SUMMARY Macrophages frequently infiltrate tumors and can enhance cancer growth, yet the origins of the macrophage response are not well understood. Here we address molecular mechanisms of macrophage production in a conditional mouse model of lung adenocarcinoma. We report that over-production of the peptide hormone Angiotensin II (AngII) in tumor-bearing mice amplifies self-renewing hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and macrophage progenitors. The process occurred in the spleen but not the bone marrow, and was independent of hemodynamic changes. The effects of AngII required direct hormone ligation on HSCs, depended on S1P1 signaling, and allowed the extramedullary tissue to supply new tumor-associated macrophages throughout cancer progression. Conversely, blocking AngII production prevented cancer-induced HSC and macrophage progenitor amplification and thus restrained the macrophage response at its source. These findings indicate that AngII acts upstream of a potent macrophage amplification program and that tumors can remotely exploit the hormone’s pathway to stimulate cancer-promoting immunity.

No abstract

Blastocystis is an enteric protozoan purportedly associated with numerous clinical cases of diarrhea, flatulence, vomiting, and other gastrointestinal symptoms. Despite new knowledge of Blastocystis cell biology, genetic diversity, and epidemiology, its pathogenic potential remains controversial. Numerous clinical and epidemiological studies either implicate or exonerate the parasite as a cause of intestinal disease. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the pathogenic potential of Blastocystis by studying the interactions of Blastocystis ratti WR1, an isolate of zoonotic potential, with a nontransformed rat intestinal epithelial cell line, IEC-6. Here, we report that B. ratti WR1 induces apoptosis in IEC-6 cells in a contact-independent manner. Furthermore, we found that B. ratti WR1 rearranges F-actin distribution, decreases transepithelial resistance, and increases epithelial permeability in IEC-6 cell monolayers. In addition, we found that the effects of B. ratti on transepithelial electrical resistance and epithelial permeability were significantly abrogated by treatment with metronidazole, an antiprotozoal drug. Our results suggest for the first time that Blastocystis-induced apoptosis in host cells and altered epithelial barrier function might play an important role in the pathogenesis of Blastocystis infections and that metronidazole has therapeutic potential in alleviating symptoms associated with Blastocystis.