Tumor-associatedmacrophages (TAMs) display pro-tumorigenic phenotypes for supportingtumor progression in response to microenvironmental cues imposed bytumor and stromal cells. However, the underlying mechanisms by whichtumor cells instruct TAM behavior remain elusive. The investigatorshere uncover that tumor-cell-derived glucosylceramide stimulatedunconventional endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress responses byinducing reshuffling of lipid composition and saturation on the ERmembrane in macrophages.

Aspart of the study, a comparison of culture media (CM) with andwithout lipids (woLip) was made. Thearticle states “To generate culture media without lipids, …CM wastreated with Cleanascite according to the manufacturer’sinstructions.”. The authorsuncover the unexpected roles of tumor-cell-produced lipids thatsimultaneously orchestrate macrophage polarization and survival intumors via induction of ER stress responses and reveal therapeutictargets for sustaining host antitumor immunity.

“Itsvery rewarding to see how Cleanascite™ can enhance cancer researchassociated with the selective removal of lipids. Cleanascite™ is anaqueous suspension product without harmful solvents, or any othernon-specificcytotoxic effects.As you see from this data, it ultimately helps researchersinvestigate how lipids impart characteristic changes in cells. Thisarticle exemplifies such utility.” states Swapan Roy, Ph.D.,President and Founder of Biotech Support Group