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Regulation of the programming of tumour-associated macrophages (TAMs) controls tumour growth and anti-tumour immunity. We examined the role of FGF2 in that regulation. Tumours in mice genetically deficient in low-molecular weight FGF2 (FGF2 LMW ) regress dependent on T cells. Yet, TAMS not T cells express FGF receptors. Bone marrow derived-macrophages from Fgf2 LMW−/− mice co-injected with cancer cells reduce tumour growth and express more inflammatory cytokines. FGF2 is induced in the tumour microenvironment following fractionated radiation in murine tumours consistent with clinical reports. Combination treatment of in vivo tumours with fractionated radiation and a blocking antibody to FGF2 prolongs tumour growth delay, increases long-term survival and leads to a higher iNOS + /CD206 + TAM ratio compared to irradiation alone. These studies show for the first time that FGF2 affects macrophage programming and is a critical regulator of immunity in the tumour microenvironment. Macrophages contribute to tumour progression and response to therapy. Here, the authors show that absence of FGF2 in the tumour microenvironment reduces tumour growth and enhances the anti-tumour immune response by altering macrophage polarization. As a result, disruption of this macrophage programming by anti-FGF2 blocking antibodies enhances the outcome from radiotherapy. 

Emerging evidence suggests a role for radiation in eliciting anti‐tumour immunity. We aimed to investigate the role of macrophages in modulating the immune response to radiation. Irradiation to murine tumours generated from colorectal (MC38) and pancreatic (KPC) cell lines induced colony‐stimulating factor 1 (CSF‐1). Coincident with the elevation in CSF‐1, macrophages increased in tumours, peaking 5 days following irradiation. These tumour‐associated macrophages (TAMs) were skewed towards an immunosuppressive phenotype. Macrophage depletion via anti‐CSF (aCSF) reduced macrophage numbers, yet only achieved tumour growth delay when combined with radiation. The tumour growth delay from aCSF after radiation was abrogated by depletion of CD8 T cells. There was enhanced recognition of tumour cell antigens by T cells isolated from irradiated tumours, consistent with increased antigen priming. The addition of anti‐PD‐L1 (aPD‐L1) resulted in improved tumour suppression and even regression in some tumours. In summary, we show that adaptive immunity induced by radiation is limited by the recruitment of highly immunosuppressive macrophages. Macrophage depletion partly reduced immunosuppression, but additional treatment with anti‐PD‐L1 was required to achieve tumour regression. Synopsis Increased CSF‐1 is here observed in response to tumour irradiation. Subsequent recruitment of immunosuppressive macrophages rendered the tumour microenvironment resistant to immune‐mediated tumour cell killing. Blocking CSF‐1 reduced tumour‐associated macrophages and increased sensitivity to immune checkpoint blockade. Irradiation stimulates CSF‐1 secretion by tumour cells. Immunosuppressive macrophages are increased in the tumour microenvironment after irradiation. Macrophage depletion via anti‐CSF permits CD8 + T‐cell‐mediated tumour cell killing. Macrophage depleted tumours are more sensitive to immune checkpoint blockade. Graphical Abstract Increased CSF‐1 is here observed in response to tumour irradiation. Subsequent recruitment of immunosuppressive macrophages rendered the tumour microenvironment resistant to immune‐mediated tumour cell killing. Blocking CSF‐1 reduced tumour‐associated macrophages and increased sensitivity to immune checkpoint blockade.

Background and Aims IL-is important in gastric damage, mucosal repair and gastric cancer progression. We analysed IL-11 expression in H.pylori infected mouse stomach, the site of gastric IL-11 expression in mice and humans, and the effect of exogenous IL-11 on gastric mucosal homeostasis. Methods IL-11 protein was localised in mouse and human stomach. The impact of chronic, exogenous IL-11 on normal mouse stomach was examined histologically and transcriptionally by microarray, confirmed by mRNA and protein analysis. Functional impact of IL-11 on gastric acid secretion was determined. Results In mice infected with H.pylori, IL-11 was increased in fundic mucosa with temporal expression similar to IL-1b. IL-11 protein was localised predominantly to parietal cells in mouse and human stomach. Application of exogenous IL-11 to resulted in fundic parietal and chief cell loss, hyperplasia, mucous cell metaplasia and inflammation. Coincident with cellular changes were an increased gastric pH, altered parietal cell ultrastructure and altered gene expression, particularly genes involved in immune response and ion transport which could result in compromised acid secretion. We confirmed that a single dose of IL-11 effectively ablated the gastric response to histamine. Conclusions IL-11 is a parietal cell cytokine that blocks gastric acid secretion, likely via reducing expression of parietal cell ion transport genes, CCKb and histamine H2 receptors. IL-11 expression is increased in H. pylori infected mouse stomach and treatment of wild type mice with IL-11 induced changes in the gastric fundic mucosa reminiscent of chronic atrophic gastritis, a precursor to gastric cancer.

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related death due to poor treatment responses arising from tumor heterogeneity and epigenetic aberrations. Here we show that adverse prognosis associated with epigenetically silenced tumour suppressor RASSF1A is a consequence of increased extracellular matrix, tumour stiffness and metastatic dissemination in vivo and in vitro. We find that lung cancer cells with methylated RASSF1A display constitutive nuclear YAP1 and expression of prolyl4hydroxylase2 (P4HA2) into extracellular matrix that correlates with increases collagen deposition. Furthermore, we identify an epigenetic axis in tumour cells where elevated ECM impedes the intrinsic suppression of WNT signaling (via TPBG/5T4) triggering b-catenin-YAP1 activation and thus results in a cancer stem-like programming. As key drivers, we identified RASSF1A and P4HA2 mediating the ECM-dependent stemness and metastatic dissemination in vivo. Re-expression of RASSF1A or inhibition of P4HA2 activity reverse these effects and increase levels of lung differentiation markers (TTF-1, Mucin5B) in vivo and in vitro. Our study identifies an epigenetic program to cancer stemness and metastatic progression of lung adenocarcinoma and P4HA2 as potential target for uncoupling ECM signals towards cancer stemness.

This reference specification for the architect/ engineer can be applied to projects providing minimum requirements for construction of concrete parking lots and site paving by citing it in the project specification. A mandatory requirements checklist and an optional requirements checklist are provided to assist the architect/engineer in supplementing the provisions of this specification as required or needed by designating or specifying individual project requirements. Included are requirements for submittals, testing and inspection, concrete materials, distributed steel, embedded steel at joints, jointing and sealant material, forms, subgrade preparation, subbase, placing, texturing, curing, jointing, tolerances, and opening to traffic. The materials, processes, quality control measures, and inspection described in this document should be tested, monitored, or performed as applicable only by individuals holding the appropriate ACI certification or equivalent.