机构:[1]Hebei Med Univ, Dept Histol & Embryol, 361 Zhongshan East Rd, Shijiazhuang 050017, Peoples R China[2]Liaoning Tianan Biopharmaceut Co Ltd, New Drug R&D Ctr, Benxi, Peoples R China[3]Hebei Med Univ, Hosp 1, Dept Gynaecol, Shijiazhuang, Peoples R China[4]Hebei Med Univ, Hosp 4, Dept Gynaecol, Shijiazhuang, Peoples R China临床科室妇科河北医科大学第四医院
Targeted therapy with tumour-associated macrophages (TAMs) has emerged as a new paradigm for immunotherapy of cervical cancer. Nocardia rubra cell wall skeleton (Nr-CWS) for external use is an immunotherapeutic agent. In this study, we aimed to explore the effects of Nr-CWS on TAMs and the potential mechanisms. Cervical tissue samples were collected before and after Nr-CWS treatment from patients with high-risk HPV infection and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). The effect of Nr-CWS on macrophages in vivo was examined by immunohistochemistry and double-labeling immunofluorescence histochemistry. In vitro experiments were performed using a TAM model established by THP-1 cells under Nr-CWS treatment. We found that Nr-CWS treatment significantly reduced the numbers of total macrophages and M2 macrophages, increased the proportion of M1 macrophages and decreased the proportion of M2 macrophages in cervical tissues. After Nr-CWS treatment in vitro, the expression levels of the M1 macrophage markers were increased, while the expression levels of the M2 macrophage markers were decreased. Nr-CWS treatment also activated STAT1 pathways but inhibited STAT6 pathways. These results indicated that Nr-CWS may improve local immune response and reverse immunosuppression by regulating the M2 to M1 polarization of TAMs via STAT1/STAT6 pathways.
基金:
National Key Technology Research and Developmental Program of China [2022YFC2704400]; Nature Science Foundation of Hebei Province [H2020206243]; Medical Science Research Project of Hebei Province [20220972]