1. Figure 1 A schematic representation of the role
of tumour-associated macrophages (TAMs) in tumour progression
Figure 1 | A schematic representation of the role of tumour-associated macrophages (TAMs) in tumour progression. a | Monocytes and monocyte-related myeloid-derived suppressor cells (M-MDSCs) in the circulation can be recruited to tumours in response to diverse chemoattractants, including cytokines (such as CSF-1, VEGF, and IL-34), chemokines (for example, CCL2 and CCL5), and complement components (C5a). The tumour-infiltrating monocytes differentiate into TAMs. In some tumours, in situ proliferation can occur, and local tissue-resident macrophages of embryonic origin can contribute to the TAM population. b | Signals in the tumour microenvironment skew the function of TAMs. The pathways and molecules that influence TAM polarization vary between different tumours, and include: IL-4 and IL-13 derived from type 2 T-helper (TH2) cells, eosinophils and basophils; cytokines, chemokines, metabolites, and other factors released from tumour cells; antibodies (Ab) secreted by B cells, and immune complexes (IC); stromal-cell-derived factors (such as, IL-1 and lymphotoxin (LT)). c | TAMs affect virtually all aspects of tumour-cell biology, including: angiogenesis; epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition; invasion and metastasis; cell proliferation; and genetic instability. Notably, TAMs also provide a protective niche for cancer stem cells. miRNA, microRNA.
Mantovani, A. et al. (2017) Tumour-associated macrophages as treatment targets in oncology
Nat. Rev. Clin. Oncol. doi: /nrclinonc