Mechanism (biology)

Gene

Cell biology

Philosophy

Magnetite

Amino acid

Biology

Mineralogy

Arginine

Iron oxide

Signal transduction

Macrophage polarization

Cancer research

Biochemistry

Paleontology

Organic chemistry

In vitro

Macrophage

Epistemology

Iron oxide nanoparticles

Chemistry

Arginase

Hematite

Phenotype

Journal of the American Chemical Society

Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) have emerging anticancer applications via polarizing tumor-associated macrophages from tumor-promoting phenotype (M2) to tumor-suppressing phenotype (M1). However, the underlying mechanism and structure–function relationship remain unclear. We report magnetite IONPs are more effective compared to hematite in M1 polarization and tumor suppression. Moreover, magnetite IONPs specifically rely on interferon regulatory factor 5 signaling pathway for M1 polarization and down-regulate M2-assoicated arginase-1. This study provides new understandings and paves the way for designing advanced iron-based anticancer technologies.

Mechanism of Iron Oxide-Induced Macrophage Activation: The Impact of Composition and the Underlying Signaling Pathway