Tumor-associated macrophages promote epithelial–mesenchymal transition and the cancer stem cell properties in triple-negative breast cancer through CCL2/AKT/β-catenin signaling

ABSTRACT:

Background

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a highly aggressive subtype of breast cancer with poor prognosis and limited treatment. As a major component of the tumor microenvironment, tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) play an important role in facilitating the aggressive behavior of TNBC. This study aimed to explore the novel mechanism of TAMs in the regulation of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cancer stem cell (CSC) properties in TNBC.

Methods

Expression of the M2-like macrophage marker CD163 was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in human breast cancer tissues. The phenotype of M2 macrophages polarized from Tohoku-Hospital-Pediatrics-1 (THP1) cells was verified by flow cytometry. Transwell assays, wound healing assays, western blotting, flow cytomet

SUBMITTER: Chen X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9205034 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature