Mutant p53 cancers reprogram macrophages to tumor supporting macrophages via exosomal miR-1246

Nat Commun. 2018 Feb 22;9(1):771. doi: 10.1038/s41467-018-03224-w.

Abstract

TP53 mutants (mutp53) are involved in the pathogenesis of most human cancers. Specific mutp53 proteins gain oncogenic functions (GOFs) distinct from the tumor suppressor activity of the wild-type protein. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), a hallmark of solid tumors, are typically correlated with poor prognosis. Here, we report a non-cell-autonomous mechanism, whereby human mutp53 cancer cells reprogram macrophages to a tumor supportive and anti-inflammatory state. The colon cancer cells harboring GOF mutp53 selectively shed miR-1246-enriched exosomes. Uptake of these exosomes by neighboring macrophages triggers their miR-1246-dependent reprogramming into a cancer-promoting state. Mutp53-reprogammed TAMs favor anti-inflammatory immunosuppression with increased activity of TGF-β. These findings, associated with poor survival in colon cancer patients, strongly support a microenvironmental GOF role for mutp53 in actively engaging the immune system to promote cancer progression and metastasis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Colonic Neoplasms / genetics
  • Colonic Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Exosomes / genetics
  • Exosomes / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Macrophages / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • MicroRNAs / genetics
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism*
  • Mutant Proteins / genetics
  • Mutant Proteins / metabolism
  • Mutation
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / metabolism
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / genetics*
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / metabolism*

Substances

  • MIRN1246 microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs
  • Mutant Proteins
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53