Tumor associated macrophages deliver iron to tumor cells via Lcn2.
Year: 2018
Type: article
Abstract: Cancer cells exhibit an increasing iron demand associated with the tumor progression. But the mechanism of iron accumulation in the tumor microenvironment is still unclear. Tumor associated macrophages (TAMs) in the tumor microenvironment may act as extra iron source. However, evidence is still lacking in TAMs as iron donors. In the present study, we found that iron concentration was significantly increased at tumor metastatic stage, which could be attributed to up-regulated expression of lipocalin2 (Lcn2). TAMs in the microenvironment secreted Lcn2. Moreover, TAMs increased intracellular iron concentration in tumor cells via Lcn2 as transporter, which could be restored by Lcn2 antibody neutralization. In conclusion, TAMs increased intracellular iron concentration of the tumor cells via Lcn2 which acted as an iron transporter. Targeting Lcn2 secretion in TAMs to "starve cancer cells" could act as alternative option for tumor therapy.
Source: Europe PMC (PubMed Central)
Authors: Xiaoyue Duan, Kun He, Jing Li, Man Cheng, Hongjiao Song, Jinqiu Liu, Ping Liu
Institution: Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Language: English
Topic: Immune cells in cancer
Subfield: Immunology
Field: Immunology and Microbiology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2981854722