Iron levels define two populations of Tumor Associated Macrophages

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) play an important role in the tumor microenvironment. TAMs acquire a M2-like macrophage phenotype and contribute to tissue remodeling, tumor growth and angiogenesis, hallmarks for cancer invasion. Likely, they also recycle iron from erythrocytes released as a consequence of angiogenesis in the tumor or retain iron upon tumor-related inflammation. The functional consequences of iron accumulation in TAMS are not well established. Here, we investigated whether iron levels affect TAM polarization and function and/or influence tumor growth. Macrophage subpopulations were studied in…