Exosome-mediated miR-33 transfer induces M1 polarization in mouse macrophages and exerts antitumor effect in 4T1 breast cancer cell line

Macrophages are the most abundant tumor-infiltrating immune cells. Macrophages are conventionally classified as M1 or M2 types. M2 type is the dominant phenotype of macrophages in the tumor microenvironment. M2 macrophages support different aspects of tumor development, including tumor formation, growth, and metastasis. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been demonstrated to regulate numerous cellular processes, including macrophage polarization. To determine whether miR-33 containing exosomes can alter macrophage polarization, we used the exosomes isolated from 4T1 breast cancer cells to deliver miR-33 mimic into IL-4 induced M2 macrophages and treated macrophages with 4T1-conditioned media. Then, we assayed the expression of M1 specific markers and the production of cytokines using real-time PCR and ELISA, respectively. Additionally, we performed MTT, migration, and invasion assays to detect the effect of miRNA-mediated macrophage repolarization on cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. The results of this study showed that miR-33 containing exosomes could convert M2 to M1 phenotype as indicated by an increase in expression of M1 markers, including Irf5, Nos2, and CD86, and a decrease in M2 markers including Arg, Ym1, and CD206. Furthermore, the secretion of TNF-α and IL-1β as M1 specific cytokines increased, while the secretion of IL-10 and TGF-β as M2 specific cytokines decreased. Incubation of 4T1 cells with conditioned media of treated macrophages showed reduced proliferation, invasion, and migration of these cells. So, our data suggests that exosomes can be used as an efficient nanocarrier for miR-33 delivery into macrophages. Also, miR-33 is capable of inducing M1 polarization in macrophages, which is essential for suppressing tumor growth and metastasis.