Tumour-associated macrophages activate migration and STAT3 in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells in co-cultures

Objectives: Tumour-associated macrophages participate in tumour development and progression. The aim of this study was to assess the interactions of pancreatic cancer cells and pro-inflammatory M1 and anti-inflammatory M2 macrophages, specifically their effect on pancreatic cancer cell migration and the changes in STAT-signalling. Methods: Monocytes were isolated from healthy subjects and differentiated into macrophages with M-CSF. The macrophages were polarized towards M1 by IL-12 and towards M2 by IL-10. We studied also the effect of pan-JAK/STAT-inhibitor P6. Macrophage polarization and STAT and NF kappa B-activation in both MiaPaCa-2 and macrophages were assessed by flow cytometry. We recorded the effect of co-culture on migration rate of pancreatic cancer cells MiaPaCa-2. Results: Macrophages increased the migration rate of pancreatic cancer cells. Co-culture activated STAT1, STAT3, STAT5, AKT and NF kappa B in macrophages and STAT3 in MiaPaCa-2 cells. IL-12 polarized macrophages towards M1 and decreased the migration rate of pancreatic cancer cells in co-cultures as well as P6. IL-10 skewed macrophage polarization towards M2 and induced increase of pancreatic cancer cells in co-cultures. Conclusion: Co-culture with macrophages increased pancreatic cancer cell migration and activated STAT3. It is possible to activate and deactivate migration of pancreatic cancer cells trough macrophage polarization. (C) 2017 IAP and EPC. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Peer reviewe