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Updated: Jan 8, 2026

Murine Model for Non-invasive Imaging to Detect and Monitor Ovarian Cancer Recurrence
Published on: November 2, 2014
CCL8 suppresses ovarian cancer progression via M1 macrophage polarization and NF-κB-mediated apoptosis
Jie Fang1, Xinyue Zhao2, Jin Wang2
1Department of Gynecology, The Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212001, Jiangsu, China. fangjie070@163.com.
Abstract:
CCL8, a chemokine overexpressed in ovarian cancer (OC), has drawn attention for its role in tumor progression. This study aimed to explore the function of CCL8 in OC and its effects on tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and related mechanisms. Bioinformatics analysis revealed a correlation between high CCL8 expression and M1 macrophage infiltration, as well as a favourable prognosis in OC patients. In vitro, CCL8 polarised THP1-derived macrophages towards an M1 phenotype, and the conditioned medium from these macrophages suppressed ES2 cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Mechanistically, CCL8-induced macrophages promoted apoptosis in OC cells via activation of the NF-κB p65 pathway, as evidenced by increased Bax and Caspase3 expression, and these effects were reversed by p65 inhibition. The findings demonstrate that CCL8 exerts a tumor-uppressive effect by inducing M1 macrophage polarisation and activating the NF-κB pathway, positioning it as a potential immunotherapeutic target in OC.
Insights
Chemokine CCL8, elevated in ovarian cancer (OC), suppresses tumor growth by activating M1 macrophages and the NF-κB pathway. This suggests CCL8 as a potential immunotherapy target for OC.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Chemokine CCL8 is overexpressed in ovarian cancer (OC) and implicated in tumor progression.
- Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) play a complex role in cancer, with M1 polarization often associated with anti-tumor immunity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the function of CCL8 in ovarian cancer.
- To determine CCL8's effects on tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and elucidate underlying mechanisms.
Main Methods:
- Bioinformatics analysis of patient data.
- In vitro cell culture experiments using THP1-derived macrophages and ES2 ovarian cancer cells.
- Assessment of macrophage polarization, cell proliferation, migration, invasion, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and apoptosis.
- Analysis of the NF-κB p65 signaling pathway.
Main Results:
- High CCL8 expression correlated with M1 macrophage infiltration and better prognosis in OC patients.
- CCL8 induced M1 polarization in macrophages.
- Conditioned medium from CCL8-polarized macrophages inhibited OC cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and EMT.
- CCL8-induced macrophages promoted OC cell apoptosis via NF-κB p65 pathway activation (increased Bax and Caspase3).
- p65 inhibition reversed these anti-tumor effects.
Conclusions:
- CCL8 exhibits tumor-suppressive functions in ovarian cancer.
- CCL8 exerts its effects by promoting M1 macrophage polarization and activating the NF-κB pathway.
- CCL8 represents a potential immunotherapeutic target for ovarian cancer.
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