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Updated: Dec 26, 2025
In Vitro Assay to Study Tumor-macrophage Interaction
Published on: August 1, 2019
Tumor-Associated Macrophages (TAM) are recruited to the aging prostate epithelial lesions and become intermingled
Hipácia Werneck-Gomes1, Gabriel H Campolina-Silva1, Bruna T Maria1
1Department of Morphology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
Background:
Prostate cancer remains one of the most common cancers in men. Macrophages are thought to be important regulators in cancers, and their potential involvement in prostate cancer should not be overlooked. Therefore, the association between macrophages and the pre-tumorous changes in prostate epithelium during aging deserves further investigation.
Objectives:
We sought to investigate whether macrophages would be recruited into the prostate epithelium that display pathological lesions commonly found during aging.
Materials And Methods:
Prostates of aging rats, with and without treatment with a combination of testosterone and estradiol, were examined for premalignant and malignant epithelial lesions. For comparison, prostates of castrated rats were also investigated.
Results:
Intraepithelial macrophages were found restricted to areas of premalignant and malignant lesions. An unprecedented interaction between macrophages and basal cells was observed in the aging pathological lesions. The intraepithelial macrophages were associated with autophagy, in contrast to those found after castration. In prostate lesions, the intraepithelial macrophages had TAM phenotype (CD68+/iNOS+/CD206+/ARG+), denoting a possible involvement in cancer progression. However, M2 macrophages (CD68+/CD163+) were recruited into the epithelium after castration, possibly to phagocytize cells undergoing apoptosis.
Discussion And Conclusion:
In conclusion, macrophages were recruited into the prostate epithelium and presented diverse phenotypes and morphology, consistent with changes reflected in the hormonal environment. Macrophages with the TAM phenotype were found restricted to areas of premalignant and malignant lesions in aging prostates, denoting a possible involvement in cancer progression. In contrast, M2 macrophages were found in the regressed epithelium after castration.
Insights
Macrophages infiltrate aging prostate tissues, with specific types linked to pre-cancerous lesions and hormonal changes. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) appear in aging lesions, while M2 macrophages aid tissue repair after castration.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Oncology
- Immunology
Background:
- Prostate cancer is a leading male cancer.
- Macrophages are key regulators in cancer development.
- Their role in prostate cancer progression, especially during aging, requires further study.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate macrophage recruitment into aging prostate epithelium with pathological lesions.
- To understand macrophage phenotypes in relation to aging and hormonal changes in the prostate.
Main Methods:
- Examined prostates of aging rats, with and without hormone treatment (testosterone and estradiol).
- Included prostates from castrated rats for comparison.
- Analyzed epithelial lesions and intraepithelial macrophage presence and phenotype.
Main Results:
- Intraepithelial macrophages were found exclusively in premalignant and malignant prostate lesions.
- Observed unique interactions between macrophages and basal cells in aging lesions.
- Identified tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in aging lesions and M2 macrophages in regressed epithelium post-castration.
Conclusions:
- Macrophages are recruited to the prostate epithelium with diverse phenotypes influenced by hormonal status.
- TAMs are associated with premalignant and malignant lesions in aging prostates, suggesting a role in cancer progression.
- M2 macrophages are recruited after castration, potentially for apoptotic cell clearance.
