ETS1 Deficiency in Macrophages Suppresses Colorectal Cancer Progression by Reducing the F4/80+TIM4+ Macrophage Population

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) take on pivotal and complex roles in the tumor microenvironment (TME); however, their heterogeneity in the TME remains incompletely understood. ETS proto-oncogene 1 (ETS1) is a transcription factor that is mainly expressed in lymphocytes. However, its expression and immunoregulatory role in colorectal cancer (CRC)-associated macrophages remain unclear. In the study, the expression levels of ETS1 in CD68+ macrophages in the CRC microenvironment were significantly higher than those in matched para-carcinoma tissues. Importantly, ETS1 increased the levels of chemokines C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) and C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 10 (CXCL10) in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated THP-1 cells. It also boosted the migration and invasion of CRC cells during the in vitro co-culture. In ETS1 conditional knockout mouse model, ETS1 deficiency in macrophages ameliorated the histological changes in DSS-induced ulcerative colitis mouse models and prolonged the survival in an azomethane/dextran sodium sulfate (AOM/DSS)-induced CRC model. ETS1 deficiency in macrophages substantially inhibited tumor formation, reduced F4/80+TIM4+ macrophages in the mesenteric lymph nodes, and decreased CCL2 and CXCL10 protein levels in tumor tissues. Moreover, ETS1 deficiency in macrophages effectively prevented liver metastasis of CRC and reduced the infiltration of TAMs into the metastasis sites. Subsequent studies have indicated that ETS1 upregulated the expression of T-cell immunoglobulin mucin receptor 4 in macrophages through the signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 signaling pathway activated by the autocrine action of CCL2/CXCL10. Collectively, ETS1 deficiency in macrophages potentiates antitumor immune responses by repressing CCL2 and CXCL10 expression, shedding light on potential therapeutic strategies for CRC.