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Su P, Li O, Ke K, Jiang Z, Wu J, Wang Y, Mou Y, Jin W. Targeting tumor‑associated macrophages: Critical players in tumor progression and therapeutic strategies (Review). Int J Oncol 2024; 64:60. [PMID: 38695252 PMCID: PMC11087038 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2024.5648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Tumor‑associated macrophages (TAMs) are essential components of the tumor microenvironment (TME) and display phenotypic heterogeneity and plasticity associated with the stimulation of bioactive molecules within the TME. TAMs predominantly exhibit tumor‑promoting phenotypes involved in tumor progression, such as tumor angiogenesis, metastasis, immunosuppression and resistance to therapies. In addition, TAMs have the potential to regulate the cytotoxic elimination and phagocytosis of cancer cells and interact with other immune cells to engage in the innate and adaptive immune systems. In this context, targeting TAMs has been a popular area of research in cancer therapy, and a comprehensive understanding of the complex role of TAMs in tumor progression and exploration of macrophage‑based therapeutic approaches are essential for future therapeutics against cancers. The present review provided a comprehensive and updated overview of the function of TAMs in tumor progression, summarized recent advances in TAM‑targeting therapeutic strategies and discussed the obstacles and perspectives of TAM‑targeting therapies for cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengfei Su
- Department of General Surgery, Cancer Center, Division of Gastrointestinal and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310000, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310000, P.R. China
| | - Ou Li
- Department of General Surgery, Cancer Center, Division of Gastrointestinal and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310000, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310000, P.R. China
| | - Kun Ke
- Department of General Surgery, Cancer Center, Division of Gastrointestinal and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310000, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310000, P.R. China
| | - Zhichen Jiang
- Department of General Surgery, Cancer Center, Division of Gastrointestinal and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310000, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310000, P.R. China
| | - Jianzhang Wu
- Department of General Surgery, Cancer Center, Division of Gastrointestinal and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310000, P.R. China
| | - Yuanyu Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Cancer Center, Division of Gastrointestinal and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310000, P.R. China
| | - Yiping Mou
- Department of General Surgery, Cancer Center, Division of Gastrointestinal and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310000, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310000, P.R. China
| | - Weiwei Jin
- Department of General Surgery, Cancer Center, Division of Gastrointestinal and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310000, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310000, P.R. China
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Dai Z, Wang Y, Sun N, Zhang C. Characterizing ligand-receptor interactions and unveiling the pro-tumorigenic role of CCL16-CCR1 axis in the microenvironment of hepatocellular carcinoma. Front Immunol 2024; 14:1299953. [PMID: 38274805 PMCID: PMC10808667 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1299953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The heterogeneity of the tumor microenvironment significantly influences the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients, with cell communication through ligand-receptor complexes playing a central role. Methods We conducted single-cell transcriptomic analysis on ten HCC tissues to identify ligand-receptor genes involved in malignant HCC cell communication using CellChat. Leveraging RNA-Seq data from the TCGA Liver Cancer (TCGA-LIHC) and Liver Cancer - RIKEN, JP (LIRI-JP) cohorts, we employed Cox regression analysis to screen for prognosis-related genes. Prognostic risk models were constructed through unsupervised clustering and differential gene expression analysis. Subsequently, a co-culture system involving tumor cells and macrophages was established. A series of experiments, including Transwell assays, immunofluorescence staining, immunoprecipitation, flow cytometry, and immunohistochemistry, were conducted to elucidate the mechanism through which HCC cells recruit macrophages via the CCL16-CCR1 axis. Results Single-cell analysis unveiled significant interactions between malignant HCC cells and macrophages, identifying 76 related ligand-receptor genes. Patients were classified into three subtypes based on the expression patterns of eight prognosis-related ligand-receptor genes. The subtype with the worst prognosis exhibited reduced infiltration of T cell-related immune cells, downregulation of immune checkpoint genes, and increased M2-like tumor-associated macrophage scores. In vitro experiments confirmed the pivotal role of the CCL16-CCR1 axis in the recruitment and M2 polarization of tumor-associated macrophages. Clinical samples demonstrated a significant association between CCL16 protein expression levels and advanced stage, lymph node metastasis, and distant metastasis. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence staining further confirmed the correlation between CCL16 and CCR1, CD68, and CD206, as well as CD68+CCR1+ macrophage infiltration. Conclusions Our study identified molecular subtypes, a prognostic model, and immune microenvironment features based on ligand-receptor interactions in malignant HCC cell communication. Moreover, we revealed the pro-tumorigenic role of HCC cells in recruiting M2-like tumor-associated macrophages through the CCL16-CCR1 axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zongbo Dai
- Hepabobiliary Surgery Department, First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yu Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Anshan Central Hospital, Anshan, China
| | - Ning Sun
- Hepabobiliary Surgery Department, First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Chengshuo Zhang
- Hepabobiliary Surgery Department, First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
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Cersosimo F, Lonardi S, Ulivieri C, Martini P, Morrione A, Vermi W, Giordano A, Giurisato E. CSF-1R in Cancer: More than a Myeloid Cell Receptor. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:282. [PMID: 38254773 PMCID: PMC10814415 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16020282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor (CFS-1R) is a myeloid receptor with a crucial role in monocyte survival and differentiation. Its overexpression is associated with aggressive tumors characterized by an immunosuppressive microenvironment and poor prognosis. CSF-1R ligands, IL-34 and M-CSF, are produced by many cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME), suggesting a key role for the receptor in the crosstalk between tumor, immune and stromal cells in the TME. Recently, CSF-1R expression was reported in the cell membrane of the cancer cells of different solid tumors, capturing the interest of various research groups interested in investigating the role of this receptor in non-myeloid cells. This review summarizes the current data available on the expression and activity of CSF-1R in different tumor types. Notably, CSF-1R+ cancer cells have been shown to produce CSF-1R ligands, indicating that CSF-1R signaling is positively regulated in an autocrine manner in cancer cells. Recent research demonstrated that CSF-1R signaling enhances cell transformation by supporting tumor cell proliferation, invasion, stemness and drug resistance. In addition, this review covers recent therapeutic strategies, including monoclonal antibodies and small-molecule inhibitors, targeting the CSF-1R and designed to block the pro-oncogenic role of CSF-1R in cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Cersosimo
- Department of Biotechnology Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy;
| | - Silvia Lonardi
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25100 Brescia, Italy; (S.L.); (P.M.); (W.V.)
| | - Cristina Ulivieri
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy;
| | - Paolo Martini
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25100 Brescia, Italy; (S.L.); (P.M.); (W.V.)
| | - Andrea Morrione
- Center for Biotechnology, Department of Biology, Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, College of Science and Technology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA;
| | - William Vermi
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25100 Brescia, Italy; (S.L.); (P.M.); (W.V.)
| | - Antonio Giordano
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy;
| | - Emanuele Giurisato
- Department of Biotechnology Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy;
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Skopál A, Ujlaki G, Gerencsér AT, Bankó C, Bacsó Z, Ciruela F, Virág L, Haskó G, Kókai E. Adenosine A 2A Receptor Activation Regulates Niemann-Pick C1 Expression and Localization in Macrophages. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2023; 45:4948-4969. [PMID: 37367064 DOI: 10.3390/cimb45060315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Adenosine plays an important role in modulating immune cell function, particularly T cells and myeloid cells, such as macrophages and dendritic cells. Cell surface adenosine A2A receptors (A2AR) regulate the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, as well as the proliferation, differentiation, and migration of immune cells. In the present study, we expanded the A2AR interactome and provided evidence for the interaction between the receptor and the Niemann-Pick type C intracellular cholesterol transporter 1 (NPC1) protein. The NPC1 protein was identified to interact with the C-terminal tail of A2AR in RAW 264.7 and IPMФ cells by two independent and parallel proteomic approaches. The interaction between the NPC1 protein and the full-length A2AR was further validated in HEK-293 cells that permanently express the receptor and RAW264.7 cells that endogenously express A2AR. A2AR activation reduces the expression of NPC1 mRNA and protein density in LPS-activated mouse IPMФ cells. Additionally, stimulation of A2AR negatively regulates the cell surface expression of NPC1 in LPS-stimulated macrophages. Furthermore, stimulation of A2AR also altered the density of lysosome-associated membrane protein 2 (LAMP2) and early endosome antigen 1 (EEA1), two endosomal markers associated with the NPC1 protein. Collectively, these results suggested a putative A2AR-mediated regulation of NPC1 protein function in macrophages, potentially relevant for the Niemann-Pick type C disease when mutations in NPC1 protein result in the accumulation of cholesterol and other lipids in lysosomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrienn Skopál
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary
- Doctoral School of Molecular Medicine, University of Debrecen, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Gyula Ujlaki
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary
- Doctoral School of Molecular Medicine, University of Debrecen, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Attila Tibor Gerencsér
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Csaba Bankó
- Department of Biophysics and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary
- Doctoral School of Molecular Cell and Immune Biology, University of Debrecen, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Zsolt Bacsó
- Department of Biophysics and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Francisco Ciruela
- Pharmacology Unit, Department of Pathology and Experimental Therapeutics, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08907 Barcelona, Spain
- Neuropharmacology and Pain Group, Neuroscience Program, Bellvitge Institute for Biomedical Research, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08907 Barcelona, Spain
| | - László Virág
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary
- MTA-DE Cell Biology and Signaling Research Group, University of Debrecen, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary
| | - György Haskó
- Department of Anesthesiology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Endre Kókai
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary
- Section of Dental Biochemistry, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Debrecen, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary
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Chen S, Saeed AFUH, Liu Q, Jiang Q, Xu H, Xiao GG, Rao L, Duo Y. Macrophages in immunoregulation and therapeutics. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:207. [PMID: 37211559 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01452-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 172] [Impact Index Per Article: 172.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Macrophages exist in various tissues, several body cavities, and around mucosal surfaces and are a vital part of the innate immune system for host defense against many pathogens and cancers. Macrophages possess binary M1/M2 macrophage polarization settings, which perform a central role in an array of immune tasks via intrinsic signal cascades and, therefore, must be precisely regulated. Many crucial questions about macrophage signaling and immune modulation are yet to be uncovered. In addition, the clinical importance of tumor-associated macrophages is becoming more widely recognized as significant progress has been made in understanding their biology. Moreover, they are an integral part of the tumor microenvironment, playing a part in the regulation of a wide variety of processes including angiogenesis, extracellular matrix transformation, cancer cell proliferation, metastasis, immunosuppression, and resistance to chemotherapeutic and checkpoint blockade immunotherapies. Herein, we discuss immune regulation in macrophage polarization and signaling, mechanical stresses and modulation, metabolic signaling pathways, mitochondrial and transcriptional, and epigenetic regulation. Furthermore, we have broadly extended the understanding of macrophages in extracellular traps and the essential roles of autophagy and aging in regulating macrophage functions. Moreover, we discussed recent advances in macrophages-mediated immune regulation of autoimmune diseases and tumorigenesis. Lastly, we discussed targeted macrophage therapy to portray prospective targets for therapeutic strategies in health and diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanze Chen
- Department of Respiratory Diseases and Critic Care Unit, Shenzhen Institute of Respiratory Disease, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen, 518020, China
| | - Abdullah F U H Saeed
- Department of Cancer Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope National Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, 91010, USA
| | - Quan Liu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Huazhong University of Science and Technology Union Shenzhen Hospital (Nanshan Hospital), Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518052, China
| | - Qiong Jiang
- Department of Respiratory Diseases and Critic Care Unit, Shenzhen Institute of Respiratory Disease, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen, 518020, China
| | - Haizhao Xu
- Department of Respiratory Diseases and Critic Care Unit, Shenzhen Institute of Respiratory Disease, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen, 518020, China
- Department of Respiratory, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Gary Guishan Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Chemical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China.
| | - Lang Rao
- Institute of Biomedical Health Technology and Engineering, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, 518132, China.
| | - Yanhong Duo
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
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From the Catastrophic Objective Irreproducibility of Cancer Research and Unavoidable Failures of Molecular Targeted Therapies to the Sparkling Hope of Supramolecular Targeted Strategies. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032796. [PMID: 36769134 PMCID: PMC9917659 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 01/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The unprecedented non-reproducibility of the results published in the field of cancer research has recently come under the spotlight. In this short review, we try to highlight some general principles in the organization and evolution of cancerous tumors, which objectively lead to their enormous variability and, consequently, the irreproducibility of the results of their investigation. This heterogeneity is also extremely unfavorable for the effective use of molecularly targeted medicine. Against the seemingly comprehensive background of this heterogeneity, we single out two supramolecular characteristics common to all tumors: the clustered nature of tumor interactions with their microenvironment and the formation of biomolecular condensates with tumor-specific distinctive features. We suggest that these features can form the basis of strategies for tumor-specific supramolecular targeted therapies.
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