Oropharyngeal carcinomas induce circulating monocytes to express a TAM-like pro-tumor expression profile that suppresses T-cell proliferation.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) recruited from circulating monocytes drive tumor-growth and establish an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). Initial events in transition from resting monocytes to TAMs are poorly understood. Here, we report that monocytes from oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) patients and control monocytes treated with OPC-conditioned media (CM) express a repertoire of pro-tumor mediators that is characteristic of TAMs.

Methods

Monocytes were stimulated with OPC cell line CM, analyzed by single-cell RNAseq. Results of select genes were confirmed by qPCR with monocytes and analyzed in OPC tumors vs. clinically normal tissue. OPC spheroids containing control monocytes and T-cells were established, TAM phenotype characterized by flow analy

SUBMITTER: Papayannakos CJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11961958 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature