15-Deoxy-Δ-12,14-Prostaglandin J2 Represses Immune Escape of Lung Adenocarcinoma by Polarizing Macrophages Through Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor/Ras/Raf Pathway

J Immunother. 2025 May 1;48(4):119-126. doi: 10.1097/CJI.0000000000000546. Epub 2024 Dec 23.

Abstract

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is a widespread and deadly form of cancer. Prostaglandin 15-deoxy-Δ-12,14-prostaglandin J2 (15d-PGJ2) possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties. However, it is unclear whether this effect on LUAD progression stems from its ability to influence macrophage polarization. By utilizing 3- (4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT), flow cytometry, colony formation, transwell assays, and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), we investigated how 15d-PGJ2 affects A549 cell viability, proliferation, apoptosis, and invasion, as well as levels of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-13, and IL-17. Human monocytic cell line THP-1 was induced into M2 macrophages using phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and IL-4/IL-13, followed by treatment with 15d-PGJ2. The study employed flow cytometry to observe the polarization of macrophages, quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) to identify epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression, western blot for identifying expression of macrophage marker proteins, and examining EGFR/rat sarcoma (Ras)/rapidly accelerated fibrosarcoma (Raf) activation. In a coculture setup, CD8 + T cells were shown to have a proliferation capacity by carboxifluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester (CFSE), a killing ability by lactate dehydrogenase, and an analysis of their interferon gamma and tumor necrosis factor alpha levels by ELISA. 15d-PGJ2 reduced invasion capacity and expression of inflammatory cytokines, lowered A549 cell viability in a dose-dependent way, and promoted apoptosis. 15d-PGJ2 facilitated the transition of M2 macrophages to the M1 type, inhibited Ras/Raf pathway activation, reduced EGFR expression in macrophages, and stimulated CD8 + T cells to enhance anti-tumor immunity. 15d-PGJ2 repressed M2 macrophage polarization and LUAD immune evasion by targeting the EGFR/Ras/Raf pathway in macrophages.

MeSH terms

  • A549 Cells
  • Adenocarcinoma of Lung* / drug therapy
  • Adenocarcinoma of Lung* / immunology
  • Adenocarcinoma of Lung* / metabolism
  • Adenocarcinoma of Lung* / pathology
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • ErbB Receptors / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Lung Neoplasms* / immunology
  • Lung Neoplasms* / metabolism
  • Lung Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Macrophage Activation / drug effects
  • Macrophages* / drug effects
  • Macrophages* / immunology
  • Macrophages* / metabolism
  • Prostaglandin D2* / analogs & derivatives
  • Prostaglandin D2* / pharmacology
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Tumor Escape* / drug effects
  • raf Kinases / metabolism
  • ras Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • ErbB Receptors
  • Prostaglandin D2
  • 15-deoxy-delta(12,14)-prostaglandin J2
  • raf Kinases
  • ras Proteins
  • EGFR protein, human
  • Cytokines