MicroRNAs in tumor immunity: functional regulation in tumor-associated macrophages.

MicroRNAs in tumor immunity: functional regulation in tumor-associated macrophages. J Zhejiang Univ Sci B. 2020 Jan.;21(1):12-28 Authors: Chen C, Liu JM, Luo YP Abstract 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 exosom...
Source: J Zhejiang Univ Sci ... - Category: Science Authors: Tags: J Zhejiang Univ Sci B Source Type: research