Frontiers in Oncology (Jul 2021)

CCL2: An Important Mediator Between Tumor Cells and Host Cells in Tumor Microenvironment

  • Jiakang Jin,
  • Jiakang Jin,
  • Jinti Lin,
  • Jinti Lin,
  • Ankai Xu,
  • Ankai Xu,
  • Jianan Lou,
  • Jianan Lou,
  • Chao Qian,
  • Chao Qian,
  • Xiumao Li,
  • Xiumao Li,
  • Yitian Wang,
  • Wei Yu,
  • Wei Yu,
  • Huimin Tao

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fonc.2021.722916
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 11

Abstract

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Tumor microenvironment (TME) formation is a major cause of immunosuppression. The TME consists of a considerable number of macrophages and stromal cells that have been identified in multiple tumor types. CCL2 is the strongest chemoattractant involved in macrophage recruitment and a powerful initiator of inflammation. Evidence indicates that CCL2 can attract other host cells in the TME and direct their differentiation in cooperation with other cytokines. Overall, CCL2 has an unfavorable effect on prognosis in tumor patients because of the accumulation of immunosuppressive cell subtypes. However, there is also evidence demonstrating that CCL2 enhances the anti-tumor capability of specific cell types such as inflammatory monocytes and neutrophils. The inflammation state of the tumor seems to have a bi-lateral role in tumor progression. Here, we review works focusing on the interactions between cancer cells and host cells, and on the biological role of CCL2 in these processes.

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