Abstract:
Objective This study aimed to identify potential prognostic and biotherapeutic targets for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) by investigating the regulatory effects of M1/M2 macrophages on OSCC progression and their underlying mechanisms.
Methods The effects of M1/M2 macrophages on the proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis of SCC-15 cells were examined. Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the expression of CD68 and M2 macrophage marker proteins in human OSCC tissue microarrays, and their correlations with clinicopathological features were analyzed.
Results M1 macrophages promoted apoptosis of SCC-15 cells while inhibiting their proliferation, migration, and invasion. In contrast, M2 macrophages exhibited the opposite effects. The infiltration density of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in OSCC tissues was significantly positively correlated (P<0.05) with lymph node metastasis.
Conclusions M1 macrophages suppress OSCC progression, whereas M2 macrophages promote it.