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Updated: Aug 17, 2026

Macrophage Differentiation and Polarization into an M2-Like Phenotype using a Human Monocyte-Like THP-1 Leukemia Cell Line
Published on: August 2, 2021
Platelet activating factor induces cytoskeletal reorganization through Rho family pathway in THP-1 macrophages
Chinuyo Sumita1, Masako Yamane, Takahisa Matsuda
1Department of Clinical Evaluation of Medicines and Therapeutics, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Japan.
Abstract:
In the process of atherosclerosis, platelet activating factor (PAF) promotes the infiltration of inflammatory cells into atherosclerotic plaque by modulating their cytoskeleton. Here, we examined whether Rho family proteins are involved in PAF-induced cytoskeletal reorganization in THP-1 macrophages. PAF stimulation rapidly induced cell elongation, accompanied by filopodia formation. The inhibition of Rho family proteins by the overexpression of Rho-GDI attenuated the PAF-mediated morphological changes. Both RhoA and Cdc42 were activated in response to PAF. Inhibition of RhoA or Cdc42 by dominant negative mutants abrogated morphological changes induced by PAF. Collectively, PAF regulates cytoarchitecture through Rho family proteins in macrophages.
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