p50 nuclear factor-kappaB overexpression in tumor-associated macrophages inhibits M1 inflammatory responses and antitumor resistance

Cancer Res. 2006 Dec 1;66(23):11432-40. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-06-1867.

Abstract

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) are a major inflammatory infiltrate in tumors and a major component of the protumor function of inflammation. TAM in established tumors generally have an M2 phenotype with defective production of interleukin-12 (IL-12) and high IL-10. Here, we report that defective responsiveness of TAM from a murine fibrosarcoma and human ovarian carcinoma to M1 activation signals was associated with a massive nuclear localization of the p50 nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) inhibitory homodimer. p50 overexpression inhibited IL-12 expression in normal macrophages. TAM isolated from p50(-/-) mice showed normal production of M1 cytokines, associated with reduced growth of transplanted tumors. Bone marrow chimeras showed that p50 inactivation in hematopoietic cells was sufficient to result in reduced tumor growth. Thus, p50 NF-kappaB overexpression accounts for the inability of TAM to mount an effective M1 antitumor response capable of inhibiting tumor growth.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Active Transport, Cell Nucleus / drug effects
  • Animals
  • Blotting, Western
  • Bone Marrow Transplantation / methods
  • Cell Nucleus / drug effects
  • Cell Nucleus / metabolism
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cytokines / genetics
  • Cytokines / metabolism*
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Gene Expression / genetics
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Inflammation / genetics
  • Inflammation / metabolism
  • Inflammation / pathology
  • Inflammation Mediators / immunology
  • Inflammation Mediators / metabolism
  • Interleukin-10 / genetics
  • Interleukin-10 / metabolism
  • Interleukin-12 / genetics
  • Interleukin-12 / metabolism
  • Interleukin-6 / genetics
  • Interleukin-6 / metabolism
  • Lipopolysaccharides / pharmacology
  • Macrophages / immunology
  • Macrophages / metabolism*
  • Macrophages / pathology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • NF-kappa B p50 Subunit / deficiency
  • NF-kappa B p50 Subunit / genetics
  • NF-kappa B p50 Subunit / metabolism*
  • Neoplasms / genetics
  • Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Neoplasms / pathology*
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / genetics
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / metabolism

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Inflammation Mediators
  • Interleukin-6
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • NF-kappa B p50 Subunit
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Interleukin-10
  • Interleukin-12