Macrophages Interaction and MicroRNA Interplay in the Modulation of Cancer Development and Metastasis

Abstract

Advancement in cancer research has shown that the tumor microenvironment plays a crucial role in the installation, progression, and dissemination of cancer cells. Among the heterogeneous panel of cells within the malignant microenvironment are tumor-associated macrophages that are sustaining the malignant cells through strict feedback mechanisms and spatial distribution. Considering that the presence of metastasis is one of the main feature associated with decreased survival rates among patients, in the present article we briefly present the involvement of tumor-associated macrophages in the hallmarks of metastasis and their microRNA-related regulation with a focus on lung cancer in order to coordinate the vast information under one pathology. As shown, these cells have emerged as coordinators of immunosuppression, angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis, vessel intravasation and extravasation of cancer cells, and premetastatic niche formation, transforming the macrophages in potential therapeutic targets and also prognostic markers according to their density within the tumor and polarization phenotype. An indirect therapeutic approach on tumor-associated macrophages can be also represented by regulation of microRNAs involved in their polarization and implicit oncogenic features. Examples of these microRNAs consist in the highly studied miR-21 and miR-155, but also other microRNA with less feedback in the literature: miR-1207-5p, miR-193b, miR-320a, and others.

Tumor-Associated Macrophages as Multifaceted Regulators of Breast Tumor Growth

“…miRNAs also enact a critical aspect in monocyte differentiation and macrophage polarization. Recently, the position of miRNAs in modulating macrophage behavior in tumor environments and their significance on tumor progression have generated curiosity among scientists [ 109 , 110 , 111 ]. As plasticity is an important characteristic of macrophages, TAMs can be activated in classical (M1) or alternative (M2) pathways, providing divergent regulatory functions in the TME through contrasting intracellular signaling pathways [ 112 ].…”

Ultrasound Methods in the Evaluation of Atherosclerosis: From Pathophysiology to Clinic

“…Next, the migrated monocytes differentiate to tissue macrophages. Macrophages are versatile immune cells with numerous functions [ 12 ] that, in this case, phagocytize and accumulate the OX-LDL through the scavenger receptors (specifically CD36, CD68, A and B1) [ 3 ], a notion that has been well known for decades [ 13 ]. The continuous uptake of OX-LDL in the subendothelial space leads to the formation of foamy macrophages (“foam cells”) and a progressive inhibition of macrophage migration [ 10 ].…”

Performance of Ultrasound Techniques and the Potential of Artificial Intelligence in the Evaluation of Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

“…Moreover, Sonazoid-enhanced US facilitates FLLs characterization, histological grading and guided percutaneous ablation therapy [ 115 , 116 ]. It is well-known that macrophages play an important role in malignancies [ 117 ]; Kupffer cells are specialized macrophages localized within the lumen of the liver sinusoid; the absence of these Kupffer cells in poorly differentiated HCCs usually causes contrast defect, corresponding to hypo-enhancement in the post vascular phase [ 58 ]. Nonetheless, in the Arita study [ 118 ], half of the well differentiated HCCs did not show lacking enhancement in the Kupffer cell phase.…”