narita ◽  
Aika Yamawaki-Ogata ◽  
Akihiko Usui ◽  
Kimihiro Komori

Background. The pathogenesis of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is characterized by atherosclerosis with chronic inflammation in the aortic wall. Montelukast is a selective cys-LT 1 receptor antagonist that can suppress atherosclerotic diseases. We evaluated the in vitro properties of montelukast and its in vivo activities in an angiotensin II–infused apolipoprotein E–deficient (apoE−/−) AAA mouse model. Methods. The mouse monocyte/macrophage cell line J774A.1 was used in vitro. M1 macrophages were treated with montelukast, and gene expressions of inflammatory cytokines were measured. Macrophages were cultured with montelukast, then gene expressions of arginase-1 and IL (interleukin)-10 were assessed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction, arginase-1 was measured by fluorescence-activated cell sorting, and IL-10 concentration was analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In vivo, one group (Mont, n=7) received oral montelukast (10 mg/kg/day) for 28 days, and the other group (Saline, n=7) was given normal Saline as a control for the same period. Aortic diameters, activities of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), cytokine concentrations, and the number of M2 macrophages were analyzed. Results. Relative to control, montelukast significantly suppressed gene expressions of MMP-2, MMP-9, and IL-1β, induced gene expressions of arginase-1 and IL-10, enhanced the expression of the arginase-1 cell surface protein, and increased the protein concentration of IL-10. In vivo, montelukast significantly decreased aortic expansion (Saline vs Mont; 2.44 ± 0.15 mm vs 1.59 ± 0.20 mm, P<.01), reduced MMP-2 activity (Saline vs Mont; 1240 μM vs 755 μM, P<.05), and induced infiltration of M2 macrophages (Saline vs Mont; 7.51 % vs 14.7 %, P<.05). Conclusion. Montelukast induces M2 macrophage polarization and prevents AAA formation in apoE−/− mice.


2017 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 173-189 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jie Xie ◽  
Thomas J. Jones ◽  
Dongni Feng ◽  
Todd G. Cook ◽  
Andrea A. Jester ◽  
...  

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a potentially lethal disease associated with immune activation-induced aortic degradation. We hypothesized that xenotransplantation of human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs) would reduce aortic inflammation and attenuate expansion in a murine AAA model. Modulatory effects of ADSCs on immune cell subtypes associated with AAA progression were investigated using human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (hPBMNCs) cocultured with ADSCs. Murine AAA was induced through elastase application to the abdominal aorta in C57BL/6 mice. ADSCs were administered intravenously, and aortic changes were determined by ultrasonography and videomicrometry. Circulating monocytes, aortic neutrophils, CD28− T cells, FoxP3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs), and CD206+ M2 macrophages were assessed at multiple terminal time points. In vitro, ADSCs induced M2 macrophage and Treg phenotypes while inhibiting neutrophil transmigration and lymphocyte activation without cellular contact. Intravenous ADSC delivery reduced aneurysmal expansion starting from day 4 [from baseline: 54.8% (saline) vs. 16.9% (ADSCs), n = 10 at baseline, n = 4 at day 4, p < 0.001], and the therapeutic effect persists through day 14 (from baseline: 64.1% saline vs. 24.6% ADSCs, n = 4, p < 0.01). ADSC administration increased aortic Tregs by 20-fold ( n = 5, p < 0.01), while decreasing CD4+CD28− (-28%), CD8+CD28− T cells (-61%), and Ly6G/C+ neutrophils (-43%, n = 5, p < 0.05). Circulating CD115+CXCR1−LY6C+-activated monocytes decreased in the ADSC-treated group by day 7 (-60%, n = 10, p < 0.05), paralleled by an increase in aortic CD206+ M2 macrophages by 2.4-fold ( n = 5, p < 0.05). Intravenously injected ADSCs transiently engrafted in the lung on day 1 without aortic engraftment at any time point. In conclusion, ADSCs exhibit pleiotropic immunomodulatory effects in vitro as well as in vivo during the development of AAA. The temporal evolution of these effects systemically as well as in aortic tissue suggests that ADSCs induce a sequence of anti-inflammatory cellular events mediated by paracrine factors, which leads to amelioration of AAA progression.


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