MicroRNAs in tumor immunity: functional regulation in tumor-associated macrophages / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are the most abundant immune cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME) and are critical for cancer initiation and progression. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) could notably influence the phenotype of TAMs through various targets and signal pathways during cancer progression due to their post-transcriptional regulation. In this review, we discuss mainly the regulatory function of miRNAs on macrophage differentiation, functional polarization, and cellular crosstalk. Firstly, during the generation process, miRNAs take part in the differentiation from myeloid cells to mature macrophages, and this maturation process directly influences their recruitment into the TME, attracted by tumor cells. Secondly, macrophages in the TME can be either tumor-promoting or tumor-suppressing, depending on their functional polarization. Large numbers of miRNAs can influence the polarization of macrophages, which is crucial for tumor progression, including tumor cell invasion, intravasation, extravasation, and premetastatic site formation. Thirdly, crosstalk between tumor cells and macrophages is essential for TME formation and tumor progression, and miRNAs can be the mediator of communication in different forms, especially when encapsulated in microvesicles or exosomes. We also assess the potential value of certain macrophage-related miRNAs (MRMs) as diagnostic and prognostic markers, and discuss the possible development of MRM-based therapies.

MicroRNAs in tumor immunity: functional regulation in tumor-associated macrophages / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are the most abundant immune cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME) and are critical for cancer initiation and progression. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) could notably influence the phenotype of TAMs through various targets and signal pathways during cancer progression due to their post-transcriptional regulation. In this review, we discuss mainly the regulatory function of miRNAs on macrophage differentiation, functional polarization, and cellular crosstalk. Firstly, during the generation process, miRNAs take part in the differentiation from myeloid cells to mature macrophages, and this maturation process directly influences their recruitment into the TME, attracted by tumor cells. Secondly, macrophages in the TME can be either tumor-promoting or tumor-suppressing, depending on their functional polarization. Large numbers of miRNAs can influence the polarization of macrophages, which is crucial for tumor progression, including tumor cell invasion, intravasation, extravasation, and premetastatic site formation. Thirdly, crosstalk between tumor cells and macrophages is essential for TME formation and tumor progression, and miRNAs can be the mediator of communication in different forms, especially when encapsulated in microvesicles or exosomes. We also assess the potential value of certain macrophage-related miRNAs (MRMs) as diagnostic and prognostic markers, and discuss the possible development of MRM-based therapies.

Study on the effects of mM-CSF in the functional polarization of macrophages / 白血病·淋巴瘤

Objective To investigate the anti-inflammatory/immune modulatory effects of high-expressing membrane bound M-CSF-hematopoietic malignant cells on macrophages. Methods After coculturing RAW264.7 and murine macrophage cell line with Namalwa-M, a cell line stably expressing mM-CSF, and companing with Nainalwa-V, a cell line stably transfected with the empty vector as the control, flow cytometry was used to detect the expression of the marker of alternatively activated macrophages, CD206, and intracellular expression of IL-10, IL-12, IL-6 and TNF-α to study the immunophenotype of RAW264.7; phagocytic assays to investigate their functional activity in vitro. Results RAW264.7 cocultured with Namalwa-M consistently showed high-level expression of CD206, which indicated activities of these macrophage cells were increased. Furthermore, these RAW264.7 expressing high levels of IL-10, TNF-a and low levels of IL-12, IL-6, as determined by intracellular staining were suggested that the phagocytic activity was increased. Functionally, RAW264.7 cocultured with Namalwa-M showed a higher level of phagocytic activity. Conclusion Macrophage generated in vitro after cocultured with mM-CSF-expressing hematopoietic malignant cell line could be transformed into abnormal macrophage with an immunophenotype defined as IL-10-high, IL-12-low, IL-6-low and TNF-α-high.