Lxr Signaling Regulates Macrophage Survival and Phenotype Polarization Response To Ionizing Radiation

Abstract

Macrophages are a major cellular component of murine and human tumors, where they are commonly termed tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). Recent studies indicate that ionizing radiation not only polarizes macrophages towards a M1-like phenotype leading an effective antitumor response, but also decreases macrophage survival through a pyroptosis mechanism.The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of LXR in the response of macrophages to irradiation, analyzing both cell viability and functional activity of the macrophage, as a possiblestrategy focused to deplete TAMs or re-program them towards a M1-like phenotype, in the context of cancer treatment with radiotherapy.