Macrophage polarization in pancreatic carcinoma: role of heparanase enzyme.

ABSTRACT: Tumor microenvironment, and particularly tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), represent a key contributing factor in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) pathogenesis. Here we report that heparanase (predominant enzyme degrading heparan sulfate, the main polysaccharide found at the cell surface and extracellular matrix) directs tumor-promoting behavior of TAM in PDAC. A mouse model of heparanase-overexpressing pancreatic carcinoma (n = 5 mice/group), tumor-associated macrophages ex vivo, primary wild-type and heparanase-null macrophages, and histological specimens from PDAC patients (n = 16), were analyzed, applying immunostaining, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, cell proliferation, and heparanase activity assays. All statist

SUBMITTER: Hermano E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4334800 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature