A subpopulation of CD146⁺ macrophages enhances antitumor immunity by activating the NLRP3 inflammasome.

ABSTRACT: As one of the main tumor-infiltrating immune cell types, tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) determine the efficacy of immunotherapy. However, limited knowledge about their phenotypically and functionally heterogeneous nature restricts their application in tumor immunotherapy. In this study, we identified a subpopulation of CD146⁺ TAMs that exerted antitumor activity in both human samples and animal models. CD146 expression in TAMs was negatively controlled by STAT3 signaling. Reducing this population of TAMs promoted tumor development by facilitating myeloid-derived suppressor cell recruitment via activation of JNK signaling. Interestingly, CD146 was involved in the NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated activation of macrophages in the tumor microenvironment, partially by inhibiting tran

SUBMITTER: Jing L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10387481 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature