Interstitial flow promotes macrophage polarization toward an M2 phenotype.

ABSTRACT: Tumor tissues are characterized by an elevated interstitial fluid flow from the tumor to the surrounding stroma. Macrophages in the tumor microenvironment are key contributors to tumor progression. While it is well established that chemical stimuli within the tumor tissues can alter macrophage behaviors, the effects of mechanical stimuli, especially the flow of interstitial fluid in the tumor microenvironment, on macrophage phenotypes have not been explored. Here, we used three-dimensional biomimetic models to reveal that macrophages can sense and respond to pathophysiological levels of interstitial fluid flow reported in tumors (∼3 µm/s). Specifically, interstitial flow (IF) polarizes macrophages toward an M2-like phenotype via integrin/Src-mediated mechanotransduction pathways involving

SUBMITTER: Li R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6232969 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature