Regulation of macrophage production of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) by hypoxia and transforming growth factor β-1

Background: Breast tumors contain high numbers of infiltrating macrophages. The role and function of these cells within the tumor remain unclear, but a number of studies have found an association between poor prognosis and macrophage content in human breast cancer. Both hypoxia and TGFβ-1 have been shown to regulate VEGF in other cell types. We hypothesized that breast tumor-associated macrophages produce VEGF and that macrophage production of this factor is regulated by both hypoxia and TGFβ-1. Methods: Paraffin-embedded breast tumor sections were stained immunohistochemically with anti-VEGF, anti-CD68, and anti-cytokeratin. Monocytes were matured for 3 days in 20% autologous plasma and activated with 1000 U/mL interferon-γ for 24 hours. Supernatants were assayed for VEGF protein by ELISA. Total RNA was isolated from cells and reverse transcribed to cDNA, which was used as a template in PCR reactions for VEGF and β-actin. Results: Both tumor cells and tumor macrophages produce VEGF in human breast tumors. Hypoxia increases VEGF protein and mRNA levels in monocyte-derived macrophages, whereas TGFβ- 1 increases VEGF protein but not mRNA under hypoxic growth conditions. Conclusions: Breast tumor-associated macrophages may contribute to the angiogenic activity of human breast tumors by producing VEGF. Macrophage production of VEGF is upregulated by hypoxia and TGFβ-1, both of which occur in the tumor environment. Macrophage production of VEGF is regulated at both the mRNA and protein levels.