M2 tumor-associated macrophages and CXCL2 induce lipid remodeling in hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines

Primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignant tumors, but its pathogenesis remains incompletely elucidated. Recently, many studies indicated that lipid remodeling plays an important role in the occurrence and development of HCC. Furthermore, lipids have been proven to be indispensable mediators in promoting communication between tumor cells and extracellular matrix in the tumor microenvironment. Thus, this study aims to comprehensively investigate the process of lipid remodeling during HCC metastasis based on the LC-electrospray ionization-MS (LC-ESI-MS) combined with multiple reaction monitoring technology. M2 tumor-associated macrophages and the recombinant human protein CXCL2 were used to simulate the tumor microenvironment. After co-incubating SMMC7721 and MHCC97-H cell lines with M2 tumor-associated macrophages or the recombinant human protein CXCL2 for 48 h, LC-ESI-MS was used to quantify the levels of two major classes of lipid molecules, namely, glycerophospholipids and sphingolipids. Our results suggest that lipid remodeling in the tumor microenvironment may promote the migration and invasion of HCC cell lines.