Tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) and tumor progression: functional plasticity and progression-dependent TAM target molecules in malignant melanoma (H)

• Subject Area: Hematology, Oncology
• Term: from 2011 to 2015
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 178696424

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) promote tumor growth. During the current funding period, we identified the CD20 homolog Ms4a8a as a novel marker molecule of Stabilin-1/LYVE-1+ M2 TAM. Ms4a8a enhances the immunomodulatory effects of M2 macrophages and directly supports tumor growth in vivo. In the next funding period, we will evaluate the tumor promoting role of defined TAM subpopulations by testing the impact of soluble as well as membrane bound LYVE-1, targeting defined TAM subpopulations in vivo and by modulating specific gene regulatory mechanisms in TAM.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 938: Environment Specific Control of Immunological Reactivity
• Applicant Institution: Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg
• Project Head: Professor Dr. Sergij Goerdt