Macrophage balance fraction determines the degree of immunosuppression and metastatic ability of breast cancer

• Published in: International immunopharmacology 2021-08, Vol.97, p.107682-107682, Article 107682
• Main Authors: Wang, Chao, Cao, Minghua, Jiang, Xiaoli, Yao, Yudi, Liu, Zhuoqi, Luo, Daya
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anticancer properties; Bioinformatics; Breast - immunology; Breast - pathology; Breast cancer; Breast Neoplasms - genetics; Breast Neoplasms - immunology; Breast Neoplasms - mortality; Breast Neoplasms - pathology; Cell Line, Tumor; Computational Biology; DNA Methylation - immunology; Exosomes; Exosomes - immunology; Female; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic - immunology; Humans; Immune system; Immunosuppression; Indicators; Leukocyte migration; Macrophage balance; Macrophages; Macrophages - immunology; Macrophages - metabolism; Metastases; Metastasis; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Staging; Prognosis; Progression-Free Survival; Tumor Escape; Tumor immunosuppression; Tumor microenvironment; Tumor Microenvironment - genetics; Tumor Microenvironment - immunology; Tumors
• ISSN: 1567-5769; 1878-1705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2021.107682

•Propose and verify the concept of MBF.•Emphasize the impact of macrophage balance on tumor metastasis.•Elevated MBF can be induced by breast cancer-derived exosomes. Macrophages are important immune cells in the tumor microenvironment and can be divided into two polarized subtypes, M1 and M2. M1 type macrophages have anti-tumor effects, while M2 type macrophages have pro-tumor effect. Most of the current researches are limited to the effect of M1 or M2 macrophages on tumors, while ignoring the overall balance of macrophages. Our research suggests that the macrophage balance fraction (MBF) can more effectively and comprehensively reflect the balance of tumor associated macrophages. Using bioinformatics analysis and in vitro experiments, we found that MBF is also an effective indicator of the degree of immunosuppression and metastatic ability of breast cancer, and different MBF environment can impact the migration and invasion ability of breast cancer cells. Finally, we also found that the mechanism of MBF changes in breast cancer may be affected by breast cancer-derived exosomes. In summary, MBF was proposed and validated as a novel indicator of macrophage balance state. Using this indicator, we found that the balance of macrophages can affect the degree of immunosuppression and metastatic ability of breast cancer.