MicroRNA-mediated control of macrophages and its implications for cancer

ML Squadrito, M Etzrodt, M De Palma, MJ Pittet - Trends in immunology, 2013 - cell.com
Trends in immunology, 2013cell.com
Deregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) can drive oncogenesis, tumor progression, and
metastasis by acting cell-autonomously in cancer cells. However, solid tumors are also
infiltrated by large amounts of non-neoplastic stromal cells, including macrophages, which
express several active miRNAs. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) enhance
angiogenic, immunosuppressive, invasive, and metastatic programming of neoplastic tissue
and reduce host survival. Here, we review the role of miRNAs (including miR-155, miR-146 …
Deregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) can drive oncogenesis, tumor progression, and metastasis by acting cell-autonomously in cancer cells. However, solid tumors are also infiltrated by large amounts of non-neoplastic stromal cells, including macrophages, which express several active miRNAs. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) enhance angiogenic, immunosuppressive, invasive, and metastatic programming of neoplastic tissue and reduce host survival. Here, we review the role of miRNAs (including miR-155, miR-146, and miR-511) in the control of macrophage production and activation, and examine whether reprogramming miRNA activity in TAMs and/or their precursors might be effective for controlling tumor progression.
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