Tumor-associated macrophages promote pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma progression by inducing epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition.

ABSTRACT: In this study, we investigated the role of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in the progression of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). PDAC patients with higher levels of CD68⁺ TAMs exhibited shorter overall survival. In Transwell assays, PDAC cells incubated with TAMs or conditioned media from TAM cells (TAM-CM) showed higher migration and invasion rates than controls. PET/CT scan analysis of orthotopic PDAC model mice revealed greater primary tumor growth and liver metastasis in the TAM-CM treatment group than the controls. H&E staining of liver tissues showed significantly higher numbers of metastatic nodules in the TAM-CM treatment group. Heat inactivation of TAM-CM significantly reduced Transwell migration by PDAC cells, suggesting the involvement of one or more secr

SUBMITTER: Xiong C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7906203 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature