Macrophage Differentiation and Polarization into an M2-Like Phenotype using a Human Monocyte-Like THP-1 Leukemia Cell Line

Summary

M2-like tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) are associated with tumor progression and poor prognosis in cancer. This protocol serves as a detailed guide to reproducibly differentiate and polarize THP-1 monocyte-like cells into M2-like macrophages within 14 days. This model is the basis to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of TAM within the tumor microenvironment.

Abstract

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) can switch their expression and cytokine profile according to external stimuli. This remarkable plasticity enables TAM to adapt to ongoing changes within the tumor microenvironment. Macrophages can have either primarily pro-inflammatory (M1-like) or anti-inflammatory (M2-like) attributes and can continually switch between these two main states. M2-like macrophages within the tumor environment are associated with cancer progression and poor prognosis in several types of cancer. Many different methods for inducing differentiation and polarization of THP-1 cells are used to investigate cellular and intercellular mechanisms and the effects of TAM within the microenvironment of tumors. Currently, there is no established model for M2-like macrophage polarization using the THP-1 cell line, and the results of expression and cytokine profiles of macrophages due to certain in vitro stimuli vary between studies. This protocol serves as detailed guidance to differentiate THP-1 monocyte-like cells into M0 macrophages and to further polarize cells into an M2-like phenotype within 14 days. We demonstrate the morphological changes of THP-1 monocyte-like cells, differentiated macrophages, and polarized M2-like macrophages using light microscopy. This model is the basis for cell line models investigating the anti-inflammatory effects of TAM and their interactions with other cell populations of the tumor microenvironment.

Introduction

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) and their role in chronic inflammation, the onset of cancer, and tumor development are important targets in recent research^1,2. Peripheral blood monocytes that are recruited to the tissue microenvironment of the developing tumor differentiate into macrophages and can be polarized into two main subtypes of macrophages³. The classically activated macrophage represents the primarily pro-inflammatory M1-like phenotype and the alternatively activated M2-like subtype shows predominantly anti-inflammatory characteristics⁴. Macrophages ....

Protocol

NOTE: An overview of the steps described in this protocol is shown in Figure 1. The human monocyte-like leukemia cell line THP-1 was purchased. Short tandem repeat analysis was performed to authenticate the THP-1 cell line. Perform all steps under sterile conditions. The THP-1 monocytic cell line grows in suspension and does not attach to cell culture surfaces. Adherence can be induced by differentiating monocytes into macrophage-like cells through, e.g., mechanical stress or specific treatment with PMA.

1. Culturing and maintenance of THP-1 monocyte-like cells

1. Set a timer for 150 s. Remove....

Results

M2-like macrophages were characterized, and M2-polarization was validated using flow cytometry for Cluster of Differentiation markers (CD) CD14, CD11b, CD80 (M1-like marker), and CD206 (M2-like marker). Flow cytometry staining was performed according to the manufacturer's instructions. Macrophages were washed with PBS/5% FBS and incubated with Fcγ-receptor block to avoid unspecific binding. Cells were then stained with FITC-conjugated mouse anti-human CD14 and CD80 antibodies, with PE-conjugated mouse anti-human.......

Discussion

This protocol on differentiating and polarizing THP-1 monocyte-like cells within 14 days provides a method to obtain macrophages with a distinct M2-like phenotype due to long treatment incubation of cells with adequate resting periods between steps.

Certain steps are critical to this protocol. The doubling time of THP-1 monocytes is approximately 26 h. Cells can be split at a cell density of 9 x 10⁵/mL and should be seeded at a density of 3 x 10⁵/mL during every split. Th.......

Materials

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
0.4% trypan blue	VWR, Radnor, USA	152-5061
1.5 mL microcentrifuge tube	USA Scientific, Ocala, USA	1615-5510
10 mL serological pipet	VWR, Radnor, USA	89130-898
1000 μL TipOne pipet tips	USA Scientific, Ocala, USA	1111-2821
15 mL  Centrifuge tube	VWR, Radnor, USA	89039-664
20 μL TipOne pipet tips	USA Scientific, Ocala, USA	1120-1810
200 μL TipOne pipet tips	USA Scientific, Ocala, USA	1120-8810
25 mL serological pipet	VWR, Radnor, USA	89130-900
5 mL serological pipet	VWR, Radnor, USA	89130-896
50 mL Centrifuge tube	VWR, Radnor, USA	89039-662
Accutase solution 500 mL	Sigma, St. Louis, USA	A6964
Antibiotic Antimycotic Solution (100x), stabilized	Sigma, St. Louis, USA	A5955-100 mL	with 10,000 units penicillin, 10 mg of streptomycin and 25 μg of amphotericin B per mL, sterile-filtered, BioReagent, suitable for cell culture
Binder CO2 Incubator	VWR, Radnor, USA	C170-ULE3
CytoOne T-75cm flask with filter cap	USA Scientific, Ocala, USA	CC7682-4875
Dulbecco’s Phosphate Buffered Saline (PBS)	Sigma, St. Louis, USA	D8537-500 mL	PBS without calcium chloride and magnesium chloride should be used, since both can alter macrophage polarization
Eppendorf Centrifuge 5804 R (refrigerated)	Eppendorf, Enfield, USA	-
Ethyl alcohol (70%)	-	-
FACSCalibur flow cytometer	BD Biosciences, San Diego, USA	-	The flow cytometer operates with CellQuest software (BD Biosciences)
Falcon 24-well plate	VWR, Radnor, USA	353504
Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS)	ATCC, Manassas, USA	30-2020
FITC Mouse Anti-Human CD14	BD Biosciences, San Diego, USA	555397	Flow cytometry, myeloid cell marker (100 tests)
FITC Mouse Anti-Human CD80	BD Pharmingen, San Diego, USA	557226	Flow cytometry, M1 marker (100 tests)
FITC Mouse IgG1 κ Isotype Control	BD Pharmingen, San Diego, USA	555748	Flow cytometry, isotype control for CD80 (100 tests)
FITC Mouse IgG2a, κ Isotype Control	BD Biosciences, San Diego, USA	553456	Flow cytometry, isotype control for CD14 (100 tests)
Human BD Fc Block	BD Biosciences, San Diego, USA	564220	Flow cytometry, Fc block (0.25 mg)
Human interleukin 13 (IL-13)	R&D, Minneapolis, USA	IL-771-10 μg
Human interleukin 4 (IL-4)	R&D, Minneapolis, USA	SRP3093-20 μg
Labconco Biosafety Cabinet (Delta Series 36212/36213)	Labconco, Kansas City, USA	-
L-Glutamine Solution, 200 mM	ATCC, Manassas, USA	30-2214
Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from E. coli 0111:B4	Sigma, St. Louis, USA	L2630-100 mg
Mini Cell Scrapers	Biotium, Fremont, USA	22003
Neubauer hemocytometer	Fisher Scientific, Waltham, USA	02-671-5
Nikon Eclipse inverted microscope TS100	Nikon, Melville, USA	-
Nuclease-free water	Invitrogen, Carlsbad, USA	AM9937
Olympus Light Microscope RH-2	Microscope Central, Feasterville, USA	40888
P10 variable pipet- Gilson	VWR, Radnor, USA	76180-014
P1000 variable pipet-Gilson	VWR, Radnor, USA	76177-990
P200 variable pipet- Gilson	VWR, Radnor, USA	76177-988
PE Mouse Anti-Human CD11b	BD Biosciences, San Diego, USA	555388	Flow cytometry, myeloid cell marker (100 tests)
PE Mouse IgG1, κ Isotype Control	BD Biosciences, San Diego, USA	555749	Flow cytometry, isotype control for CD11b (100 tests)
PE-Cy 5 Mouse Anti-Human CD206	BD Pharmingen, San Diego, USA	551136	Flow cytometry, M2 marker (100 tests)
PE-Cy 5 Mouse IgG1 κ Isotype Control	BD Pharmingen, San Diego, USA	555750	Flow cytometry, isotype control for CD206 (100 tests)
Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)	Sigma, St. Louis, USA	P8139
Powerpette Plus pipettor	VWR, Radnor, USA	75856-448
Precision Water bath (model 183)	Precision Scientific, Chicago, USA	66551
RPMI-1640 Medium	ATCC, Manassas, USA	30-2001
THP-1 cell line, American Type Culture Collection (ATCC)	ATCC, Manassas, USA	TIB-202