Int J Biol Sci 2016; 12(12):1533-1543. doi:10.7150/ijbs.15943 This issue Cite

Research Paper

Cyclooxygenase-2 in tumor-associated macrophages promotes metastatic potential of breast cancer cells through Akt pathway

Lu Gan1,2, Zhu Qiu1, Jing Huang1, Yunhai Li1,3, Hongyan Huang1, Tingxiu Xiang1, Jingyuan Wan4, Tianli Hui1, Yong Lin1, Hongzhong Li1,3✉, Guosheng Ren1,3✉

1. Chongqing Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology and Epigenetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China;
2. Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China;
3. Department of Endocrine and Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China;
4. Department of Pharmacology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.

Citation:
Gan L, Qiu Z, Huang J, Li Y, Huang H, Xiang T, Wan J, Hui T, Lin Y, Li H, Ren G. Cyclooxygenase-2 in tumor-associated macrophages promotes metastatic potential of breast cancer cells through Akt pathway. Int J Biol Sci 2016; 12(12):1533-1543. doi:10.7150/ijbs.15943. https://www.ijbs.com/v12p1533.htm
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Abstract

Graphic abstract

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) promote cancer development and progression by releasing various cytokines and chemokines. Previously, we have found that the number of COX-2+ TAMs was associated with lymph node metastasis in breast cancer. However, the mechanism remains enigmatic. In this study, we show that COX-2 in breast TAMs enhances the metastatic potential of breast cancer cells. COX-2 in TAMs induces MMP-9 expression and promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in breast cancer cells. In addition, COX-2/PGE2 induces IL-6 release in macrophages. Furthermore, we find that the activation of Akt pathway in cancer cells is crucial for the pro-metastatic effect of COX-2+ TAMs by regulating MMP-9 and EMT. These findings indicate that TAMs facilitate breast cancer cell metastasis through COX-2-mediated intercellular communication.

Keywords: Tumor microenvironment, macrophages, breast cancer, cyclooxygenase-2.


Citation styles

APA
Gan, L., Qiu, Z., Huang, J., Li, Y., Huang, H., Xiang, T., Wan, J., Hui, T., Lin, Y., Li, H., Ren, G. (2016). Cyclooxygenase-2 in tumor-associated macrophages promotes metastatic potential of breast cancer cells through Akt pathway. International Journal of Biological Sciences, 12(12), 1533-1543. https://doi.org/10.7150/ijbs.15943.

ACS
Gan, L.; Qiu, Z.; Huang, J.; Li, Y.; Huang, H.; Xiang, T.; Wan, J.; Hui, T.; Lin, Y.; Li, H.; Ren, G. Cyclooxygenase-2 in tumor-associated macrophages promotes metastatic potential of breast cancer cells through Akt pathway. Int. J. Biol. Sci. 2016, 12 (12), 1533-1543. DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.15943.

NLM
Gan L, Qiu Z, Huang J, Li Y, Huang H, Xiang T, Wan J, Hui T, Lin Y, Li H, Ren G. Cyclooxygenase-2 in tumor-associated macrophages promotes metastatic potential of breast cancer cells through Akt pathway. Int J Biol Sci 2016; 12(12):1533-1543. doi:10.7150/ijbs.15943. https://www.ijbs.com/v12p1533.htm

CSE
Gan L, Qiu Z, Huang J, Li Y, Huang H, Xiang T, Wan J, Hui T, Lin Y, Li H, Ren G. 2016. Cyclooxygenase-2 in tumor-associated macrophages promotes metastatic potential of breast cancer cells through Akt pathway. Int J Biol Sci. 12(12):1533-1543.

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