Using Cytometry for Investigation of Purinergic Signaling in Tumor-Associated Macrophages

Author(s)

Arnaud-Sampaio, Vanessa F. ^[1] ; Rabelo, Izadora L. A. ^[1] ; Bento, Carolina A. ^[1] ; Glaser, Talita ^[1] ; Bezerra, Jean ^[1] ; Coutinho-Silva, Robson ^[2] ; Ulrich, Henning ^[1] ; Lameu, Claudiana ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Chem, Dept Biochem, Ave Prof Lineu Prestes 748, Sala 966, BR-05508000 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Fed Rio de Janeiro, Biophys Inst Carlos Chagas Filho, Immunophysiol Lab, Rio De Janeiro - Brazil

• Document type: Review article
• Source: Cytometry Part A; v. 97, n. 11 JUL 2020.
• Web of Science Citations: 1

Abstract

Tumor-associated macrophages are widely recognized for their importance in guiding pro-tumoral or antitumoral responses. Mediating inflammation or immunosuppression, these cells support many key events in cancer progression: cell growth, chemotaxis, invasiveness, angiogenesis and cell death. The communication between cells in the tumor microenvironment strongly relies on the secretion and recognition of several molecules, including damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), such as adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Extracellular ATP (eATP) and its degradation products act as signaling molecules and have extensively described roles in immune response and inflammation, as well as in cancer biology. These multiple functions highlight the purinergic system as a promising target to investigate the interplay between macrophages and cancer cells. Here, we reviewed purinergic signaling pathways connecting cancer cells and macrophages, a yet poorly investigated field. Finally, we present a new tool for the characterization of macrophage phenotype within the tumor. Image cytometry emerges as a cutting-edge tool, capable of providing a broad set of information on cell morphology, expression of specific markers, and its cellular or subcellular localization, preserving cell-cell interactions within the tumor section and providing high statistical strength in small-sized experiments. Thus, image cytometry allows deeper investigation of tumor heterogeneity and interactions between these cells. (c) 2020 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 17/06132-7 - Study of P2X7 receptor isoforms in the maintenance of cancer stem cells and metastasis
• Grantee: Izadora Lorrany Alves Rabelo
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• FAPESP's process: 15/13345-1 - Huntington's disease: Huntingtin roles during cell fate decision
• Grantee: Talita Glaser
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 18/07366-4 - Purine and kinin receptors as targets of study and therapeutic interventions in neurological diseases
• Grantee: Alexander Henning Ulrich
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 18/14993-5 - Influence of M1 and M2 phenotypes of macrophages and P2X7 receptor on neuroblastoma mestastasis
• Grantee: Carolina Adriane Bento
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• FAPESP's process: 15/19128-2 - Metastasis mechanisms of childhood tumors to bone marrow
• Grantee: Claudiana Lameu
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants