Complement inhibitor factor H expressed by breast cancer cells differentiates CD14⁺ human monocytes into immunosuppressive macrophages.

ABSTRACT: Macrophages are a major immune cell type in the tumor microenvironment, where they display a tumor-supporting phenotype. Factor H (FH) is a complement inhibitor that also plays a role in several cellular functions. To date, the phenotype of monocytes stimulated with FH has been unexplored. We discovered that FH is a survival factor for CD14⁺ primary human monocytes, promoting their differentiation into macrophages in serum-free medium. This activity was localized to the C-terminal domains of FH and it was inhibited in plasma, indicating that the phenomenon may be most relevant in tissues. FH-induced macrophages display characteristics of immunosuppressive cells including expression of CD163 and CD206, release of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 and changes in metabolism. Fur

SUBMITTER: Smolag KI 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7453999 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature