1. Naive primary neutrophils play a dual role in the tumor microenvironment.
- Author
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Babatunde KA, Datta R, Hendrikse NW, Ayuso JM, Huttenlocher A, Skala MC, Beebe DJ, and Kerr SC
- Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) is characterized by a network of cancer cells, recruited immune cells, and extracellular matrix (ECM). However, the specific role of neutrophils during tumor development, and their interactions with other immune cells is still not well understood. Here, we use both standard well plate culture and an under oil microfluidic (UOM) assay with an integrated ECM bridge to elucidate how naive primary neutrophils respond to tumor cells. Our data demonstrated that tumor cells trigger cluster formation in neutrophils accompanied with the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) release. Using label-free optical metabolic imaging (OMI), we observed changes in the metabolic activities of primary neutrophils during the different clustering phases when challenged with tumor cells. Finally, our data demonstrates that neutrophils in direct contact, or in close proximity, with tumor cells exhibit greater metabolic activities compared to non-contact neutrophils., Competing Interests: D.J.B. holds equity in Bellbrook Labs LLC, Tasso Inc., Salus Discovery LLC, Lynx Biosciences Inc., Stacks to the Future LLC, Turba LLC, Flambeau Diagnostics LLC, and Onexio Biosystems LLC. D.J.B. is also a consultant for Abbott Laboratories., (© 2024 The Author(s).)
- Published
- 2024
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