3D in vitro M2 macrophage model to mimic modulation of tissue repair.
basic_science · Level V
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 34848722.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1038/s41536-021-00193-5 and PMC identifier 8633361.
- Licence recorded as CC BY.
- The licence permits redistribution, so the abstract is shown in full and the full text is available from the publisher.
Abstract
Distinct anti-inflammatory macrophage (M2) subtypes, namely M2a and M2c, are reported to modulate the tissue repair process tightly and chronologically by modulating fibroblast differentiation state and functions. To establish a well-defined three-dimensional (3D) cell culture model to mimic the tissue repair process, we utilized THP-1 human monocytic cells and a 3D collagen matrix as a biomimetic tissue model. THP-1 cells were differentiated into macrophages, and activated using IL-4/IL-13 (M<sub>IL-4/IL-13</sub>) and IL-10 (M<sub>IL-10</sub>). Both activated macrophages were characterized by both their cell surface marker expression and cytokine secretion profile. Our cell characterization suggested that M<sub>IL-4/IL-13</sub> and M<sub>IL-10</sub> demonstrate M2a- and M2c-like subtypes, respectively. To mimic the initial and resolution phases during the tissue repair, both activated macrophages were co-cultured with fibroblasts and myofibroblasts. We showed that M<sub>IL-4/IL-13</sub> were able to promote matrix synthesis and remodeling by induction of myofibroblast differentiation via transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-β1). On the contrary, M<sub>IL-10</sub> demonstrated the ability to resolve the tissue repair process by dedifferentiation of myofibroblast via IL-10 secretion. Overall, our study demonstrated the importance and the exact roles of M2a and M2c-like macrophage subtypes in coordinating tissue repair in a biomimetic model. The established model can be applied for high-throughput platforms for improving tissue healing and anti-fibrotic drugs testing, as well as other biomedical studies.