PARP14 Contributes to the Development of the Tumor-Associated Macrophage Phenotype

Isotta Sturniolo1,2, Csongor Váróczy1,3, Zsolt Regdon1

  • 1Department of Medical Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary.

Insights

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) enzymes, particularly PARP14, are crucial in reprogramming macrophages into tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). Inhibiting PARP14 suppresses TAM development, offering a potential anticancer strategy to enhance immune responses.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cancer Biology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Cancers reprogram macrophages (MΦs) into tumor-promoting tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), resembling the anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype.
  • Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) enzymes influence MΦ biology, but their role in TAM development is unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of PARP enzymes, specifically PARP14, in the differentiation of macrophages towards a TAM phenotype.
  • To evaluate the potential of PARP inhibitors (PARPis) as a strategy to reprogram TAMs and enhance anti-cancer immunity.

Main Methods:

  • Treatment of primary murine MΦs, human THP-1 monocytic MΦs, and primary human monocyte-derived MΦs with PARPis (PJ34 and MCD113).
  • Analysis of M2 marker gene expression and MΦ differentiation in PARP14 knockout (KO) mice.
  • Utilizing murine and human models of TAM polarization, including co-culture spheroids with breast carcinoma cells.

Main Results:

  • PARP inhibitors (PJ34, MCD113) and PARP14 KO suppressed M2 marker gene expression in MΦs.
  • PARP14 deficiency limited MΦ differentiation into M2 cells.
  • PARPis and PARP14 KO reduced TAM polarization in both murine and human models, with increased cancer cell apoptosis observed in treated spheroids.
  • Lipocalin-2, MIF, and PAI-1 identified as potential mediators of TAM differentiation dependent on ADP-ribosylation.

Conclusions:

  • PARP14 plays a significant role in TAM differentiation.
  • PARP14 inhibition effectively suppresses TAM polarization and promotes cancer cell apoptosis.
  • Targeting PARP14 represents a promising anticancer strategy to reprogram TAMs and bolster anti-cancer immune responses.

Related Concept Videos

Abnormal Proliferation02:23

Abnormal Proliferation

Under normal conditions, most adult cells remain in a non-proliferative state unless stimulated by internal or external factors to replace lost cells. Abnormal cell proliferation is a condition in which the cell's growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with normal cells. In such situations, cell division persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the stimuli, leading to persistent tumors. The tumor arises from the damaged cells that replicate to pass the damage to the...
4.5K
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
3.8K
The Tumor Microenvironment02:17

The Tumor Microenvironment

Every normal cell or tissue is embedded in a complex local environment called stroma, consisting of different cell types, a basal membrane, and blood vessels. As normal cells mutate and develop into cancer cells, their local environment also changes to allow cancer progression. The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of a complex cellular matrix of stromal cells and the developing tumor. The cross-talk between cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells is critical to disrupt normal tissue...
6.6K