Transcription factor MafB is a marker of tumor-associated macrophages in both mouse and humans.

Abstract

The transcription factor MafB is specifically expressed in macrophages. We have recently demonstrated that MafB is expressed in anti-inflammatory alternatively activated M2 macrophages in vitro. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are a subset of M2 type macrophages that can promote immunosuppressive activity, induce angiogenesis, and promote tumor cell proliferation. To examine whether MafB express in TAMs, we analyzed green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression in Lewis lung carcinoma tumors of MafB-GFP knock-in heterozygous mice. FACS analysis demonstrated GFP fluorescence in cells positive for macrophage-markers (F4/80, CD11b, CD68, and CD204). Moreover, quantitative RT-PCR analysis with F4/80+GFP+ and F4/80+GFP- sorted cells showed that the GFP-positive macrophages express IL-10, Arg-1, and TNF-α, which were known to be expressed in TAMs. These results indicate that MafB is expressed in TAMs. Furthermore, immunostaining analysis using an anti-MAFB antibody revealed that MAFB is expressed in CD204-and CD68-positive macrophages in human lung cancer samples. In conclusion, MafB can be a suitable marker of TAMs in both mouse and human tumor tissues.

• Authors: Manoj Kumar Yadav, Yuri Inoue, Aya Nakane-Otani, Yuki Tsunakawa, Hyojung Jeon, Omar Samir, Akari Teramoto, Kaushalya Kulathunga, Manabu Kusakabe, Megumi Nakamura, Takashi Kudo, Satoru Takahashi, Michito Hamada
• Journal: Biochemical and biophysical research communications (Biochem Biophys Res Commun) Vol. 521 Issue 3 Pg. 590-595 (01 15 2020) ISSN: 1090-2104 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 31679694 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Biomarkers, Tumor
• MAFB protein, human
• MafB Transcription Factor
• Mafb protein, mouse

Topics

• Animals
• Biomarkers, Tumor (analysis)
• Carcinoma, Lewis Lung (pathology)
• Cell Line, Tumor
• Humans
• Lung Neoplasms (pathology)
• Macrophages (pathology)
• MafB Transcription Factor (analysis)
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred C57BL
• Tumor Microenvironment