human monocytic leukemia cell line  (ATCC)

Journal: Frontiers in Immunology

Article Title: STAT6 inhibition of M2 macrophages suppresses tumor growth by modulating the tumor microenvironment in colon cancer model

doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2026.1733991

Figure Lengend Snippet: TAMpep-IP reduces phosphorylation of STAT6 in M2 macrophages. (A) Schematic structure of TAMpep-IP composed of an M2 macrophage-homing peptide (TAMpep), a cleavable linker, and a STAT6-inhibitory peptide (IP). (B) THP-1 cells were differentiated into M0, M1, or M2 macrophages and stained for phosphorylated STAT6 (p-STAT6; red). Nuclear staining was performed with DAPI (blue). Immunofluorescence microscopy revealed elevated nuclear p-STAT6 in M2 macrophages compared to M0 and M1. Representative confocal images were acquired using a 40× objective lens. Scale bars, 20 μm. (C) M0 and M2 macrophages were treated with TAMpep, IP, or TAMpep-IP (0.5 μM, 72 h). Flow cytometry was used to measure p-STAT6 expression levels (mean fluorescence intensity), showing that TAMpep-IP significantly reduced p-STAT6 in M2 macrophages. (D) Western blot analysis was performed to detect p-STAT6 and total STAT6 levels in M2 macrophages after administration with TAMpep, IP, or TAMpep-IP (0.5 μM, 72 h). TAMpep-IP effectively reduced p-STAT6. The experiment was performed in triplicate. All data are presented as mean ± SEM. *p<0.05, **p<0.01, ***p < 0.001 and ****p < 0.0001..

Article Snippet: The human monocytic leukemia cell line THP-1 (KCLB; Korean Cell Line Bank, Seoul, Korea) was cultured in RPMI 1640 medium (Welgene, Gyeongsangbuk, Korea) supplemented with 10% heat-inactivated fetal bovine serum (FBS) and 1% penicillin–streptomycin (Hyclone, Logan, UT, USA).

Techniques: Phospho-proteomics, Staining, Immunofluorescence, Microscopy, Flow Cytometry, Expressing, Fluorescence, Western Blot

Journal: Frontiers in Immunology

Article Title: STAT6 inhibition of M2 macrophages suppresses tumor growth by modulating the tumor microenvironment in colon cancer model

doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2026.1733991

Figure Lengend Snippet: TAMpep-IP inhibits polarization of M2 macrophages. (A) THP-1 monocytes were differentiated into M0 and M2 macrophages, and M2 cells were treated with TAMpep-IP (0.5 μM, 72 h). Quantitative RT-PCR analysis showed that TAMpep-IP significantly reduced the mRNA expression of TGF-β and Arg-1, two markers associated with M2 polarization. (B) ELISA was performed to measure the levels of secreted TGF-β and IL-13 in the culture supernatant of M0, M2, and TAMpep-IP–treated M2 macrophages (72 h). TAMpep-IP markedly decreased secretion of both cytokines. (C) Flow cytometric analysis was used to assess CD206 surface expression in M0, M2, and TAMpep-IP–treated M2 macrophages (72 h). CD206 expression was significantly decreased in the TAMpep-IP group compared to untreated M2 macrophages. All data are presented as mean ± SEM. *p<0.05, **p<0.01, ***p<0.001, ****p < 0.0001. (D) The expression of IL-1β mRNA was analyzed by quantitative RT-PCR in M0, M1, and M2 macrophages after TAMpep-IP. TAMpep-IP significantly upregulated IL-1β expression in M2 macrophages, to levels comparable with M1-polarized cells.

Article Snippet: The human monocytic leukemia cell line THP-1 (KCLB; Korean Cell Line Bank, Seoul, Korea) was cultured in RPMI 1640 medium (Welgene, Gyeongsangbuk, Korea) supplemented with 10% heat-inactivated fetal bovine serum (FBS) and 1% penicillin–streptomycin (Hyclone, Logan, UT, USA).

Techniques: Quantitative RT-PCR, Expressing, Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay

Journal: Regenerative Therapy

Article Title: Lung cancer cell-derived exosomal EHF drives M2 macrophage polarization via transcriptional activation of RNF41 to promote tumor progression

doi: 10.1016/j.reth.2026.101104

Figure Lengend Snippet: EHF promotes lung cancer cell malignancy and M2 macrophage polarization. A549 and H520 cells were transfected with control (Ctrl) or EHF-knockdown (KD-EHF) plasmids. (A-B) Western blot and quantification of EHF protein levels in A549 and H520 cells. (C-D) EdU staining and quantification of EdU + cells in A549 and H520 cells, assessing proliferation. (E-H) Glucose uptake and lactate production assays were conducted using commercial kits to evaluate glycolytic output. (I-J) Flow cytometric analysis of apoptosis. (K-L) Transwell assay was employed to examine cell migration. (M − P) THP-1 cells were differentiated into THP-1-M0 macrophages with 100 ng/mL PMA for 24 h. Culture supernatants from Ctrl- or KD-EHF–transfected A549 and H520 cells were collected and co-incubated with THP-1-M0 macrophages. (M − N) Flow cytometric analysis was performed to assess the proportion of CD206 + M2-polarized macrophages. (O–P) ELISA was conducted to quantify the secretion of M2-associated cytokines (TGF-β1, IL-10, and VEGFA) in the supernatants of THP-1-M0 macrophages. Data are presented as mean ± SD. P < 0.05 denotes statistical significance.

Article Snippet: Human monocyte cell line (THP-1) (Catalog #: YC-D011) were purchased from Guangzhou Ubigene Biosciences Co., Ltd. (Guangzhou, China) and cultured in RPMI-1640 (Gibco) containing 10% FBS (Gibco).

Techniques: Transfection, Control, Knockdown, Western Blot, Staining, Transwell Assay, Migration, Incubation, Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay

Journal: Regenerative Therapy

Article Title: Lung cancer cell-derived exosomal EHF drives M2 macrophage polarization via transcriptional activation of RNF41 to promote tumor progression

doi: 10.1016/j.reth.2026.101104

Figure Lengend Snippet: Exosomes derived from lung cancer cells are internalized by THP-1-M0 macrophages and mediate EHF delivery. Exosomes were isolated from A549 and H520 cells. (A) TEM images showed the typical cup-shaped morphology of exosomes isolated from A549 and H520 cell supernatants (scale bar: 100 nm). (B) NTA of exosomes from A549 and H520 cells. (C) Western blot analysis of exosome markers (CD9 and TSG101) and the endoplasmic reticulum marker Calnexin in exosome lysates and parental A549/H520 cell lysates. (D-E) THP-1-M0 macrophages (differentiated from THP-1 cells with 100 ng/mL PMA for 24 h) were co-incubated with DiI-labeled exosomes isolated from A549 and H520 cells. (D) Fluorescence microscopy images of THP-1-M0 macrophages after co-incubation with PKH67-labeled exosomes (scale bar: 20 μm). (E-F) Western blot and quantification of EHF protein levels in THP-1-M0 macrophages after incubation with exosomes from A549 or H520 cells. Data are presented as mean ± SD. P < 0.05 denotes statistical significance.

Article Snippet: Human monocyte cell line (THP-1) (Catalog #: YC-D011) were purchased from Guangzhou Ubigene Biosciences Co., Ltd. (Guangzhou, China) and cultured in RPMI-1640 (Gibco) containing 10% FBS (Gibco).

Techniques: Derivative Assay, Isolation, Western Blot, Marker, Incubation, Labeling, Fluorescence, Microscopy

Journal: Regenerative Therapy

Article Title: Lung cancer cell-derived exosomal EHF drives M2 macrophage polarization via transcriptional activation of RNF41 to promote tumor progression

doi: 10.1016/j.reth.2026.101104

Figure Lengend Snippet: Exosomal EHF reprograms THP-1-M0 macrophages to promote lung cancer cell malignancy and angiogenesis via paracrine signaling. (A) Schematic of the paracrine co-culture system: Exosomes from control (Ctrl) or EHF-knockdown (KD-EHF) A549/H520 cells were co-incubated with THP-1-M0 macrophages. The medium from these macrophages was used to treat A549/H520 cells or HUVECs. (B-E) THP-1-M0 macrophages were treated with three conditions: blank control (no exosome), exosomes from control-transfected A549/H520 cells (Exo Ctrl ), or exosomes from EHF-knockdown A549/H520 cells (Exo KD−EHF ). (B–C) Flow cytometry analysis of CD206 + M2 macrophage proportions in THP-1-M0 cells. (D-E) ELISA measurement of M2-associated cytokines (TGF-β1, IL-10, and VEGFA). (F-M) The medium from exosome treated macrophages was then used to incubate A549/H520 cells or HUVECs. (F-G) EdU staining and quantification of EdU + proliferating A549 and H520 cells. (H–I) Flow cytometric analysis of apoptosis in A549 and H520 cells. (J-K) Transwell migration assays and quantification of migrated A549 and H520 cells. (L-M) Tube formation assays and quantification of tube numbers in HUVECs. Data are presented as mean ± SD. P < 0.05 denotes statistical significance.

Article Snippet: Human monocyte cell line (THP-1) (Catalog #: YC-D011) were purchased from Guangzhou Ubigene Biosciences Co., Ltd. (Guangzhou, China) and cultured in RPMI-1640 (Gibco) containing 10% FBS (Gibco).

Techniques: Co-Culture Assay, Control, Knockdown, Incubation, Transfection, Flow Cytometry, Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay, Staining, Migration

Journal: Regenerative Therapy

Article Title: Lung cancer cell-derived exosomal EHF drives M2 macrophage polarization via transcriptional activation of RNF41 to promote tumor progression

doi: 10.1016/j.reth.2026.101104

Figure Lengend Snippet: EHF transcriptionally activates RNF41 and mediates its intercellular transfer via exosomes. (A) JASPAR database prediction of the EHF-binding motif within the RNF41 promoter region, localized to positions −828/-821. (B) ChIP-qPCR analysis in THP-1-M0 macrophages. (C) Dual-luciferase reporter assays in 293T cells. (D) WB analysis of EHF protein levels in THP-1-M0 macrophages with EHF knockdown (KD-EHF) or control (Ctrl). (E-F) Western blot and qRT-PCR analysis of RNF41 protein and mRNA levels in THP-1-M0 macrophages with KD-EHF or Ctrl. (G-H) THP-1-M0 macrophages were treated with culture medium (Blank), control exosomes (Ctrl Exo, from A549/H520 cells), or EHF-knockdown exosomes (KD-EHF Exo, from A549/H520-KD-EHF cells). RNF41 protein levels were detected by Western blot. Data are presented as mean ± SD. P < 0.05 denotes statistical significance.

Article Snippet: Human monocyte cell line (THP-1) (Catalog #: YC-D011) were purchased from Guangzhou Ubigene Biosciences Co., Ltd. (Guangzhou, China) and cultured in RPMI-1640 (Gibco) containing 10% FBS (Gibco).

Techniques: Binding Assay, ChIP-qPCR, Luciferase, Knockdown, Control, Western Blot, Quantitative RT-PCR

Journal: Regenerative Therapy

Article Title: Lung cancer cell-derived exosomal EHF drives M2 macrophage polarization via transcriptional activation of RNF41 to promote tumor progression

doi: 10.1016/j.reth.2026.101104

Figure Lengend Snippet: RNF41 mediates exosomal EHF-driven pro-tumorigenic effects in lung cancer. (A) Schematic of the rescue co-culture system: THP-1-M0 macrophages (control or RNF41-overexpressing) were incubated with exosomes from control (Exo Ctrl ) or EHF-knockdown (Exo KD−EHF ) A549/H520 cells. The medium from these co-cultures was used to treat A549/H520 cells or HUVECs. (B–C) Flow cytometry was used to analyze the proportion of CD206 + M2-polarized macrophages in THP-1-M0 cells. (D-E) ELISA was employed to quantify the levels of M2-associated cytokines (TGF-β1, IL-10, and VEGFA) in the CM from macrophages. (F-G) EdU assays were carried out to measure the proliferation of A549 and H520 cells. (H–I) Annexin V/PI flow cytometry was used to assess the apoptosis of A549 and H520 cells treated with CM. (J-K) Transwell assays were performed to evaluate the migration of A549 and H520 cells. (L-M) Tube formation assays were conducted on HUVECs treated with CM. Data are presented as mean ± SD. P < 0.05 denotes statistical significance.

Article Snippet: Human monocyte cell line (THP-1) (Catalog #: YC-D011) were purchased from Guangzhou Ubigene Biosciences Co., Ltd. (Guangzhou, China) and cultured in RPMI-1640 (Gibco) containing 10% FBS (Gibco).

Techniques: Co-Culture Assay, Control, Incubation, Knockdown, Flow Cytometry, Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay, Migration