IGFBP2 promotes tumor progression by inducing alternative polarization of macrophages in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma through the STAT3 pathway.

ABSTRACT: Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) represent the M2-like phenotype with potent immunosuppressive activity, and play a pro-tumor role in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) biology. In this study, we investigated the role of the insulin-like growth factor binding protein 2 (IGFBP2) as a determinant of TAM polarity. Clinical data revealed that the levels of IGFBP2 correlated with M2 TAMs accumulation and disease progression in human PDAC. In vivo mouse model experiments showed that IGFBP2 promoted an immunosuppressive microenvironment and tumor growth in a macrophage dependent manner. Bioinformatics analysis of PDAC transcriptomes revealed a significant association between IGFBP2 expression and M2 macrophage polarization and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) act

SUBMITTER: Sun L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7923838 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature