Identification of M2 macrophage-related genes for establishing a prognostic model in pancreatic cancer: FCGR3A as key gene

Background:Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma(PDAC)has a rich and complex tumor immune microenvironment(TIME).M2 macrophages are among the most extensively infiltrated immune cells in the TIME and are necessary for the growth and migration of cancers.However,the mechanisms and targets mediating M2 macrophage infiltration in pancreatic cancer remain elusive.Methods:The M2 macrophage infiltration score of patients was assessed using the xCell algorithm.Using weighted gene co-expression network analysis(WGCNA),module genes associated with M2 macrophages were identified,and a predictive model was designed.The variations in immunological cell patterns,cancer mutations,and enrichment pathways between the cohorts with the high-and low-risk were examined.Additionally,the expression of FCGR3A and RNASE2,as well as their association with M2 macrophages were evaluated using the HPA,TNMplot,and GEPIA2 databases and verified by tissue immunofluorescence staining.Moreover,in vitro cell experiments were conducted,where FCGR3A was knocked down in pancreatic cancer cells using siRNA to analyze its effects on M2 macrophage infiltration,tumor proliferation,and metastasis.Results:The prognosis of patients in high-risk and low-risk groups was successfully distinguished using a prognostic risk score model of M2 macrophage-related genes(p=0.024).Between the high-and low-risk cohorts,there have been notable variations in immune cell infiltration patterns,tumor mutations,and biological functions.The risk score was linked to the manifestation of prevalent immunological checkpoints,immunological scores,and stroma values(all p<0.05).In vitro experiments and tissue immunofluorescence staining revealed that FCGR3A can promote the infiltration or polarization of M2 macrophages and enhance tumor proliferation and migration.Conclusions:In this study,an M2 macrophage-related pancreatic cancer risk score model was established,and found that FCGR3A was correlated with tumor formation,metastasis,and M2 macrophage infiltration.

Scavenger receptor A-mediated nanoparticles target M1 macrophages for acute liver injury

Acute liver injury(ALI)has an elevated fatality rate due to untimely and ineffective treatment.Although,schisandrin B(SchB)has been extensively used to treat diverse liver diseases,its therapeutic efficacy on ALI was limited due to its high hydrophobicity.Palmitic acid-modified serum albumin(PSA)is not only an effective carrier for hydrophobic drugs,but also has a superb targeting effect via scavenger receptor-A(SR-A)on the M1 macrophages,which are potential therapeutic targets for ALI.Compared with the common macrophage-targeted delivery systems,PSA enables site-specific drug delivery to reduce off-target toxicity.Herein,we prepared SchB-PSA nanoparticles and further assessed their therapeutic effect on ALI.In vitro,compared with human serum albumin encapsulated SchB nanoparticles(SchB-HSA NPs),the SchB-PSA NPs exhibited more potent cytotoxicity on lipopolysaccharide(LPS)stimulated Raw264.7(LAR)cells,and LAR cells took up PSA NPs 8.79 times more than HSA NPs.As expected,the PSA NPs also accumulated more in the liver.Moreover,SchB-PSA NPs dramatically reduced the activation of NF-κB signaling,and significantly relieved inflammatory response and hepatic necrosis.Notably,the high dose of SchB-PSA NPs improved the survival rate in 72 h of ALI mice to 75%.Hence,SchB-PSA NPs are promising to treat ALI.

Are M1 and M2 macrophages Effectual Players in Pathological Conditions?

Pathologic inflammatory conditions are frequently correlated with dynamic alterations through macrophage activation,with classically activated Ml cells associated with promoting and sustaining inflammation and M2 cells implicated in resolving or smoldering chronic inflammation.Inflammation is a common feature of various chronic diseases,and it has direct involvement in the emergence and progression of these conditions.Macrophages participate in an autoregulatory loop characterizing inflammatory process,as they produce a wide range of biologically active mediators that exert either deleterious or beneficial effects during inflammation.Therefore,balancing the ratio of M1/M2 macrophages can help to ameliorate the inflammatory landscape of pathological conditions.This review will explore the role of macrophage polarization in distant pathological inflammatory conditions,such as cancer,autoimmunity,renal inflammation,stroke,and atherosclerosis,while sharing macrophage-driven pathogenesis.

RANKL-induced M1 macrophages are involved in bone formation

The activation of M1 macrophages can be achieved by stimulating them with lipopolysaccharide （LPS） and interferon-γ （IFN-γ）. However, M1 can be found under physiological conditions without any pathological stimuli. This study aimed to understand the involvement of RANKL-induced M1 macrophages in bone formation compared with pathologically induced macrophages. Fischer rats were used to investigate macrophage distribution in normal and injured femoral condyles in vivo. Bone marrow-derived macrophages （BMDMs） were activated with LPS＋IFN-γ and RANKL to achieve M1 activation in vitro. Gene expression related to inflammation, osteoclastogenesis, angiogenesis, and migration was determined by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction （RT-qPCR） and fluorescence-activated cell sorting （FACS）. Tissue macrophages showed distinct expression patterns at different bone regions. RANKL was found in close proximity to inducible nitric oxide synthase-positive （iNOS＋） cells in vivo, suggesting an association between RANKL expression and iNOS＋ cells, especially in trabecular bone. RANKL-induced macrophages showed a different cytokine secretion profile compared with pathologically induced macrophages. Both osteoclasts and M1 macrophages peaked on day 7 during bone healing. RANKL could trigger Ml-like macrophages with properties that were different from those of LPS＋IFN-γ-induced macrophages. These RANKL-activated M1 macrophages were actively involved in bone formation.

Picroside Ⅱ promotes HSC apoptosis and inhibits the cholestatic liver fibrosis in Mdr2^(−/−)mice by polarizing M1 macrophages and balancing immune responses

Liver fibrosis is characterized by chronic inflammatory responses and progressive fibrous scar formation.Macrophages play a central role in the pathogenesis of hepatic fibrosis by reconstructing the immune microenvironment.Picroside Ⅱ(PIC Ⅱ),extracted from Picrorhizae Rhizoma,has demonstrated therapeutic potential for various liver damage.However,the mechanisms by which macrophage polarization initiates immune cascades and contributes to the development of liver fibrosis,and whether this process can be influenced by PIC Ⅱ,remain unclear.In the current study,RNA sequencing and multiple molecular approaches were utilized to explore the underlying mechanisms of PIC Ⅱ against liver fibrosis in multidrug-resistance protein 2 knockout(Mdr2^(−/−))mice.Our findings indicate that PIC Ⅱ activates M1-polarized macrophages to recruit natural killer cells(NK cells),potentially via the CXCL16-CXCR6 axis.Additionally,PIC Ⅱ promotes the apoptosis of activated hepatic stellate cells(aHSCs)and enhances the cytotoxic effects of NK cells,while also reducing the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps(NETs).Notably,the anti-hepatic fibrosis effects associated with PIC Ⅱ were largely reversed by macrophage depletion in Mdr2^(−/−)mice.Collectively,our research suggests that PIC Ⅱ is a potential candidate for halting the progression of liver fibrosis.

Calculus bovis inhibits M2 tumor-associated macrophage polarization via Wnt/β-catenin pathway modulation to suppress liver cancer

BACKGROUND Calculus bovis(CB),used in traditional Chinese medicine,exhibits anti-tumor effects in various cancer models.It also constitutes an integral component of a compound formulation known as Pien Tze Huang,which is indicated for the treatment of liver cancer.However,its impact on the liver cancer tumor microenvironment,particularly on tumor-associated macrophages(TAMs),is not well understood.AIM To elucidate the anti-liver cancer effect of CB by inhibiting M2-TAM polarization via Wnt/β-catenin pathway modulation.METHODS This study identified the active components of CB using UPLC-Q-TOF-MS,evaluated its anti-neoplastic effects in a nude mouse model,and elucidated the underlying mechanisms via network pharmacology,transcriptomics,and molecular docking.In vitro assays were used to investigate the effects of CB-containing serum on HepG2 cells and M2-TAMs,and Wnt pathway modulation was validated by real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis.RESULTS This study identified 22 active components in CB,11 of which were detected in the bloodstream.Preclinical investigations have demonstrated the ability of CB to effectively inhibit liver tumor growth.An integrated approach employing network pharmacology,transcriptomics,and molecular docking implicated the Wnt signaling pathway as a target of the antineoplastic activity of CB by suppressing M2-TAM polarization.In vitro and in vivo experiments further confirmed that CB significantly hinders M2-TAM polarization and suppresses Wnt/β-catenin pathway activation.The inhibitory effect of CB on M2-TAMs was reversed when treated with the Wnt agonist SKL2001,confirming its pathway specificity.CONCLUSION This study demonstrated that CB mediates inhibition of M2-TAM polarization through the Wnt/β-catenin pathway,contributing to the suppression of liver cancer growth.

Thylakoid engineered M2 macrophage for sonodynamic effect promoted cell therapy of early atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is the most common cause of cardiovascular diseases that contribute to the major morbidity worldwide,but still lacking of effective treatment strategy.Here,a hybrid cell is constructed for the sonodynamic effect promoted cell therapy of early atherosclerosis by fusing M2 macrophages with thylakoid(TK)membranes.After systemic administration,the obtained TK-M2 actively accumulates in the early atherosclerotic plaques,wherein M2 macrophages relieve the cholesterol accumulation and the inflammation in the foam cells.Meanwhile,the TK membranes decorated on the M2 macrophages exhibit both type I and type II sonodynamic effects under ultrasound(US)activation,inducing the direct apoptosis of foam cells.The cooperation of M2 and TK leads to significant outcome in eliminating atherosclerotic plaques without obvious side-effects,providing a new avenue for atherosclerosis treatment.

Inhibition of M2 tumor-associated macrophages polarization by modulating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway as a possible liver cancer therapy method

The problem of liver cancer is becoming increasingly important due to the epi-demic of metabolic diseases and persistent high alcohol consumption.This deter-mines great attention to the development and improvement of methods for early diagnosis and treatment of liver cancer.Huang et al presented a study in the World Journal of Gastroenterology,in which they showed that the use of the traditional Chinese medicine Calculus bovis(CB)can suppress tumor growth in mice by inhibiting M2 tumor-associated macrophages(TAM)through modulating the activity of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway.The interaction of CB components with the Wnt/β-catenin pathway,M2 TAM polarization,and tumor dynamics were studied using network pharmacology,transcriptomics,and molecular docking.It is now generally accepted that the polarization of TAM and the differentiation of the functions of M1 and M2 phagocytes are of great importance for the progression of neoplasms.It is assumed that M2 TAM promote proliferation and migration of tumor cells.Attempts to medicinally influence the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in order to modulate phagocyte polarization now belong to one of the most promising areas of immunotherapy of oncological diseases.Undoubtedly,the work of the Chinese authors deserves attention and further development.

Engineered M2 macrophage-derived extracellular vesicles with platelet membrane fusion for targeted therapy of atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is featured as chronic low-grade inflammation in the arteries,which leads to the formation of plaques rich in lipids.M_(2)macrophage-derived extracellular vesicles(M_(2)EV)have significant potential for anti-atherosclerotic therapy.However,their therapeutic effectiveness has been hindered by their limited targeting capability in vivo.The objective of this study was to create the P-M_(2)EV(platelet membrane-modified M_(2)EV)using the membrane fusion technique in order to imitate the interaction between platelets and macrophages.P-M_(2)EV exhibited excellent physicochemical properties,and microRNA(miRNA)-sequencing revealed that the extrusion process had no detrimental effects on miRNAs carried by the nanocarriers.Remarkably,miR-99a-5p was identified as the miRNA with the highest expression level,which targeted the mRNA of Homeobox A1(HOXA1)and effectively suppressed the formation of foam cells in vitro.In an atherosclerotic low-density lipoprotein receptor-deficient(Ldlr^(-/-))mouse model,the intravenous injection of P-M_(2)EV showed enhanced targeting and greater infiltration into atherosclerotic plaques compared to regular extracellular vesicles.Crucially,P-M_(2)EV successfully suppressed the progression of atherosclerosis without causing systemic toxicity.The findings demonstrated a biomimetic platelet-mimic system that holds great promise for the treatment of atherosclerosis in clinical settings.

Correlation of tumor-associated macrophage density and proportion of M2 subtypes with the pathological stage of colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer(CRC)is a prevalent global malignancy with complex prognostic factors.Tumor-associated macrophages(TAMs)have shown paradoxical associations with CRC survival,particularly concerning the M2 subset.AIM We aimed to establish a simplified protocol for quantifying M2-like TAMs and explore their correlation with clinicopathological factors.METHODS A cross-sectional study included histopathological assessment of paraffinembedded tissue blocks obtained from 43 CRC patients.Using CD68 and CD163 immunohistochemistry,we quantified TAMs in tumor stroma and front,focusing on M2 proportion.Demographic,histopathological,and clinical parameters were collected.RESULTS TAM density was significantly higher at the tumor front,with the M2 proportion three times greater in both zones.The tumor front had a higher M2 proportion,which correlated significantly with advanced tumor stage(P=0.04),pathological nodal involvement(P=0.04),and lymphovascular invasion(LVI,P=0.01).However,no significant association was found between the M2 proportion in the tumor stroma and clinicopathological factors.CONCLUSION Our study introduces a simplified protocol for quantifying M2-like TAMs in CRC tissue samples.We demonstrated a significant correlation between an increased M2 proportion at the tumor front and advanced tumor stage,nodal involvement,and LVI.This suggests that M2-like TAMs might serve as potential indicators of disease progression in CRC,warranting further investigation and potential clinical application.

Th17/Treg balance and macrophage polarization ratio in lower extremity arteriosclerosis obliterans

Objective:To explore the balance of peripheral blood T helper 17 cells/regulatory T cell(Th17/Treg)ratio and the polarization ratio of M1 and M2 macrophages in lower extremity arteriosclerosis obliterans(ASO).Methods:A rat model of lower extremity ASO was established,and blood samples from patients with lower extremity ASO before and after surgery were obtained.ELISA was used to detect interleukin 6(IL-6),IL-10,and IL-17.Real-time RCR and Western blot analyses were used to detect Foxp3,IL-6,IL-10,and IL-17 expression.Moreover,flow cytometry was applied to detect the Th17/Treg ratio and M1/M2 ratio.Results:Compared with the control group,the iliac artery wall of ASO rats showed significant hyperplasia,and the concentrations of cholesterol and triglyceride were significantly increased(P<0.01),indicating the successful establishment of ASO.Moreover,the levels of IL-6 and IL-17 in ASO rats were pronouncedly increased(P<0.05),while the IL-10 level was significantly decreased(P<0.05).In addition to increased IL-6 and IL-17 levels,the mRNA and protein levels of Foxp3 and IL-10 in ASO rats were significantly decreased compared with the control group.The Th17/Treg and M1/M2 ratios in the ASO group were markedly increased(P<0.05).These alternations were also observed in ASO patients.After endovascular surgery(such as percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and arterial stenting),all these changes were significantly improved(P<0.05).Conclusions:The Th17/Treg and M1/M2 ratios were significantly increased in ASO,and surgery can effectively improve the balance of Th17/Treg,and reduce the ratio of M1/M2,and the expression of inflammatory factors.

Knockout of C6orf120 in Rats Alleviates Concanavalin A-induced Autoimmune Hepatitis by Regulating Macrophage Polarization

Objective The effect of the functionally unknown gene C6orf120 on autoimmune hepatitis was investigated on C6orf120 knockout rats(C6orf120^(-/-))and THP-1 cells.Method Six–eight-week-old C6orf120^(-/-)and wild-type(WT)SD rats were injected with Con A(16 mg/kg),and euthanized after 24 h.The sera,livers,and spleens were collected.THP-1 cells and the recombinant protein(rC6ORF120)were used to explore the mechanism in vitro.The frequency of M1 and M2 macrophages was analyzed using flow cytometry.Western blotting and PCR were used to detect macrophage polarization-associated factors.Results C6orf120 knockout attenuated Con A-induced autoimmune hepatitis.Flow cytometry indicated that the proportion of CD68^(+)CD86^(+)M1 macrophages from the liver and spleen in the C6orf120^(-/-)rats decreased.C6orf120 knockout induced downregulation of CD86 protein and the mRNA levels of related inflammatory factors TNF-α,IL-1β,and IL-6 in the liver.C6orf120 knockout did not affect the polarization of THP-1 cells.However,rC6ORF120 promoted the THP-1 cells toward CD68^(+)CD80^(+)M1 macrophages and inhibited the CD68^(+)CD206^(+)M2 phenotype.Conclusion C6orf120 knockout alleviates Con A-induced autoimmune hepatitis by inhibiting macrophage polarization toward M1 macrophages and reducing the expression of related inflammatory factors in C6orf120^(-/-)rats.

Growth differentiation factor 11 promotes macrophage polarization towards M2 to attenuate myocardial infarction via inhibiting Notch1 signaling pathway

Background:Myocardial infarctions(MI)is a major threat to human health especially in people exposed to cold environment.The polarization of macrophages towards different functional phenotypes(M1 macrophages and M2 macrophages)is closely related to MI repairment.The growth differentiation factor 11(GDF11)has been reported to play a momentous role in inflammatory associated diseases.In this study,we examined the regulatory role of GDF11 in macrophage polarization and elucidated the underlying mechanisms in MI.Methods:In vivo,the mice model of MI was induced by permanent ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery(LAD),and mice were randomly divided into the sham group,MI group,and MI+GDF11 group.The protective effect of GDF11 on myocardial infarction and its effect on macrophage polarization were verified by echocardiography,triphenyl tetrazolium chloride staining and immunofluorescence staining of heart tissue.In vitro,based on the RAW264.7 cell line,the effect of GDF11 in promoting macrophage polarization toward the M2 type by inhibiting the Notch1 Signaling pathway was validated by qRT-PCR,Western blot,and flow cytometry.Results:We found that GDF11 was significantly downregulated in the cardiac tissue of MI mice.And GDF11 supplementation can improve the cardiac function.Moreover,GDF11 could reduce the proportion of M1 macrophages and increase the accumulation of M2 macrophages in the heart tissue of MI mice.Furthermore,the cardioprotective effect of GDF11 on MI mice was weakened after macrophage clearance.At the cellular level,application of GDF11 could inhibit the expression of M1 macrophage(classically activated macrophage)markers iNOS,interleukin(IL)-1β,and IL-6 in a dose-dependent manner.In contrast,GDF11 significantly increased the level of M2 macrophage markers including IL-10,CD206,arginase 1(Arg1),and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF).Interestingly,GDF11 could promote M1 macrophages polarizing to M2 macrophages.At the molecular level,GDF11 significantly down-regulated the Notch1 signaling pathway,the activation of which has been demonstrated to promote M1 polarization in macrophages.Conclusions:GDF11 promoted macrophage polarization towards M2 to attenuate myocardial infarction via inhibiting Notch1 signaling pathway.

泽泻汤基于PI3K/AKT通路调节巨噬细胞M1/M2极化平衡机制研究

目的:探讨泽泻汤(ZXT)对巨噬细胞M1/M2极化平衡的影响及可能的作用机制。方法:体内使用西式饮食(WD)诱导脂代谢紊乱小鼠模型,体外通过LPS/IL-4诱导RAW264.7细胞M1/M2型巨噬细胞模型,设置空白组、模型组、ZXT组。采用免疫荧光染色观察脂肪组织和RAW264.7细胞M1、M2型巨噬细胞标志物荧光强度;Western blot检测p-AKT、AKT、COX-2蛋白水平;qPCR分析M1、M2型巨噬细胞标志基因mRNA水平;ELISA测定IL-1β、IL-10分泌量;Griess法检测NO含量;Docking分析泽泻、白术活性成分与PI3K蛋白的结合情况。结果:与WD组相比,ZXT组CD11c表达显著减少,CD206表达量显著上调;ZXT逆转了LPS诱导的CD80表达升高,下调M1型巨噬细胞标志基因iNOS等mRNA水平,降低COX-2蛋白表达,抑制IL-1β分泌;ZXT促进IL-4诱导的CD206表达,上调M2型巨噬细胞标志基因Arg-1等mRNA水平及IL-10的分泌;ZXT逆转了LPS引起的NO释放增加;ZXT给药后体内外p-AKT/AKT蛋白水平均上升;Docking结果显示泽泻、白术中多个活性成分可与PI3K蛋白形成氢键稳定结合。结论:泽泻汤调节巨噬细胞M1/M2极化平衡,其作用机制可能与调控PI3K/AKT通路有关。

巨噬细胞M1/M2型极化在不同肝病中的作用研究进展

巨噬细胞具有较强的可塑性与异质性,可针对不同信号刺激发生功能转化,如转化为经典激活M1型(即M1型极化)、选择性激活M2型(即M2型极化)等。巨噬细胞M1/M2型极化的途径较为广泛,涉及核因子-κB(nuclear factor-κB,NF-κB)/丝裂原活化蛋白激酶(mitogen-activated protein kinase,MAPK)信号通路、白细胞介素-4(interleukin-4,IL-4)/信号转导与转录激活因子6(signal transduction and activator of transcription 6,STAT6)信号通路、Notch信号通路、无翼样糖蛋白/β-连环蛋白(Wnt/β-catenin)信号通路等。同时,巨噬细胞M1/M2型极化可不同程度地受到外泌体、代谢物、非编码RNA、电刺激、益生菌等的功能调节,其失衡与不同类型肝病的发生、发展关系密切。该文通过对该极化的作用机制进行梳理,发现巨噬细胞M1型极化在肝组织损伤、炎症反应及纤维化进程中起助推作用,巨噬细胞M2型极化则相反;其中,肝癌作为慢性肝病的晚期阶段,以巨噬细胞M2型极化增强、巨噬细胞M1型极化受损为特征。因此,该文关注巨噬细胞M1/M2型极化在不同类型肝病中的作用,以期能更好地确立巨噬细胞亚群靶向疗法。

Abnormally activated wingless/integrated signaling modulates tumor-associated macrophage polarization and potentially promotes hepatocarcinoma cell growth

In this article,we comment on the article by Huang et al.The urgent development of new therapeutic strategies targeting macrophage polarization is critical in the fight against liver cancer.Tumor-associated macrophages(TAMs),primarily of the M2 subtype,are instrumental in cellular communication within the tumor microenvironment and are influenced by various signaling pathways,including the wingless/integrated(Wnt)pathway.Activation of the Wnt signaling pathway is pivotal in promoting M2 TAMs polarization,which in turn can exacerbate hepatocarcinoma cell proliferation and migration.This manuscript emphasizes the burgeoning significance of the Wnt signaling pathway and M2 TAMs polarization in the pathogenesis and progression of liver cancer,highlighting the potential therapeutic benefits of inhibiting the Wnt pathway.Lastly,we point out areas in Huang et al’s study that require further research,providing guidance and new directions for similar studies.

Anti-tumor efficacy of Calculus bovis: Suppressing liver cancer by targeting tumor-associated macrophages

Despite significant advances in our understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of liver cancer and the availability of novel pharmacotherapies,liver cancer remains the fourth leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide.Tumor relapse,resistance to current anti-cancer drugs,metastasis,and organ toxicity are the major challenges that prevent considerable improvements in patient survival and quality of life.Calculus bovis(CB),an ancient Chinese medicinal drug,has been used to treat various pathologies,including stroke,convulsion,epilepsy,pain,and cancer.In this editorial,we discuss the research findings recently published by Huang et al on the therapeutic effects of CB in inhibiting the development of liver cancer.Utilizing the comprehensive transcriptomic analyses,in vitro experiments,and in vivo studies,the authors demonstrated that CB treatment inhibits the tumor-promoting M2 phenotype of tumor-associated macrophages via downregulating Wnt pathway.While multiple studies have been performed to explore the molecular mechanisms regulated by CB,this study uniquely shows its role in modulating the M2 phenotype of macrophages present within the tumor microenvironment.This study opens new avenues of future investigations aimed at investigating this drug’s efficacy in various mouse models including the effects of combination therapy,and against drug-resistant tumors.

ScRNA-seq reveals the correlation between M2 phenotype of tumorassociated macrophages and lymph node metastasis of breast cancer

The process of lymphatic metastasis was proved to be associated with podoplanin-expressing macrophages in breast cancer(BC).This study aimed to investigate the role of the M2 phenotype of tumor-associated macrophages and mine the key M2 macrophages-related genes for lymph node metastasis in BC.We downloaded the GSE158399 dataset from the Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO)database,which includes transcriptomic profiles of individual cells from primary tumors,negative lymph nodes(NLNs),and positive lymph nodes(PLNs)of breast cancer patients.The cell subsets were identified by clustering analysis after quality control of the scRNA-seq using Seurat.The activation and migration capability of M2 macrophages were evaluated with R package“GSVA”.The key M2 macrophages-related genes were screened from the differential expressed genes(DEGs)and M2 macrophages activation and migration gene sets collected from MSigDB database.Our analysis identified three main cell types in primary tumors,NLNs,and PLNs:basal cells,luminal cells,and immune cell subsets.The further cell type classification of immune cell subsets indicated M2 macrophages accumulation in NLs and PLs.The GSVA enrichment scores for activation and migration capability were increased significantly in M2 macrophages from primary tumors than NLNs and PLNs(pvalue<0.001).Seven M2 macrophages activation-related and 15 M2 macrophages migration-related genes were significantly up-regulated in primary tumors than NLNs and PLNs.The proportion and GSVA enrichment scores for activation and migration of M2 macrophages may be potential markers for lymph node metastasis in breast cancer.Our study demonstrated that twenty-two up-regulated mRNA may be possible therapeutic targets for lymph node metastasis in breast cancer.

巨噬细胞M1/M2型极化对糖尿病视网膜病变进程的影响及相关性分析

目的分析巨噬细胞(Mø)M1/M2型极化对糖尿病视网膜病变(DR)进程的影响,为临床治疗提供参考。方法选取2020年6月至2022年7月南华大学附属第二医院收治的97例DR患者(研究组)及同期105例单纯糖尿病(DM)患者(对照组)为研究对象,比较两组患者临床资料,分析Mø表型检测的诊断价值,以及M1/M2型Mø与炎症因子、血糖水平、氧化应激反应标志物、DR进程的关系。结果研究组患者M1型、M1/M2型Mø占比均大于对照组,M2型Mø占比小于对照组(均P<0.05);M1/M2型Mø>7.275时诊断DM患者发生DR的灵敏度为83.51%,特异度为77.14%,曲线下面积(AUC)为0.8655(P<0.05);研究组患者白细胞介素-4(IL-4)、转化生长因子-β(TGF-β)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)水平均低于对照组,肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)、诱导型一氧化氮合酶(iNOS)、丙二醛(MDA)水平均高于对照组(P<0.05);研究组患者M1/M2型Mø与IL-4、TGF-β、SOD水平均呈负相关,与TNF-α、iNOS、空腹血糖(FBP)、餐后2 h血糖(2 hBP)、MDA水平呈正相关(均P<0.05)。结论DR患者Mø由M2型向M1型极化过程中炎性反应与氧化应激反应加重,升高血糖水平,加速DR的恶性病理发展。

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes reversing the bone formation of bone marrow stromal cells by activating M2 macrophage polarization

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes(MWCNTs)are an excellent bone tissue repair material both in vitro and in vivo.The interactions between MWCNTs and single type of cells of bone tissue,including osteoblasts,bone marrow stromal cells(BMSCs)or osteoclasts,have been extensively studied.However,the interactions between MWCNTs with different types of cells in the bone microenvironment remain elusive.Bone microenvironment is a complex system composed of different types of cells,which have interactions between each other.In this work,the effects of MWCNTs on bone microenvironment were firstly studied by culture of MWCNTs with BMSCs,osteoblasts,osteoclasts,macrophages and vascular endothelial cells,respectively.Then,co-culture systems of macrophages-BMSCs,macrophages-calvaria and macrophages-BMSCs-vascular endothelial cells were treated with MWCNTs,respectively.The osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs and osteoblasts was inhibited when these two types of cells were cultured with MWCNTs,respectively.Strikingly,when co-culture MWCNTs with BMSCs and macrophages,the osteogenesis of BMSCs was promoted by inducing the M2 polymerization of macrophages.Meanwhile,MWCNTs promoted the bone formation in the osteolysis model of calvaria ex vivo.In addition,the formation of osteoclasts was inhibited,and angiogenesis was increased when treated with MWCNTs.This study revealed the inconsistent effects of MWCNTs on single type of bone cells and on the bone microenvironment.The results provided basic research data for the application of MWCNTs in bone tissue repair.