Tumor cell-imposed iron restriction drives immunosuppressive polarization of tumor-associated macrophages.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) are immunosuppressive cells that contribute to impaired anti-cancer immunity. Iron plays a critical role in regulating macrophage function. However, it is still elusive whether it can drive the functional polarization of macrophages in the context of cancer and how tumor cells affect the iron-handing properties of TAM. In this study, using hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) as a study model, we aimed to explore the effect and mechanism of reduced ferrous iron in TAM.

Methods

TAM from HCC patients and mouse HCC tissues were collected to analyze the level of ferrous iron. Quantitative real-time PCR was used to assess M1 or M2 signature genes of macrophages treated with iron chelators. A co-culture system was established to explore the

SUBMITTER: Sun JL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8361643 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature